Classic Jerseys Take Team Back
Eric Patten (Twitter: @ericpatten), Clippers.com | 1/25/12

Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, and the rest of the Clippers are scheduled to take six trips back in time this season.

Beginning Thursday Jan. 26 against the Memphis Grizzlies, L.A. will be one of nine teams commemorating the 45th anniversary of the ABA’s merger with the NBA with special edition Hardwood Classics uniforms. They will wear jerseys, shorts, and accessories honoring the 1968-69 ABA Los Angeles Stars in three home games and three road games.

“I’ve seen the uniforms,” Paul said. “I think they’re pretty cool. It should be a lot of fun. I heard Memphis is going to wear theirs, too.”

ABA TEAMS/YEARS REPRESENTED
  • Carolina Cougars (Charlotte Bobcats) 69-70
  • Denver Nuggets (same) 75-76
  • Indiana Pacers (same) 71-72
  • Los Angeles Stars (Los Angeles Clippers) 68-69
  • Memphis Tams (Memphis Grizzlies) 72-73
  • Miami Floridians (Miami Heat) 70-71
  • Minnesota Muskies (Minnesota Timberwolves) 67-68
  • New York Nets (New Jersey Nets) 72-73
  • Texas Chaparrals (San Antonio Spurs) 70-71
    • The base color of the classic jerseys is Columbia or powder blue with crimson trim running from the knee of the shorts to the armpit and seven white stars embroidered on each side. Red block letters, that are very ‘70s, arch across the chest reading “Los Angeles” with the “o” and the second “e” offset, resting in the foot of the letter “L.” The back of the jersey has the name and number embroidered in red with the official ABA logo just below the collar.

    Additionally, according to Clippers equipment manager Pete Serrano, basketball operations staff and coaches will wear adidas Superstars, complete with a shell toe and powder blue stripes.

    Each player will wear customized shoes, most notably Paul, who had a pair of his signature Jordan Brand shoes created for the special event. The lowtops have a blue sheen that matches the Stars jerseys and have red accents and laces.

    Perhaps the most creative portion of the uniform package is the team’s warm-ups. Each player will play their part in the flashback by wearing an adidas jacket that resembles a wool cardigan and has a red, white, and blue Stars basketball patch on the breast. Their warm-up pants are made of polyester, but look like denim, including bronze rivets.

    Related Articles: L.A. Honors Shooting Stars | Clippers Celebrate 45th Anniversary of ABA Founding

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