In the 1960s, the basketball uniform was about small, tight shorts and form-fitting tank top. It’s grown longer since then. Andrew Bergmann sifted through the archives and illustrated the changes over the decades.
The arm-length “shooter sleeves” that Lebron, Carmelo and Pierce sport on a regular basis are one of the most interesting of recent accoutrements. These covers can directly be traced back to former 76ers point guard Allen Iverson, who by legend wore one to conceal a controversial tattoo, but in actuality had bursitis in his right elbow. Somehow the sleeves caught on and are now believed to improve your shot. I guess I should get one.
I can’t wait until players are out there in full tights, and then as fashion always turns around on itself, speedos and thigh-high socks.
Looks like the reverse direction of women’s tennis hemlines.
Kerry Kittle socks, now there was a look! http://www.triplecrownsportscards.com/mempics/KittlesKerry/AutoPhoto.jpg
Tights were a thing in the NBA in 2005-2006. Several stars wore them regularly that season, and the Milwaukee Bucks seemed to have nearly half their roster in tights: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/12085103/
To be fair, I’d like to see the graph also identified average height of the player. That would also explain some of the extension of clothing items.
One reason for the longer shorts is to hide the hip and thigh pads they’re wearing underneath.
http://reviews.nike.com/9191/369261/nike-pro-combat-vis-deflex-mens-basketball-shorts-reviews/reviews.htm
interesting, as rugby uniforms seem to have done the exact opposite, getting shorter (sleeves and shorts) and tighter, to make it more difficult to get grabbed/tackled.
Would be interesting to graph out the size of a woman’s bathing suit over the same period of time.