StylePoints

A  few weeks back, I was asked to pen a guest piece for another, more prominent, blog about style and the NBA, that could be tied into the re-release of Rockin’ Steady: A Guide to Basketball and Cool, by Walt Frazier and Ira Berkow.  One might think a guy whose blog url is clydefrazierapproves.com would have read Rockin’ Steady, but somehow it eluded me.  Until it showed up in my mailbox yesterday, I had never read a word of it, and frankly had no idea what expect.

After tearing through the book in few hours, I’m still not quite sure what to make of it.  Equal parts  style guide, time capsule, basketball tutorial, and autobiography, Rockin’ Steady is one of the strangest books I’ve ever read.  I couldn’t begin to tell you where this thing fits under the Dewey Decimal or Library of Congress systems.  More than anything, it’s a glimpse into Walt “Clyde” Frazier’s mind, circa 1974.

Things I learned from Rockin’ Steady

• “Clyde” was a character, or rather an alter-ego.  This isn’t stated explicitly, but is definitely implied.
• The man had no problem driving a Rolls Royce in Manhattan traffic, except on game day, when he preferred to take the E train. 
• Clyde was so concerned with his on-court appearance, that he would tape his ankles while sitting in his underwear, so as not to crease his uniform before the game.
• His investment strategy was quite conservative; mostly municipal bonds.
• Walt smoked a pipe in college but as he put it,  “I gave it up when I became Clyde”
• Pre-Clyde Frazier preferred Ivy Style, rocking OCBDs, slim trousers and penny loafers.
• At press time, Clyde owned 49 custom suits.  His bespoke quirk? Pocketless trousers.

And most importantly I learned:

Rockin’ Steady is incomparably quirky, and a must read for any fans of seventies professional basketball.  The only thing that would have made it better is if Clyde had played in the ABA.