The Best Basketball Shorts Of All Time
“It’s a recession, homey,” said my 61-year-old father. “Need some cash? Sell some clothes.” Easier floated than fulfilled, because what pops doesn’t understand is that any hoops-head worth his hardwood crafts his closet like a monk rakes a Zen garden; we catalogue and protect our collections like a posse of vigilante librarians who employ a hyperized Dewey Decimal system that exists only in our heads but is tacitly understood. And putting it all together on the daily is a truly holistic endeavor. Ask KG.
A hoops-head does not own his closet, but rather, he is owned by his closet, and opening that sucker with intent to eliminate is more than a quick triage at Mass General, it’s a triple-overtime saga at the Garden.
With that said, one must respect the father-homey relationship, so last weekend I decided to take the old man’s advice and hit the recesses of my closet, not to mention the gigantic under-the-bed Tupperware stash, and make some grown-ass-man maneuvers.
After a few hours of careful unfolding, refolding, considering, and piling, I had a stack ready for the discerning eyes of the local thrift-shop buyer. The stack included:
- A throwback Ben Wallace, Pistons jersey
- A Maryland Terrapins shooting shirt (I had a thing for Juan Dixon)
- Assorted civilian gear (I’ll be Dime sensitive and spare you the details)
But in this process, I did, as we often do, salvage a piece of clothing worth rocking and arguing about: AND 1 shorts, circa 1998, royal blue legs with yellow side panels, thick jersey fabric with a wide waistband, otherwise known as the best basketball shorts of all time.
After sliding the shorts on, I rang my consigliere, aka Frozen Chozen, informed him of my discovery, and let flow my argument that AND 1 is the most slept-on basketball-shorts-maker in the developed world. “Oh most definitely,” Frozen said. “They stay looking fly and are so comfortable that I can serve fools in ‘em from sun up to good night.”
So how come my newest pair of AND 1 shorts is a decade old? According to AND 1 Executive Director Rob Purvy, the brand eroded to just a television show after reaching its peak in the late-‘90s. Under new ownership since 2005, the company is mining its classic history, and could be on the verge of resurrection.
For those of you salivating for some gear, you’re in luck, because come November, AND 1 will bring back one of its most popular shoes, the Tai Chi, at stores across the country. Shorts and shirts (they are in conversation to bring back the trash-talking tees) are around the corner, possibly by the holidays or spring 2010.
Who do you think makes the best basketball shorts in the land?
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September 21st, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Aaron says:
I did a LOL to this article because I rock these shorts still. I didn’t realize how old they are till now though. haha! I have a pair in red and blue and they are still super comfortable to this day.
September 21st, 2009 at 1:22 pm
marcus the great says:
man you aint NEVER lied about how hard it is to give away some old gear you dont even rock anymore. i bit the bullet hard and gave away some stuff to my lil brother, but it was hard as sh*t!! some Girbaud and Enyce shirts, some Mecca jeans (throwback!). right before he left i thought about taking it all back lol, but since the oversized thug style is kinda wack now i let him slide
September 21st, 2009 at 1:23 pm
marcus the great says:
but i would have to argue that Jordan Brand from about 2002-2006 has the best basketball shorts though, i got about 3 pair of just black, and assortments of the other colors. you win cuz you have a picture of yours though Solomon!
September 21st, 2009 at 1:38 pm
go2kai says:
Those Michigan or UNC shorts
September 21st, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Stephon says:
WORD TO THAT.
I got the same design, but it’s navy blue/ baby blue linings and white base. Reversable ones too.
It goes perfect to my baby blue Tai Chi’s and after schooling some fools, off court the shorts will complement my “Post Game to Chillin’” by And1 as well …. damm that’s such a long time ago … but respect to DIME for bringing back gd streetball memories…
September 21st, 2009 at 1:42 pm
this is lame says:
nike.jsut do it
September 21st, 2009 at 1:49 pm
UpNorth says:
I love the AND1 shorts, still have a few pairs myself… but I think “the Best Basketball Shorts of All Time” title needs to go to the ORIGINAL JORDAN BRAND CAT SCRATCH shorts.
