In past years, the NBA on Christmas Day uniforms were very avant-garde and experimental. However, the 2015 edition is more traditional and conservative.
I wrote a piece on these big occasion unis and the Chicago Bulls players’ reaction to them for the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition.
The article features feedback and insight from Doug McDermott, Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson. You can read the full piece here, but below is a snippet:
Playing on Christmas means donning special-edition uniforms. This year’s design has a sharp cursive script on the front of the standard tank top.
“They’re sweet-looking,” forward Doug McDermott said. “They have that vintage feel; I think they’ll look good. They’re hyping up these Christmas Day games pretty high, so you better have some good uniforms. The new ball this year is a little different, so we’re already starting to shoot around with that.”
The 2014 jersey had an unconventional layout, with a small team logo above a large number on the front. The back featured the name plate below the number instead of above, which was a sharp contrast to the teams’ everyday uniforms.
This isn’t like past years, when Nike produced a shoe with a curled horn sticking at the toe. Like the latest edition of the Star Wars franchise, the creators played it safe, sticking to their bread and butter here. The NBA sometimes uses Christmas has a laboratory to experiment with wild designs and different ideas.
Not this case this year.
Here are a couple more photos of the NBA Christmas jerseys and NBA Christmas uniforms
Really cool how the Portland Trail Blazers have a throwback look and the Los Angeles Lakers have a retro image that evokes the old days of the Minneapolis Lakers. We’re definitely in for a treat here with the NBA on Christmas Day.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. The website is also featured on News Now.
Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye. He also appears regularly on numerous television and radio talk shows all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 The Zone.