When Did NBA Shorts Get Longer?
A look at the history of NBA shorts, from the early days of the league to the present day.
The History of NBA Shorts
The NBA has seen a lot of changes over the years, but one of the most noticeable changes has been the length of player’s shorts. They have gradually gotten longer, and now some players even wear shorts that go down to their knees. Let’s take a look at the history of NBA shorts and how they got to where they are today.
The Early Days: Shorts Are Short
The first recorded instance of shorts being worn in an NBA game was on October 26, 1946, by the Indianapolis Olympians’ Ralph Beard and Bob bite. They took the court in satin warm-up shorts that came down to their mid-thighs, a style that would come to be known as “bloomers.” The bloomer look wasn’t just for players—coaches, trainers, and even some fans wore them during games in those early days.
The Magic Johnson Era: Shorts Get Longer
In the 1976-1977 season, the average NBA player’s shorts went from falling just above the knee to, well, quite a bit longer. This dramatic change in fashion coincided with the ABA-NBA merger, which brought four new teams into the league: the New York Nets, the Denver Nuggets, the Indiana Pacers, and the San Antonio Spurs. The four new teams were known as the “long shorts teams” because they all adopted the ABA’s style of longer shorts. The four old NBA teams—the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns—stuck with their shorter shorts.
The Modern Era: Shorts Are Longer Than Ever
In the modern era, NBA shorts have gotten progressively longer. In fact, they are now longer than they have ever been in the history of the league. This trend began in the early 2000s and has continued through to today. There are a number of reasons why this trend began, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
The first reason why NBA shorts got longer is due to a change in the league’s rules. In 2001, the NBA implemented a new rule that prohibited players from wearing shorts that were more than four inches above the knee. This rule was put in place in order to promote a more professional image for the league. In addition, it was felt that shorter shorts were inappropriate for a family-friendly environment.
The second reason why NBA shorts got longer is due to a change in player fashion sensibilities. In the early 2000s, there was a general trend among professional athletes to start wearing longer shorts. This trend was started by players in other sports like tennis and soccer, and eventually made its way to basketball. Many players began to feel that longer shorts were more comfortable and stylish than shorter ones.
The third reason why NBA shorts got longer is due to changes in manufacturering techniques. In the past, it was difficult to make basketball shorts that were long enough without them being too baggy. However, advances in fabric technology have made it much easier for manufacturers to make basketball shorts that are both long and fitted. This has allowed players to enjoy the benefits of long shorts without having to sacrifice comfort or style.
The Reasons for the Change
Ever wonder why NBA players’ shorts got so much longer? There are a few reasons for the change. The first reason is that longer shorts simply look better than shorter shorts. They are more flattering and provide a better range of motion. The second reason is that longer shorts are more comfortable.
The Fashion Factor
The evolution of the NBA uniform has been a long and winding one, with various changes being made in an attempt to update the look of the league and appeal to a newer generation of fans. In recent years, one of the most notable changes has been the lengthening of players’ shorts. While shorts used to hover around the mid-thigh area, they are now much longer, often extending down to the knees. So why did this change occur?
There are a few reasons that have been cited for the switch to longer shorts. One is simply that it is a more flattering look for many players, especially those with larger thighs. Additionally, longer shorts can help players avoid injuries, as they provide more coverage and support for the legs. Finally, longer shorts simply allow for more freedom of movement, which can be beneficial when trying to make a quick move on the court.
Whatever the reason for this fashion change may be, it doesn’t seem like NBA players will be going back to shorter shorts anytime soon.
The Functional Factor
The main functional reason for the change was players’ comfort. In the 1990s, as Michael Jordan and shorts got longer, the trend was also being driven by a new generation of European players who were more comfortable with longer shorts. This was due to the fact that in Europe, soccer players typically wore longer shorts, and many of these European players were coming into the NBA.
The Marketing Factor
When looking for an answer to the question of when NBA shorts got longer, one of the most likely explanations is that it was simply a marketing decision. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the NBA was working hard to shed its image as a league full of thugs and criminals. In order to do that, they realized they needed to appeal to a wider audience.
One way to do that was to make their players look more like “regular” guys. That meant getting rid of the tattoos, baggy clothes, and cornrows in favour of a more clean-cut look. And part of that clean-cut look was longer shorts. Shorts that came down to at least the knees, if not further.
It’s worth noting that while the NBA was making this change, the WNBA was also launching. And one of the things that league did differently was dress its players in more traditional “women’s” clothing, including shorter shorts. It’s possible that the NBA didn’t want to be seen as copying the WNBA, so they settled on a happy compromise: longer shorts for men, shorter shorts for women.
The Future of NBA Shorts
In the early 2000s, the NBA made a change that would forever alter the landscape of the game – they allowed players to wear shorts that went down to their knees. This was a major shift from the traditional short shorts that had been the norm up until that point, and it had a profound effect on the game. NBA shorts have gotten progressively longer since then, and there is no sign of that trend slowing down. Let’s take a look at the reasons behind this trend and what the future of NBA shorts may hold.
Will Shorts Get Even Longer?
The reason why players started wearing longer shorts was practicality. When NBA players first started wearing them, they found that the longer shorts allowed them to run and jump more easily. They also offered more protection from injuries. The extra fabric also allowed for better ventilation, which was important given the high-intensity nature of basketball games.
It’s worth noting that, while players may have started wearing longer shorts for practical reasons, they soon became a fashion statement as well. In the 1990s, “baggy” clothes were all the rage, and basketball players were no exception. Wearing long shorts became a way for players to show their individual style on the court.
These days, it seems like NBA players can pretty much wear whatever they want when it comes to their shorts. We’ve seen everything from traditional long shorts to short shorts to even leggings worn during games. It’s safe to say that the days of worrying about your shorts being too long or too short are long gone.
So what does the future hold for NBA shorts? Will they continue to get longer? Or will we see a return to shorter lengths? Only time will tell. For now, we can enjoy the fact that players have the freedom to choose whatever length they feel comfortable with.
Will Shorts Get Shorter Again?
It’s hard to say if the current trend of longer shorts is here to stay or if they will eventually get shorter again. It really depends on the whims of fashion and what the next generation of NBA players prefers. However, it seems likely that the trend towards longer shorts will continue, at least for the foreseeable future. So if you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, you may want to start investing in some longer shorts!
Only Time Will Tell
Only time will tell what the future of NBA shorts will be. They have been getting longer over the past few years, and it is not clear if this trend will continue. Some players have even started to wear Bermuda-length shorts, which are even longer than the traditional NBA shorts. It is possible that the NBA will eventually adopt a uniform rule specifying a maximum length for shorts, or they may leave it up to the individual players to decide how long their shorts should be. In any case, it will be interesting to see how this trend develops in the coming years.
