REVIEW: A look at the NBA All-Star Jerseys from the last decade

Growing up during the golden age of basketball (MJs rise to stardom, the arrival of Shaq, Kobe, and eventually LeBron and Co.), the NBA All-Star Weekend was definitely must-see TV. From Larry’s 3-point proficiency to MJ’s hang time, February was really the start of the basketball calendar as we go through the festivities and eventually head on to the second half of the NBA season.

Aside from the memorable moments (Zach vs AG in 2016, Bad Boys + LeBron vs the West, Team Steph vs Team LeBron, etc), you cannot discount the Jerseys. For NBA players, donning an All-Star jersey is an honor bestowed on 24 of the best players in the League that year. Looking back at the archives, the looks on KG, Agent Zero, and other superstars looking at their All-Star jerseys for the first time is definitely a memorable one. Needless to say, these jerseys are as memorable as the plays and names you see on the court during the Midseason Classic.

As we are two weekends away from the 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago, with people getting in already on Online sports betting for the occasion as well as building hype in other ways, let’s take a look back at the All-Star Jerseys worn during the 2010s:

2010 NBA All-Star Weekend: Dallas

Considered one of the best jerseys made during the adidas era, the 2010 All-Star jerseys was the first time both teams wore solid-colored jerseys. The jerseys also had a huge star bleeding to the side of the jersey. As they say, it’s always bigger in Texas.

MVP: Dwyane Wade

2011 NBA All-Star Weekend: Los Angeles

The bright lights were back in Los Angeles for the 2011 All-Star Game. Taking inspiration from the glitz and glamor of La La Land, the bold lettering mimics the famous Hollywood sign, with the LA skyline embossed on to the lettering. One cool thing about the jerseys was that there was a diamond pattern that can be seen when hit with the arena lights (an ode to the game’s diamond anniversary).

MVP: Kobe Bryant

2012 NBA All-Star Game: Orlando

Orlando — a destination awash with tons of exciting tourist spots, theme parks, historical monuments, and not to forget the home of Orlando Magic. Such is the holiday spirit that families, groups and entourages are known to lease out accommodations for the whole summer. Landlords too have to be just as prepared; maybe take assistance of services like AAOA with respect to their rental properties. Welcome to sunny Orlando indeed! With the court to the street concept, Adidas took inspiration from the beach, vacation atmosphere of Orlando, Florida. The fonts were inspired by the ’92 All-Star Game (the last time the ASG was in Orlando), while the shorts were the lightest ever, as they were mixing basketball shorts and board shorts into one.

MVP: Kevin Durant

2013 NBA All-Star Game: Houston

H-Town. While this is the 2nd time in 7 years for ASW to be in Houston, adidas tried to capture the connection between the city and the space program. From the camo patterns of the jet planes that dot the sky, adidas embraced the aeronautical history and the speed of fighter jets for their jerseys.

MVP: Chris Paul

2014 NBA All-Star Weekend: New Orleans

Sleeves.

Just like the earlier jerseys of that season, adidas and the NBA incorporated sleeves for the All-Star uniforms. Taking inspiration from NOLA’s rich and unique culture, the vibrant colors of Mardi Gras was at the heart of 2014’s weekend. Both East and West jerseys had the fleur-de-lis on the chest (Louisian’s official symbol), while the E and W were cut out to identify the player’s conference. While most of the fans felt this was a miss, All-Star Games in NOLA are always the best.

MVP: Kyrie Irving

2015 NBA All-Star Weekend: New York

The game is back in Gotham. For the first since 1998, the All-Star Game was back in New York. adidas paid tribute to New York City’s basketball history and unique boroughs while personifying the city’s legacy as the mecca of sports, music and fashion. Going clean and timeless, the NBA went black and white for the jerseys. The five stars on the side of the jerseys represent the five boroughs of New York. This was also the first time the jerseys featured both first and last names of the player.

MVP: Russell Westbrook

2016 NBA All-Star Weekend: Toronto

From Gotham to the 6ix.

For the first time in League history, the NBA All-Star Weekend was played outside of the United States. Toronto played host to the weekend’s festivities and adidas decided to go clean and Canada-inspired. With the maple leaf donning both jerseys, each jersey also featured the famous Toronto skyline at the back. Clean as can be, Toronto made sure the weekend was a memorable one.

MVP: Russell Westbrook

2017 NBA All-Star Weekend: New Orleans

Can’t really blame the NBA for 2017. With the game slated supposedly for Charlotte, the game was pulled and moved to New Orleans at the last minute. I remember going to this weekend and the entire city tried their best to put on a show despite not having months to prepare. While most jerseys reflect the city and the culture, the NBA had to come up quick for this one.

MVP: Anthony Davis

2018 NBA All-Star Weekend: Los Angeles

The 2017-2018 season marked the beginning of the Jordan/Nike era for the NBA. There was a time when the All-Star Game didn’t have special jerseys. Each player wore his respective team jersey, and looked a bit confusing on court, especially with all the colors. So to kick things off during their tenure, Jordan decided to go black and white for the jerseys, with the team logo plastered in front. Playing it safe? Maybe, but they definitely reflected the brand and LA’s street style.

MVP: LeBron James

2019 NBA All-Star Weekend: Charlotte

Similar to previous All-Star Weekends, Jordan Brand pays homage to the last time the game was played in Charlotte, North Carolina (1991). The red/white/blue patterns are taken from the early 90s game and the uniform shorts feature a honeycomb pattern integrated into the NBA star logo, as well as crowns for th Queen City. For the names and numbers, Jordan Brand used a military-inspired stencil to tap in to the city’s flight heritage.

MVP: Kevin Durant

2020 NBA All-Star Weekend: Chicago

As shared last week, the 2020 All-Star Weekend jerseys take inspiration from the city’s main mode of transportation: the Chicago transport line. Taking design cues as well from the classic pin-stripe jerseys from the 90s, Chicago’s All-Star Weekend should be a fun one.

Earlier today, Titan started selling the all-new 2020 uniforms across all their doors, Titan22.com, and the TITAN app. The Nike x NBA All-Star Weekend Swingman Jersey retails for Php 4,795 while the Swingman Shorts retail for Php 3,295. Both LeBron and Giannis’ jerseys are available in both colors (although Team LeBron will wear Red and Team Giannis will wear Blue during the game).

Over the last decade, which All-Star uniform was your favorite? Where does the 2020 All-Star Weekend jersey stack up?