NBA unveils sleeved Adidas jerseys for annual 'Latin Nights' games
The NBA and Adidas have designed sleeved jerseys for this year's "Latin Nights" games. (NBA.com)
The NBA has unveiled sleeved jersey designs by Adidas that will be worn by six teams during this year's "Latin Nights" series of games, which "celebrate the growing support" of fans across Latin America and in Hispanic communities.
As in previous years, teams competing in the Latin Nights games will wear jersey designs bearing Spanish versions of the team's name or city on the front. This year's teams include: the Heat (El Heat), the Lakers (Los Lakers), the Bulls (Los Bulls), the Knicks (Nueva York), the Spurs (Los Spurs), and the Suns (Los Suns). All 30 teams will also wear special Latin Nights shooting shirts by Adidas over the next two weeks.
The Latin Nights jerseys feature a solid, single-color design. The team's name and the player's number appear in a secondary color on the chest, surrounded by a thin layer of trim. On the back, the jerseys have the player's last name and number laid over a repeating, stylized pattern that is composed of basketballs and looks a bit like the back of a playing card.
“With Hispanic fans comprising 18 percent of the league’s fan base, we have a responsibility to be inclusive and deliver customized experiences that connect with our fans in meaningful ways,” NBA VP of multicultural marketing Saskia Sorrosa said in a statement.
The Bulls and Knicks debuted the Latin Nights sleeved jerseys during Chicago's 109-90 victory at the United Center on Sunday. There will be six more Latin Nights games in March: Heat at Spurs (Mar. 6), Thunder at Suns (Mar. 6), Thunder at Lakers (Mar. 9), Suns at Clippers (Mar. 10), Magic at Suns (Mar. 19) and Cavaliers at Knicks (Mar. 23).
These jerseys continue Adidas's trend towards the short-sleeve style. Adidas unveiled its first sleeved jersey, a yellow Warriors look, in February 2013. A white sleeved Warriors jersey, an orange sleeved Suns jersey, and a light blue sleeved Clippers jersey followed. The apparel manufacturer then designed sleeved jerseys for all 10 teams that played on Christmas Day and used sleeved designs during the 2014 All-Star Game in New Orleans.
Here's an in-game look at the new sleeved Latin Nights jerseys from Sunday's action. Below, find a gallery with photographs of the sleeved Latin Nights jersey designs that will be worn by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Tim Duncan, and other stars this month.
Carmelo Anthony wears a "Nueva York" sleeved jersey. (Gary Dineen/Getty Images)
Tyson Chandler's "Latin Nights" jersey has a distinctive pattern on the back. (Gary Dineen/Getty Images)
Jimmy Butler wears a "Los Bulls" sleeved jersey. (Gary Dineen/Getty Images)
Check out all six sleeved jersey designs for the "Latin Nights" games in the following gallery.
NBA unveils sleeved Adidas jerseys for annual 'Latin Nights' games
Photos via NBAStore.com and Suns.com.
