The New York Liberty sure knows how to flaunt their victories in style. After securing a win against the Las Vegas Aces in the 2024 WNBA semis by 76-62, Liberty’s social media decided to rub a little salt in the wound. Rather than just the usual victory post, they went full-on NYC by adding the iconic Timberlands.

Clearly, it shows that it wasn’t just about winning for them. It was about making a statement. And, speaking of statements, the Liberty didn’t just reach the finals—they strutted in with domination. But why did they choose the Timberlands, and what does this footwear mean to New Yorkers and even the NBA?

Liberty ‘stomps’ their way to the finals

The Liberty has advanced to the WNBA Finals for the second consecutive year after taking down the LV Aces, crashing their three-peat hopes. Sabrina Ionescu led the Liberty with a game-high 22 points, while Breanna Stewart contributed 19 points and 14 rebounds. Right after the victory, Liberty’s Twitter (X) posted a picture of the Aces’ logo with a pair of Timbs on top, captioned, “clears throat* YERRRRRRRRRRRRRR 🗽”

If you think about New York, Timberlands, also called ‘Timbs,’ are probably among the first things that come to mind. More than just boots, they’re an emblem of the city’s tough attitude, working-class roots, and street culture. The story of Timberlands in NYC goes way back to the ‘80s when these durable work boots somehow made their way from construction sites to the feet of hip-hop legends. 

In a city that prides itself on grit, Timbs became a symbol of authenticity. Basically, a must-have for anyone trying to represent the NYC streets. You could spot them everywhere, from street corners to stages and half of the credit goes to hip-hop legends Biggie and Nas, who made them part of their signature look. 

Fast-forward to today, Timberlands are still the go-to footwear for many New Yorkers. They are synonymous with attitude, which perfectly represents Liberty’s journey to the WNBA Finals. In their victory post, the 2024 finalists knew what they were doing. It wasn’t just about saying they won; it was more about saying they won as ‘The New Yorkers,’ loud and proud. But this isn’t the first time the Timberlands have popped up in basketball. 

Timberlands: The unofficial MVP of NBA style

Timbs has some history with the NBA as well. If you look back, NBA players, especially those from NYC, have always had a thing for fashion—and Timberlands. For instance, Allen Iverson, the man who brought street style into the league in a big way, was often spotted in Timbs. 

And then there’s the draft night tradition: The rookies from New York almost always find a way to incorporate Timberlands into their look. And how can we forget that these boots were also a favorite of Carmelo Anthony, who spent years with the New York Knicks and embraced the city’s culture. He was often seen donning Timbs when he wasn’t on the court. The NBA has surely evolved since then, but the presence of Timberlands hasn’t faded. 

The brand has been part of the NBA and has even collaborated to create unique footwear. During the 2019 NBA All-Star weekend, it launched a collection of boots inspired by several NBA teams, including the Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers. 

With time, the Timbs introduced a second collection featuring boots themed around the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Toronto Raptors. These limited-edition boots are designed with the teams’ primary colors and logos. All in all, it has now become a way of life for the people of NY. It’s no wonder that Liberty chose to link its success to the Timbs.