NBA All-Star 2022: A timeline of uniform designs, from shorts to ’90s flared sleeves and beyond

The NBA All-Star Game 2022 It is the 71st edition of the Mid-Season Showcase.

While hosting the league’s biggest stars on one court has been a constant for several decades, except in 1999, due to the NBA lockouta lot has been transformed since the game’s inception in 1951.

One change that easily catches the eye of viewers is the ever-increasing number of uniform combinations that have been worn over the years.

The 2021-2022 season has seen its fair share of fashion statements. As the league celebrates its 75th anniversary, 123 different uniforms they have been worn across the Association, with each team receiving four jersey editions: Association, Icon, City and Statement. As if that were not enough, three of the original franchises of the league, the New York Knicks, the Golden State Warriors (then Philadelphia) and the Boston Celtics wore a fifth edition of the Classic that debuted in December.

In the fifth consecutive year of being kitted out by Jordan Brand, the All-Stars can add another jersey to their vast collection. But before that, here’s a look at how the designs have evolved over the years.

1951: East 111, West 94
Headquarters: Boston
MVP: Ed Macauley, Boston Celtics

All-Stars playing for the Eastern Conference wore a simple white jersey with blue accents, while players from the opposite conference wore the reverse for the opening game. The belt is perhaps the most distinctive feature of the uniform, as elastic waistbands were not standard on basketball shorts during the 1950s.

1960: East 125, West 115
Headquarters: Philadelphia
MVP: Wilt Chamberlin,Philadelphia Warriors

The design during the 1960s was similar to that of previous years. The addition of the Eastern or Western conference designation to the front of the jerseys was a distinction that became common later in the decade.

1967: West 135, East 120
Headquarters: Daly City, Calif.
MVP: Rick BarrySan Francisco Warriors

The last mentioned decade ending brought a new trend of honoring the city in which the game was played. The Warriors’ City edition uniforms served as the first source of inspiration for the new look.

1972: West 112, East 110
Headquarters: Inglewood, Calif.
MVP: jerry westLos Angeles Lakers

Players dressed in Lakers-themed outfits when the team’s stadium at the time, the Forum, hosted the All-Star Game.

1980: East 144, West 136 (OT)
Headquarters: Landover, Maryland
MVP: George GervinSan Antonio Spurs

Washington was the last team whose jerseys served as the template for the matchup between the two conferences.

1985: West 140, East 129
Headquarters: Indianapolis
MVP: Ralph Sampson, Houston Rockets

This style was quite popular, as the design was worn for six years in a row. He even bounced back after a brief hiatus for the 2003 and 2004 All-Star Games.

1991: East 116, West 114
Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina
MVP: Charles Barkley, Philadelphia 76ers

Possibly the most memorable All-Star uniforms were created in the 1990s, beginning with this version that was in use from 1991 to 1994.

1995: West 139, East 112
Headquarters: Phoenix
MVP: Mitch RichmondSacramento Kings

Another recognizable design is a product of the last century. The vibrant colors contrasted sharply with the typical red, white, and blue uniforms worn for most of the All-Star Games’ existence.

1997: East 132, West 120
Headquarters: Cleveland
MVP: Glen Rice, Charlotte Hornets

The decade culminated in another well-known trend for the league’s mid-season showcase. Eastern Conference players wore their home jerseys, while Western Conference players wore their away uniforms.

2003: West 155, East 145 (2 OT)
Headquarters: Atlanta
MVP: Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves

This fan-favorite design from the late ’80s resurfaced for two years in the early 2000s.

2004: West 136, East 132
Headquarters: Los Angeles
MVP: Shaquille O’Neal, Los Angeles Lakers

The first style of the new millennium was distinguished by diagonal letters, but it was also the last time this format was used. Grand opening, grand closing.

2007: West 153, East 132
Headquarters: Las Vegas
MVP: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

Cursive typeface returned to the front of All-Star jerseys for the first time in more than two decades, but this uniform was only worn once.

2014: East 163, West 155
Headquarters: New Orleans
MVP: Kyrie IrvingCleveland Cavaliers

Sleeved shirts came into fashion when they were introduced in the 2013-14 season. They were also seen during the NBA Christmas Day, as well as making an appearance in the All-Star Game. This style was only worn once.

2015: West 163, East 158
Headquarters: New York
MVP: Russell WestbrookOklahoma City Thunder

This minimalist design mirrors that of the first All-Star Games jerseys. It was the first time that black and white had been the primary colors of the uniform, the former representing the Western Conference and the latter being used for the Eastern Conference. The names and surnames of the players were also printed on the back.

2018: Team LeBron 148, Team Stephen 145
Headquarters: Los Angeles
MVP: Lebron JamesCleveland Cavaliers

This was the first year the league adopted its current format, making the East and West designations a thing of the past. Similar to the style used in 2015, black and white differentiate the two teams, but each player’s team logo is prominently displayed on the front.