The NBA has lived through a series of iconic moments that fans will forever cherish until the end of time. Every year, the league witnesses teams grapple with each other for the ultimate price, which is the Larry O’Brien Trophy. During these battles, players push past their limits and always fight for glory. There is rarely a dull moment on the court at times. Fans are always at the edge of their seats as well.
The league has a long list of events that take place during the regular season. Such events always have the best teams and players on the court at the same time. For example, the NBA All-Star Games, an event that generally happens after the regular season reaches its halfway point. Another interesting event is the newly added In-Season Tournament, otherwise known as the NBA Cup.
Just like these events, the NBA also hosts Christmas Day Games that take place between some of the best teams in the league. Christmas Day Games have been a tradition ever since 1947. Every year, teams that have the biggest rivalries often play against each other. For a brief period, the league released Christmas Jerseys between 2008 and 2017. Unfortunately, they decided to discontinue them.
Christmas Jerseys always had a set of iconic uniforms which also had a couple of holiday-themed elements on them. But in 2016, the NBA signed a new jersey contract with Nike which marked the end of Christmas Jerseys. Between 2008 and 2017 the NBA was in contract with Adidas, the brand which provided jerseys for the league back then. However, Nike overthrew Adidas and went ahead to become the league’s official jersey sponsor.
Why were the NBA Christmas Jerseys so iconic?
The NBA’s Christmas Jerseys were iconic for many reasons. But importantly, they were one of a kind, since the league always had new designs dedicated especially for Christmas Day Games. They were absolute hits amongst fans as Adidas produced a set of unique color themes. Adidas had jerseys with Christmas elements, big logos, solid colors, and unique first-name basis jerseys.
Additionally, the league also had a couple of iconic games on Christmas Day as well. For example, the matchups between Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant, who of the best scorers of the past generation. Then the rivalry between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers took place during the Adidas contract. This particular game marked the end of Adidas’ iconic Christmas Day Jerseys as well. Several players and fans have been urging the league to bring back the jerseys.