adidas Unveils 2017 NBA All-Star Jerseys
The brand’s last All-Star jerseys… Will the Nike era be any better?
Today, adidas Basketball has unveiled the 2017 NBA All-Star jerseys slated to be worn Sunday, February 19 in New Orleans. adidas has held the exclusive rights to the on-court apparel of all NBA teams, including the All-Star festivities, since 2006. Prior to that, Reebok controlled the hardwood, then a mix of Champion, Starter and Nike in the ’90s.
Over the last 10 years, adidas’s All-Star jerseys have been met with mixed emotions, mostly because of its strong deviation from the past. The early ’90s were known for the large stars, cacti and chili peppers, then, as the league was juggling apparel providers, All-Star jerseys were no more as players wore their regular team uniforms. Reebok took over the weekend festivities in 2003, creating a retro jersey from the mid-’80s as a tribute to Michael Jordan’s last ASG appearance. 2004 saw a modern twist to 03’s unis, and 2005 went full-on futuristic. adidas continued the modish vibes in 2006, introducing soccer-inspired sleeved jerseys, names below numbers, its logos in plain sight, mismatching color schemes, gradient hues, and KIA emblems, all over the last decade. With 2015’s super-minimalist unis likely taking the cake as the best from adidas, these new jerseys may just be its worst yet.
As a nod to the French-inspired ironwork displayed throughout the city of New Orleans, the carbon and red Western Conference, and light granite and blue Eastern Conference uniforms incorporate an aged metal treatment across the jersey font outlines and adidas logo. The full collection also features gray tear-away warm-up jackets displaying accomplishment badges to acknowledge the number of NBA All-Star appearances for each player and recognize winners of the game’s top accolades, including the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player. While the tribute to NOLA is admirable, it lacks any excitement. Then again, they may look much better worn with the court as a backdrop. Or so we hope.
Nike takes over for adidas this summer becoming the official on-court apparel provider of the NBA. And while we look forward to the next ten years of Nike innovation, it’s the Swoosh’s first attempt at the All-Star game that’s already marked on our calendar. Don’t let us down.