September 21st, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Dime Magazine says:
My first pair of AND 1 shorts were some blue/black G-Town ones I got back during the Iverson era with the Hoyas. I still rock those to this day!
-AP.
September 21st, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Austin Burton says:
@AP — Too bad I’m stealing those from you soon as I get the chance. (Is it OK to wear another guy’s shorts if you wash them several times first?)
September 21st, 2009 at 2:01 pm
sh!tfaced says:
wash them several times in hot water. that’s what i do. lol
September 21st, 2009 at 2:13 pm
siree says:
jordan makes the flyest and most comfortable ball shorts but i do love and1
September 21st, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Chicagorilla says:
The And 1 shorts were always lame and not for REAL ball players. Shorts that hang down to your lower calf are not basketball shorts, they are capris and you look extra “sensitive” wearing that shit.
Now the And 1 trash talking Tees and the Tai Chi are infamous. I even had a couple hoodies to match my shoes and sweats.
The shorts though…can’t fuck with them. Makes a 6′4 guy look like he’s 5′8 and wearing his big brothers clothes.
September 21st, 2009 at 2:17 pm
aquahmonk says:
good stuff. I still sport my all red And 1 shorts. but if that’s a picture of you and your shorts, those are damn way too short my man. past the knees! pass the knees!
September 21st, 2009 at 2:42 pm
foolio_iglesias says:
Adidas,fool.They came out with the Climalite and Climacool basketball gear ,way before moisture wicking fabrics got all trendy n shit.I had some of Kobe’s and T Mac’s signature shorts,and the quality was apparent from day 1.Memo to some of ya’ll,shorts with hip pockets ain’t real ball shorts……the other day I seen some kids playing at my gym in big ole sloppy shorts,and some still had them sagged to the point draws were visible,like,wa-oowww,really kid?That supposed to help your game or something?Nasty…..
September 21st, 2009 at 2:42 pm
. says:
solomon- you white, but your dad calls you “homey”?
September 21st, 2009 at 2:53 pm
jay says:
Had a pair but can’t even wear em out the house anymore……………
September 21st, 2009 at 2:54 pm
shake&bake says:
The ones Jordan has been coming out with lately are the best I’ve owned. Mt runner-up is the 1994 University of Kentucky shorts with the zig-zag pattern.
September 21st, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Zers says:
jordan 1982 retro carolina shorts white w/ wide waitst… legit
September 21st, 2009 at 3:03 pm
ghbizzle says:
I wish a muffukka WOULD sit it my AND 1 shorts
September 21st, 2009 at 3:10 pm
NTstateOFmind says:
@ .says
so what if he does?
September 21st, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Amar says:
i still have mine, still wear em too, and are like the day i bought them
September 21st, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Nitetrain says:
Those are some lame shorts, son
September 21st, 2009 at 3:16 pm
haslem says:
how are and-1 shorts slept on? everyone knows they are the best I remember back in 2000 EVERYONE wore and-1 stuff (the shoes not as good) people used to wear them even off the court
September 21st, 2009 at 3:22 pm
j yosef says:
im in a jerusalem mall 2 weeks ago and saw a whole rack of and1 shorts… made me think of the good old days.
September 21st, 2009 at 3:37 pm
jzsmoove says:
Basketball shorts, And 1. Urban, Jordan Brand. Lounging, Lululemon.
September 21st, 2009 at 3:42 pm
The REAL Tyrone says:
This cat’s ol man be callin him homeY? That shit got me cradcking up ya’ll - ain’t no doubt that then whiteass cats be representin that they be frm the hood when they ain’t be rockin that shiat.
True thugs NEVER lie.
The Real Tyrone
September 21st, 2009 at 3:57 pm
doc says:
Everybody in my hood had a pair of them And 1’s.
September 21st, 2009 at 3:59 pm
doc says:
You need to throw them things away though because they on the small side these days.
September 21st, 2009 at 4:20 pm
HeadkickerB says:
AND 1 shorts get my vote. I had some of there kicks but none I would rank any of them among my favorites. I still rock some of the shorts. My favorite shirt was the one that said “Franchise” on the back.
