THE EVOLUTION OF BASKETBALL SHORTS: SHORT SHORTS VS. LONG SHORTS
One style evolution that hasn’t gone unnoticed are the changes in short length that have defined basketball culture throughout the years. As you probably know, basketball shorts started off really short. But then starting in the late 90s they got really long. And ever since the mid-2010s they’ve progressively shrunk down again – a great example of the cyclical nature of fashion. That has got us asking: what prompted those changes in short length in the first place and who were the pioneers responsible for those changes?
Style comes and goes, but basketball is forever…
We’ve seen a number of style trends sweep the NBA. Be it the birth and death of sleeved jerseys or the rise in popularity of performance gear like shooting sleeves and tights.
One style evolution that definitely hasn’t gone unnoticed are the changes in short length that have defined basketball culture throughout the years.
As you probably know, basketball shorts started off really short. But then starting in the late 90s they got really long. And ever since the mid-2010s they’ve progressively shrunk down again – a great example of the cyclical nature of fashion.
That has got us asking: what prompted those changes in short length in the first place and who were the pioneers responsible for those changes?
Let’s find out and settle the debate once and for all: Long Shorts vs. Short Shorts, take your pick!
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NBA Antiquity: Tiny Shorts
I don’t know what it feels like to wear a thong, but I imagine it feels something like what we had on in the first half. I felt violated and felt naked. It’s one thing to see films with guys wearing those things. … I’d rather stay warm, man.
Those were Kobe’s words when he was forced to play in tiny 80s throwback shorts in the Lakers vs. Celtics retro game in 2007. He was not impressed.
Just to imagine that for the majority of the NBA’s lifetime players were rocking their shorts this short!
From the time the league was founded in 1946, to when Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell were running things, all the way to Larry Bird and Isaiah Thomas' prime – players were practically playing in what are hot pants by today's standards.
That’s 4 decades of tiny shorts.
Making a Change: Zooming into the 2000s in Long Shorts
As the Fab Five’s influence made its way around the league, short shorts quickly died out. Only John Stockton stood his ground, becoming the torch-carrier for short shorts. But when he retired in 2003 short shorts retired with him and a long period of very long shorts ensued.
But after more than 15 years, we’re seeing short shorts making a comeback. A number of players have taken to them again: LeBron, Jalen Green, Jordan Poole, and Kelly Oubre, just to name a few. And especially amongst the younger generation, short shorts seem to be a growing trend. Many players can even be seen flipping over their waistband or rolling up their shorts to show off more of their legs.
Why are these players bringing back the short shorts? A number of reasons:
LeBron stated that he wanted to instill a more professional look in the NBA. Others like Kelly Oubre simply note that shorter shorts are more comfortable. Jalen Green likes that short shorts show off his leg tats. And let’s not forget that they're more functional than overly long shorts – pulling off a clean between the legs can be harder with a lot of loose fabric swinging around.
Verdict: Short Shorts vs. Long Shorts
With the renaissance of short shorts, it seems that we’ve reached a good compromise. Yes, they’re shorter than the shorts of the early 2000s, but they’re not nearly as short as those things Magic and Bird were rocking in the 80s.
But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you’re wearing short shorts or long shorts. What’s important is that you’re feeling comfortable and playing your best game.
So what do you prefer? Are you Team Short Shorts or Team Long Shorts?
No matter what you’re into, we’ve got you covered. Everything a hooper could want and need right here at KICKZ.com. Check out our selection of basketball and lifestyle shorts below and get yourself the pair that will have you swaggering up and down the court!