The NBA all-star match 2023 is the 72nd edition of the mid-season showcase — and this year’s edition marks the 30th anniversary of the first NBA All-Star Game hosted by Utah Jazz in 1993.
Although hosting the tournament’s biggest stars on a single field has been ongoing for several decades, savings for 1999, due to NBA lockdownmuch has changed since the game started in 1951.
One change that easily caught the attention of viewers was the increasing number of uniform combinations worn throughout the years.
The 2022-2023 season has seen a significant share of fashion statements. Via 100 different uniforms were worn throughout the Association, with each team receiving four versions of the jersey: Association, Emblem, City and Declaration.
👀New theme for 2023 #NBAAllStar Game! pic.twitter.com/nvvgajEb0R
– #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) January 27, 2023
For the sixth year in a row worn by the Jordan Brand, the All-Stars could add another jersey to their massive collection. But before that, let’s see how designs have evolved over the years.
1951: East 111, West 94
Location: Boston
MVP: Ed Macauley, Boston Celtics
The All-Stars players playing for the Eastern Conference wore simple white jerseys with blue accents, while the opposing conference players wore opposite jerseys in the opening match. The belt is perhaps the most prominent feature of the uniform, as elastic waistbands were not the norm for basketball shorts in the 1950s.
1960: East 125, West 115
Location: Philadelphia
MVP: Withered ChamberlainPhiladelphia Warriors
The design in the 1960s was similar to the design of previous years. The addition of the East or West conference notation on the front of the jersey is a distinction that has become popular towards the end of the decade.
1967: West 135, East 120
Location: Daly City, California
MVP: Rick BarrySan Francisco Warriors
The end of the aforementioned decade brought a new trend of honoring the city where the game was played. The Warriors’ City version uniform was the first inspiration for the new look.
1972: West 112, East 110
Location: Inglewood, California
MVP: Jerry West, Los Angeles Lakers
Players wear Lakers-themed outfits when the team’s home arena, the Forum, hosts the All-Star Game.
1980: East 144, West 136 (OT)
Location: Landover, Maryland
MVP: George Gervin, San Antonio Spurs
Washington was the last team to use a jersey as a model for the game between the two games.
1985: West 140, East 129
Location: Indianapolis
MVP: Ralph Sampson, Houston rocket
This style is quite popular as the design has been used for six years in a row. It was even brought back after a brief hiatus for the 2003 and 2004 All-Star Olympics.
1991: East 116, West 114
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
MVP: Charles Barkley, Philadelphia 76ers
Arguably the most memorable All-Star uniforms were created in the ’90s, starting with this version used from 1991 to 1994.
1995: West 139, East 112
Location: Phoenix
MVP: Mitch Richmond, King Sacramento
Another recognizable design is a product of the last century. The vibrant colors stand in stark contrast to the typical red, white and blue uniforms used for much of the existence of the All-Star Games.
1997: East 132, West 120
Location: Cleveland
MVP: Glen Rice, Charlotte’s Horn
The decade ended with another well-known trend for the league’s mid-season showcase. Players from the Eastern Conference wear their home jerseys, while those from the Western Conference wear their lane uniforms.
2003: West 155, East 145 (2 OT)
Location: Atlanta
MVP: Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
This fan-favorite design from the late ’80s resurfaced in the early 2000s.
2004: West 136, East 132
Location: Los Angeles
MVP: Shaquille O’Neal, Los Angeles Lakers
The first style of the new millennium was distinguished by crosswriting, but this was also the last time this format was used. Opening and closing.
2007: West 153, East 132
Location: Las Vegas
MVP: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Cursive font has returned to the front of the All-Star jersey for the first time in more than two decades, but the uniform has only been used once.
2014: East 163, West 155
Location: New Orleans
MVP: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
The sleeveless shirt became quite popular when it was introduced in the 2013-14 season. They were also seen during the NBA’s Christmas Day, along with an appearance at the All-Star Game. This style is used only once.
2015: West 163, East 158
Location: New York
MVP: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
This minimalist design reflects the design of the first All-Star Games jerseys. This is the first time that black and white are the main uniform colors, with the former representing the Western Conference and the latter being used for the Eastern Conference. The player’s first and last names are also printed on the back.
2018: Team LeBron 148, Team Stephen 145
Location: Los Angeles
MVP: LeBron JamesCleveland Cavaliers
This is the first year the league has adopted the current format, making the East and West designations a thing of the past. Similar to the style used in 2015, black and white distinguish the two teams, but each player’s team logo is prominently displayed on the front.
