Since the beginning of the NBA, every professional basketball player has worn the same thing. Only the designs and fabrics evolve over time. But what is certainly different is the popularity that these t-shirts get every year or even decade. Of course, 1980s-era jerseys would be more expensive today, if you can still spot any, while NBA jerseys now command a hefty price tag, too, due to the popularity of the players.
If you can remember when Michael Jordan was still in his early years playing basketball, his jerseys were a little tight at the top while his shorts were very short. Well, it’s also because in those days, basketball players were skinny and tall. The jerseys are now very baggy at the top while the shorts are obviously longer than before, this is probably due to the size of our NBA players now. It seems to be bigger and the buffer is more advantageous now than before. And well, they can’t really do spectacular and amazing moves if they’re wearing such a tight top. This is just one of the reasons why jerseys have changed.
One company that has been in the industry of making professional sports association jerseys is Mitchell & Ness. They have been established since 1904 and have licenses with Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Hockey League, and the National Basketball Association. They released their Hardwood Classics collection in 1998. And in May 2002, USA Today reported that the most popular NBA players for Mitchell & Ness are Julius Erving, then Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird. Isn’t it surprising that Jordan isn’t on the list? Perhaps it’s because during the prime of these basketball players, Jordan was still beginning his early years in the ball game.
