It's becoming clearer by the day that there's a serious problem with the structural integrity of the NBA's new Nike-made jerseys, as an increasing number of players have ended up with torn jerseys.
But while it's unprecedented to see so many ripped jerseys in such a short period of time, this is hardly the first time we've seen torn jerseys in the NBA. Here's a selected timeline of similar incidents from over the past decade, when the league's uniforms were made by Adidas:
2008: Darko Milicic of the Grizzlies gives in to frustration during a game against the Rockets and takes it out on his own jersey.
Annals of NBA jersey tears: Darko Milicic in 2008. pic.twitter.com/adSzSsaj3t
- Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) October 31, 2017
2010: Amare Stoudemire of the Knicks ends up with a blank jersey during a game against the Bobcats when the number comes off of his game top.
2012: Amir Johnson of the Raptors grabs a handful of 76ers center Elton Brand's jersey and ends up ripping one of the numbers right off of Brand's back.
Annals of NBA jersey tears: Amir Johnson rips the number off of Elton Brand's jersey. pic.twitter.com/942QpkuryD
- Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) October 31, 2017
2013: During Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Bulls guard Nate Robinson holds onto Heat guard Norris Cole's jersey, resulting in a tear.
Annals of NBA jersey tears: Norris Cole is grabbed by Nate Robinson in the 2013 Eastern Conference semifinals. pic.twitter.com/n2IfnrmQ7S
- Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) October 31, 2017
2014: During a game against the Raptors, Josh McRoberts of the Heat becomes so frustrated with his play that he tears his own jersey.
Annals of NBA jersey tears: Josh McRoberts tears his own jersey in 2014. pic.twitter.com/wDHDv0aq0g
- Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) October 31, 2017
2015: After missing a 3-pointer during a game against the Kings, Marc Gasol of the Grizzlies tears his jersey down the center of the chest.
Annals of NBA jersey tears: Marc Gasol tears his own jersey in frustration after missing a shot in 2015. pic.twitter.com/BfI1iYJQHx
- Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) October 31, 2017
2015: LeBron James doesn't like the feel of his sleeved jersey during a game against the Knicks, so he tears open the sleeves right there on the court.
Of course, these jersey tears were spread out over the course of a decade, while the recent spate of mishaps with Nike jerseys have taken place in just a few weeks. In other words, we're currently witnessing the most intense chapter -- but hardly the first one -- in the ongoing saga of torn NBA jerseys.
Paul Lukas figures it's a good thing that Rip Torn never played in the NBA. If you like this column, you'll probably like his Uni Watch Blog, plus you can follow him on Twitter and Facebook. Want to learn about his Uni Watch Membership Program, check out his Uni Watch merchandise, be added to his mailing list so you'll always know when a new column has been posted, or just ask him a question? Contact him here.