LeBron James is not only focused on bringing another title to Miami and making the Heat just the fourth franchise in league history to win three consecutive NBA titles but also to make a fashion statement by wearing short shorts in homage to legendary Julius "Dr. J." Erving.
In an interview with ESPN.com, James expressed amazement how the stars of the '70s and '80s like Erving were able to play with short shorts. "I might bring it back, though. I might play in some small shorts this year. Pay my homage to the '80s, to Dr. J and John Stockton. I don't think it's going to catch on, but I'm going to do it one game, maybe opening night. I can't go all the way up (the legs), though. Athletes today are built a little differently in the legs,' he was quoted as saying.
In the interview, James said he looks up to Erving as well, being the idol of arguably the greatest player of all-time, Michael Jordan. Although James was just two years old when Dr .J retired from the game, the Heat superstar insists he became a fan of Erving's game because of the association with Jordan. He also admitted that his decision to wear jersey number, 6, which Erving also wore, was influenced in part of his Dr. J fanaticism.
The short shorts have been irrelevant in the NBA for decades ever since Jordan popularized the use of long shorts. Some NBA teams have tried to bring back the look for special games. In 2008, the Los Angeles Lakers memorably used their '80s retro uniforms including short shorts in a regular season game against arch-rivals Boston Celtics. Kobe Bryant, visibly bothered by the short shorts, changed shorts at the half of that game.
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