When Magic Johnson got candid about the evolution of NBA shorts: "I can't even get one leg, one foot in them shorts now"
The NBA uniform has undergone several changes over the decades, with the most notable being the length of shorts. Veterans like Magic Johnson, who played during the '80s and '90s era, were seen in shorts that were significantly shorter compared to what they are today.
According to Wikipedia, the first official basketball attire was introduced in 1901 by Spalding. The industry pioneer and sports equipment manufacturing company initially issued three styles of pants and two styles of jerseys, made from heavy wool material.
Entering the 1920s and 30s, there was a switch towards medium-length shorts. A change in fabric was observed as well, with manufacturers shifting to polyester and nylon. As years passed, the jerseys saw a tighter fit, while the shorts reduced considerably in terms of length.
However, the mid-80s and 90s witnessed yet another shift with baggy shorts emerging as the new trend. In a 2022 interview with Variety, NBA Hall of Famer and legendary point guard Magic Johnson addressed the evolution of shorts, sharing his preferences as well.
"Them shorts were real short back in the day, you got that right. The other day, I pulled out a box - sometimes I like to look at my uniform. I looked at them, I said, 'I can't even get one leg, one foot in them shorts now.' I actually prefer the way we looked and the way we performed in those little hot pants that we used to wear," said Johnson, who played all his 13 NBA seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The baggy shorts era
Heading into the mid-80s and 90s, the trend of baggy shorts began to gain popularity. It all started with Michael Jordan asking for longer shorts. Among the several media narratives, one reason was that he needed something to hold onto when tired or out of breath.
At the time, several reports suggested that MJ had a superstition of wearing his UNC college shorts underneath his Bulls uniform. Adding to it was the hip-hop revolution taking place, which further fueled the fashion for oversized fits, loose shorts, brighter colors and accessories.
When discussing the inception of the baggy attire in the NBA, it is impossible to ignore the impact Allen Iverson had with his fashion, be it his cornrows, tattoos, jewellery, or hoodies. Often referred to as the cultural icon, Iverson was a household name, with many comparing his popularity to that of Air Jordan.
LeBron James is turning back the clock
While long and baggy shorts have remained a popular choice, LeBron James has rolled back a few inches. In the past decade, there has been a noticeable decline in the length of his shorts. That said, it is nowhere close to what veterans like Magic or Larry Bird wore back in the 80s.
According to a 2015 CBS Sports report, James wanted to appear more professional and inspire young kids to dress and present themselves formally. Such changes were not only noticed in the reduced length of his shorts, but also in the tight-fitting of his jerseys.
The approach also extended to his tunnel entrances to games, with King James rocking the business suit attire on many occasions. Hence, be it on or off the court, players and their fashion preferences continue to be fluid.This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
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