Why Did NBA Players Wear Goggles?

Why did some NBA players start wearing goggles during games? There are a few reasons why players may have decided to don the protective eyewear, including avoiding eye injuries and improving vision.

Introduction

The 1990s saw the dawn of a new era in the NBA. Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dominated the league, winning six championships in eight years. Along with Jordan, a new generation of players was making its mark on the league. These players were taller, faster, and more athletic than their predecessors. They also had anrcurately stylized look that set them apart from their counterparts in other professional sports leagues. One of the most distinctive features of this new breed of NBA player was the wearing of protective goggles during games.

Goggles became popular among NBA players in the early 1990s as a means of reducing eye injuries. At the time, many players were wearing contact lenses, which put them at risk for corneal abrasions if they took a finger to the eye. Goggles provided a measure of protection against such injuries. In addition, some players found that goggles helped reduce glare from arena lights, making it easier to see the court and track the ball.

The trend reached its peak in 1996, when a then-record 19% of NBA players wore goggles during games. Among the most notable wearers were Shaquille O’Neal, Anfernee Hardaway, and Reggie Miller. By 1999, however, the number of players wearing goggles had declined to just 7%. The following year, Shaq famously ditched his goggles during the NBA Finals, and they have largely fallen out of favor since then.

Today, only a handful of NBA players still wear goggles during games. Among them are Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz and Deandre Ayton of rhe Phoenix Suns. So why did so many players wear them in the 1990s? And why have they largely fallen out of favor in recent years?

The Early Days of the NBA

In the early days of the NBA, players didn’t wear protective gear like they do today. This was partly because the league was new and players were still figuring out what worked and what didn’t. Goggles were one of the first pieces of protective gear that players began to experiment with.

One of the earliest adopters of goggles was George Mikan, who is widely considered one of the best players in NBA history. Mikan began wearing goggles in the 1950s to protect his eyes from other players’ fingers. He found that they helped him see the court better, and he continued to wear them throughout his career.

Other players followed suit, and by the 1960s, goggles were a common sight on NBA courts. They were especially popular with big men, who often found themselves tangled up with other players in the paint. Wearing goggles allowed them to protect their eyes while still being able to see the court clearly.

Players continued to wear goggles throughout the 1970s and 1980s, but their popularity started to decline in the 1990s. This was due in part to changes in the game itself; as player athleticism increased, there were fewer opportunities for players to get their fingers in each other’s eyes. In addition, newer generations of NBA players were more resistant to wearing protective gear than their predecessors.

Goggles fell out of favor in the NBA over time, but they occasionally make a comeback when a player is looking for an edge on the court. In recent years, players like Kevin Durant and LeBron James have been known to wear them from time to time. No matter how popular they are at any given moment, it’s clear that goggles are here to stay as a part of NBA history.

The Modern NBA

In the modern NBA, many players have taken to wearing goggles during games to protect their eyes. This is especially common among players who wear contact lenses, as they are at risk of the lenses drying out and becoming uncomfortable during play. Goggles also provide protection from sweat and debris, and can help to prevent eye injuries.

The Benefits of Wearing Goggles

While the trend of NBA players wearing goggles may have started as a fashion statement, there are actually several benefits to wearing goggles on the court. For one, goggles help to protect players’ eyes from debris and sweat, which can cause irritations and potentially impair vision. In addition, the lenses of goggles can help to filter out bright lights, making it easier for players to see the court clearly.

Of course, not all players are equally comfortable wearing goggles, so it’s ultimately up to each individual to decide whether or not the benefits outweigh any potential drawbacks. However, with more and more players choosing to wear them, it’s safe to say that they’ve become a welcome addition to the game.

The Future of the NBA

Goggles became a common sight in the NBA in the early 2000s. Players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James popularized the look, and by the middle of the decade, more and more players were donning them. But why did NBA players start wearing goggles?

There are a few reasons. For one, goggles protect players’ eyes from getting hit by flying debris, like sweat or blood. They also help reduce glare from the arena lights, which can be especially helpful when playing under the bright lights of primetime games. Additionally, many players believe that wearing goggles can help reduce eye fatigue.

So far, there doesn’t seem to be any downside to wearing goggles. In fact, they may even have some benefits; a study published in 2015 found that basketball players who wore sunflower oil-based eye drops while playing had significantly less eye fatigue than those who didn’t use the drops.

So it looks like goggles are here to stay in the NBA. As long as they continue to help players see better on the court, there’s no reason to think that they’ll be going anywhere anytime soon.