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As if it isn’t hard enough for NBA fans to wrap their heads around seeing LeBron James wearing a Los Angeles Lakers uniform, the league just went and made it even more difficult with the team’s new “Statement” uniforms the team debuted on Wednesday night at Talking Stick Resort Arena. (No, I am not kidding. That really is the name of the Phoenix Suns’ arena.)
These new uniforms are the Lakers’ 2018-2019 “Statement” edition and, well, they definitely made a “statement.” Just not a very good one.
At first glance they don’t look too bad. Assuming that you see them from the correct angle and don’t look too hard.
Tonight's #LakeShow uniform for game 4/82 at Suns: Purple (Statement) pic.twitter.com/YkKAr4lMSf
— Lakers Uni Tracker (@LakersUT) October 25, 2018
🔥 threads #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/CXYAZ2YBpL
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 25, 2018
Of course, you can’t avoid giving them a good look when you are, you know, watching the actual game, so reactions to the new unis came fast and furious throughout the night on social media. Admittedly, not everyone hated them, but the many who did were very vocal about it.
https://twitter.com/jp4dubv/status/1055322130030780416
Lakers uniforms are soggy trash. What’s with the black stripe @Nike ?
— Scott Hale (@Halestormsports) October 25, 2018
Lakers need to retire these “statement” road uniforms!
— Eric Lara (@laker42fan) October 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/Lakerholic89/status/1055319490714431488
The Lakers will be debuting their “Statement” uniforms tonight on the road in Phoenix. They’d be infinitely better without that black stripe down the sides. pic.twitter.com/L8uYTBlg3T
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) October 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/JonesOnTheNBA/status/1055287254351073281
I don’t like the Lakers uniforms tonight…the black panels are throwing me off. 😔Just go back to the old 90s Lakers uniforms. 🤷🏽♀️
— Danielle (@imjustdani_) October 25, 2018
Meanwhile, Lakers purple uniforms are utter dog trash. Black stripe is TRASH. I’m riled up
— Jason Gold (@JasonGold24) October 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/moist_bennett/status/1055281346367520768
In other news, the Lakers uniforms in Phoenix tonight are even worse than I imagined. The black stripe really has to go. What's the point?
— Jim Barrero (@jimbarrero) October 25, 2018
Lakers purple uniforms would be so good if they didnt have those horrific black side pannels
— East Coast Suns Fans (@SunsEastCoast) October 25, 2018
Our colors are purple and gold. Not purple, black and gold. #LakeShow
— Victor Villegas (@Victoriousbstrd) October 25, 2018
This Lakers uniform offends me.
— Beshoy Halim (@shakashoy) October 25, 2018
On the plus side, the Lakers did finally get their first win of the season so maybe these ugly new uniforms are… lucky? Silver linings, folks. Silver linings.