September 21st, 2009 at 4:34 pm
fan says:
Best Basketball shorts: Olaf’s(Uptown) from Above the Rim. You had to be nice to wear a pair. Used to be Rucker Park offical digs. Those were crazy. To me best short of all time.
September 21st, 2009 at 4:56 pm
srb says:
my favorites are the Old Navy brand. best shorts with pockets I’ve ever worn.
September 21st, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Dime Magazine says:
@Austin Burton
100% legit. I have a pair of ABCD camp shorts that I traded my buddy for at camp who got them from his roommate at prep school. Whomever’s shorts they were was definitely a PF but I still rock ‘em!
-AP.
September 21st, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Drink the Haterade says:
And 1 shorts for sure and the trash talkin tees, were nice.
As far as the baggy shorts go, my players wear like two pairs of shorts so that one of em can sag, makes no sense, just stupidity.
September 21st, 2009 at 9:35 pm
weng santos says:
Still have the same shorts in red and white.
September 21st, 2009 at 10:03 pm
JOB33 says:
Man I miss And 1 clothing. I had so many of those shirts where they’d break down Hot Sauce schooling someone frame for frame. The shorts had to comfortable, cuz the shoes sucked! We had a deal with Adidas at my school, but I always bought And 1. I eventually had to switch back to the team shoe. Those And 1’s tore up my feet.
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:44 am
dat dood says:
jordan = rolls royce of hoop shorts.
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:44 am
dat dood says:
and to the guy who said old navy…
really?
let’s get serious out here.
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:51 am
Trouble Man says:
Michigan Fab 5 Shorts (Gold or Navy) were ill w/ the black socks & black air maxes
September 22nd, 2009 at 2:21 am
Mr. 101 says:
AND1 is popular as hell over in Taiwan, they still got and 1 stores and shit there. The store keepers told me that in secret, ecko, Supra, and AND 1 are all under one big umbrella company (probably ecko) but they try hard to maintain seperate public iamge so each brand can develop a following. Real talk though, in Taiwan And 1 gear competes with Nike and adidas shit in the streets.
September 22nd, 2009 at 4:00 am
Big Aaron says:
AND1 is still kinda popular over here in the UK. The shoes are a little played out because they’re available for like £15-£20 in the discount sports stores, but the tees and shorts etc are all slept on by all but the old-school who respect the brand and what it represents.
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:45 am
Joe says:
If you’re looking for a new pair of AND 1 shorts, go to KOHL’S. They have a decent selection including the old school side panel design. They’re always on sale too. Over the summer I bought a few pairs and I rock them every day.
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:21 am
NC says:
Adidas all the way.
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:04 am
len-e says:
good points but and1 fell off big time around probably 2003 - shortly after introducing the new logo.
most comfortable shorts nowadays come from k1x, no doubt.
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:32 am
Daniel D says:
I love those I still have my old pair even though I am a lot bigger now and can’t fit them I have been waiting for the day to come where I can cop those I will be getting every color out there when they come out
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:19 pm
mellmeister says:
and1 still rocks the best basketball shorts…
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Seven Duece says:
co-sign #7 UPNORTH - My favorites are the Jordan Cat Scratch that first hit the scene at Cincinnati with the Bearcats. I have 4 pairs of those still. But a pair of And1’s I always wanted were the ones that had a camouflage green and black pattern. Saw them advertised in an issue of Slam like 8 or 9 years ago, always wanted those bad boys. The new plaid K1X’s are nice, but are going for 50 bones - damn that.
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:56 am
K.I.R says:
Definately the Olafs- thats where it kinda started on a street fashion/Ballin tip (for me anyway- maybe it was a NY thing)
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Utah Jazz Blog says:
How can an article about the best basketball shorts of all time not be about John Stockton?
I’ve never really had a favorite pair of basketball shorts or held much brand loyalty in that regard.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
flipisatrip says:
i have 2 pair of and1 shorts, from about 15 years ago, that i still rock on the court