NEW YORK - Amidst a night of monumental trades, swirling rumors, and long-suffering Knicks fans bemoaning yet another first-round draft pick, there was a bow tie in Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.

Yes, Oklahoma City Thunder first-round draft pick James Harden wore a bow tie to the NBA Draft.

• 2009 NBA Draft Central
• Draft Tracker: See all the picks
• Clippers take Griffin at No. 1

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FOXSports.com analysis

• Goodman: Draft winners and losers
• NBADraft.net: Pick-by-pick analysis
• Goodman: Italy pays off for Jennings
• Schrager: Fun suits are out of style

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Video

• Goodman: Analyzing top 5 picks
• Hear from Griffin, Thabeet, Harden

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Photos

• 2009 NBA Draft Night
• Draft fashion disasters

Whitaker points to the Internet as the central reason for the gradual extinction of unique Draft Day get-ups.

"The Internet has become the great informer," he says. "It's pretty easy to find photos and galleries of all the worst suits in Draft Day history, and these days guys don't want to be remembered for dressing like Mr. Blackwell's nightmare."

Indeed, players are now more aware than ever that every public move they make will end up on a blog, someone's Facebook page, or a couch potato's Twitter feed. One bad decision, whether it be a keg stand photo at a frat party or wearing brown shoes with a black suit, can cost a player credibility and ultimately, millions in marketing dollars.

Liz Sowden, head of marketing for the classy high-end men's store Thomas Pink, says it's not just NBA draft picks looking their finest these days. It's all men, across the board.

"Today's man is placing a strong emphasis on his appearance and wardrobe," she says. "He recognizes that looking sharp exudes confidence and strength."

But what about Samaki?! Did a white suit and matching hat not exude confidence and strength?

"NBA Draft Day is the beginning of a highly anticipated career for these men," adds Sowden. "If they look exceptional on that night, the poise and fortitude they project will give the right impression about their attitude and capability. Conversely, a less-than-sharp appearance could give the impression that they've dropped the ball. In more than one sense."

Don't get me wrong. Joakim Noah wore some interesting digs in 2007, and Drew Gooden's 2002 no-button look was worthy of a good vomit session. But for the most part, those days are behind us.

Like the Knicks fans in attendance at the Garden, I walked away a bit disappointed Thursday night.

The evening officially marked the end of an era. Sure, there was a bow-tie, but it didn't spin in circles. There were no cheesy polka dots covering it. Hell, it looked fantastic.

I guess it's just time we face the music. The days of the exotic NBA draft suits are officially done.

Where have you gone, Samaki Walker?