The NBA has been pushing sleeved jerseys hard this season, much to the chagrin of Miami Heat star Lebron James and others. James struggled in the sleeved jerseys in the Heat's 111-87 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night, and the two-time reigning MVP made it known afterward he's not a fan of the NBA's latest fashion trend, according to Sports Illustrated's Ben Golliver:
LeBron James expresses displeasure with sleeved jerseys after loss to Spurs
James complained about the sleeved jerseys after going 6-of-18 in a blowout loss against the Spurs.
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
“I’m not making excuses, but I’m not a big fan of the jerseys,” James told reporters. “Not a big fan of them. I have to figure something out the next time I have to wear the short-sleeved jerseys.”
James went 6-of-18 in the blowout loss, and he made just one of his 11 attempts outside of the paint. While James claims he’s not making excuses, he clearly feels the sleeves affect his shot:
“Every time I shoot it pulled,” James continued. “It feels like it’s just pulling every time I shoot, right underneath my arm. I already don’t have much room for error on my jumpshot anyway, so it’s definitely not a good thing.”
James wasn’t the only player a part of Heat-Spurs to have a not-so-positive opinion about the sleeved jerseys. Spurs wings Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobili both expressed displeasure with the jerseys, and Ginobili said he wore a uniform a size bigger to improve his comfort while playing.
Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade also prefer the traditional non-sleeved garb, but Wade was quick to point out the sleeved jerseys had nothing to do with the outcome of the game, according to Shandel Richardson of the South Florida Sun Sentinel:
“It ain’t the reason we lost,” Wade said. “You’re just not used to it. They [the Spurs] didn’t have a problem with it. It is what it is. Let’s not make this about a jersey, please. We got our butts kicked. That’s it.”
Other players, including Stephen Curry and Dirk Nowitzki, have also previously spoken out against the sleeves. But it doesn't appear the jerseys will be going away anytime soon unless there's a mass outcry from the players. The NBA has said the uniforms would not be used if enough players complained.
So for now, James and the others having issues will just have to get used to wearing them.
See More:
