Cavaliers G J.R. Smith became the second NBA player this week to don an accessory from fashion company Supreme when he wore the brand's "shooting sleeve on his left arm" for Thursday night's nationally televised game against the Lakers, according to Joe Vardon on the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. Smith after the game said, "I thought it looked dope and matched our uniforms." Wizards F Kelly Oubre Jr. on Tuesday wore a Supreme leg sleeve and was told to remove it at halftime. However, Smith said that "no one with the Cavs told him to do the same." He added that he "didn't know if he'd be fined by the NBA" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 12/15). THE SCORE's Alex Wong reported Supreme has "evolved into the most popular streetwear brand in the world," and it was valued at $1B when The Carlyle Group "bought a minority stake in the company in October." It is "popular among NBA players," as Lakers G Jordan Clarkson, Lakers F Brandon Ingram and Suns G Devin Booker are among those that wear Supreme "on a regular basis." Raptors F OG Anunoby has used a "dark teal Supreme backpack for most of the season, and sported a Supreme x Playboy rugby shirt at a team social event in November." Wong noted it is "next to impossible to buy Supreme apparel at retail price," and products put for sale online often "sell out in seconds." Knicks F Kyle O'Quinn: "I wish there was more availability. Sometimes you lose interest when you just can't get it" (THESCORE.com, 12/14).
