LeBron James' complaints about sleeved NBA jerseys may have to continue
Wednesday 11 November 2015 13:16, UK
LeBron James' frustration at the NBA's sleeved shirts appears unlikely to result in any change in the league's clothing policy according to Jon Saraceno.
The Cleveland Cavaliers superstar has not been a fan of the jerseys, which are used for various games during the season, since they were brought into the league back in 2013.
His frustrations reached boiling point last week when, during a game against the New York Knicks, a clearly angry James was seen ripping the sleeves after missing a shot.
But Saraceno told Sky Sports there is one big reason why the shirts are most likely here to stay, and it is solely financial.
Saraceno said: "In the 2013-14 NBA season the league introduced these form-fitting t-shirts, if you will. Not to be worn every game but to replace normal tank tops you see pro basketball players wear.
"Immediately the best player in the world, the most popular player in the world - LeBron James - criticised these shirts as he said they restricted his shooting.
"LeBron's not the best shooter in the world and he said he needed all the help he can get.
"He was very vocal about this, but has since backed off on those comments. I think he has backed off for one reason, and this is why they were introduced by commissioner Adam Silver in the first place - it is a pure marketing ploy from the NBA to sell more of these t-shirts to children and parents.
"Sales have gone through the roof so Adam Silver was right - people did want these shirts. If you ask me, I think they are awful. They are as bad as the micro-shorts NBA players wore in the 1970s. They continue to have mixed haberdashery reviews, so we'll have to see what happens."
