It was weird. Honestly, seeing the Los Angeles Lakers in anything other than Forum Blue and Gold felt like a glitch in the matrix back in 2013. But when the team stepped onto the hardwood wearing the Lakers Hollywood Nights jersey, something shifted in the culture of NBA branding. This wasn't just a "black jersey." It was a statement. It was moody. It was specifically designed to capture the late-night energy of a city that feels like a movie set even when the cameras aren't rolling.
If you grew up watching Kobe Bryant, you probably remember the debut. It was a time of transition. The "Black Mamba" was fighting back from a devastating Achilles injury, and the franchise was trying to find its soul after the passing of Dr. Jerry Buss. The jersey arrived during this heavy, emotional period. It felt different because it looked different. Unlike the traditional bright hues of the Showtime era, the Hollywood Nights aesthetic leaned into the shadows. People either loved it or thought it was a sacrilegious departure from tradition. There was no middle ground.
The Design Philosophy Behind the Black and Gold
Most teams do "alternative" jerseys because the marketing department says they have to. This felt a bit more organic. The Lakers officially launched the look to pay tribute to the celebrities and the "Hollywood" grind that supports the team. It featured a black base—the first time the Lakers ever wore black—with the classic purple and gold trim outlining the numbers and the side panels.
The details matter here. Usually, the Lakers' side stripes are vertical and clean. On the original Lakers Hollywood Nights jersey, they added a specific "mesh" feel to the gold and purple accents. It gave the kit a texture that popped under the bright lights of the Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena). It wasn't just flat black. It was a deep, charcoal-adjacent tone that absorbed the light, making the gold "LAKERS" wordmark across the chest look almost neon.
Short sleeve versions also existed. We have to talk about them, even if we'd rather forget the NBA’s brief obsession with sleeved jerseys. Adidas was pushing the "T-shirt" style jerseys hard around 2013 and 2014. The Lakers were one of the primary canvases for this experiment. While the sleeved version of the Hollywood Nights kit is often mocked by purists today, it sold like crazy at the time because it was easier for fans to wear casually than a standard tank top.
Why the Hollywood Nights Look Changed the NBA
Before this, "Blackout" jerseys were mostly for the San Antonio Spurs or maybe the Miami Heat. The Lakers were considered "untouchable" in terms of their color palette. You had home whites (Sunday whites), road purples, and the iconic home gold. That was it. By introducing the Lakers Hollywood Nights jersey, the organization signaled that even the most storied franchises could evolve.
💡 You might also like: Tonya Johnson: The Real Story Behind Saquon Barkley's Mom and His NFL Journey
It basically opened the floodgates. Now, we have "City Edition" jerseys every single year. We have "Earned" jerseys and "Statement" jerseys. But in 2013, a black Lakers jersey was a massive risk. It paved the way for the later "Black Mamba" City Edition jersey designed by Kobe himself in 2017/18. Without the success of the Hollywood Nights experiment, we probably never get the snakeskin-patterned jersey that the team wore during their 2020 championship run in the Orlando Bubble.
The Kobe Bryant Connection
You can't separate this jersey from Kobe. Even though the team was struggling during those years—dealing with the ill-fated Steve Nash and Dwight Howard experiment and a rotating door of coaches—Kobe in black just looked right. It matched his persona. The "Black Mamba" moniker and a black jersey were a perfect marketing marriage.
I remember specifically a game against the Kings where the black jerseys just seemed to make the team look more imposing. It didn't always translate to wins during those rebuilding years, but it translated to a massive secondary market. Today, if you try to find an authentic, first-generation Adidas Lakers Hollywood Nights jersey with Bryant’s #24 on it, you’re going to pay a premium. We aren't talking about $100. Depending on the condition, these pieces go for $400 to $800 on sites like eBay or Grailed. They’ve become "grails" for jersey collectors because they represent a specific, gritty era of Lakers basketball that wasn't about championships, but about the resilience of a fading superstar.
Spotting a Fake: What to Look For
Since these jerseys are so popular, the market is flooded with "reps" or straight-up fakes. If you're hunting for an original, you have to be careful.
- The Tagging: Authentic Adidas jerseys from that era (the Swingman versions) have a specific heat-pressed neck tag. If you see a bulky, stitched-in fabric tag that looks sloppy, it's likely a fake.
- The "L" in Lakers: On the genuine Hollywood Nights jerseys, the gold trim is vibrant, not dull or mustard-colored. The stitching should be tight. If the purple border on the letters is overlapping the gold, walk away.
- The Length: Adidas "Length +2" sizing was standard back then. Fakes often get the proportions wrong, making the jersey look boxy rather than the slim, athletic cut of the 2010s.
- The NBA Logo: During this era, the Jerry West silhouette was often on the back of the jersey, above the name. On the Hollywood Nights version, it needs to be crisp. If Jerry West looks like a blob, it’s a knockoff.
The Rarity Factor
Why is this jersey harder to find than others? Simple: the Lakers didn't keep them around forever. They were a "seasonal" alternate that eventually transitioned into the broader "City Edition" program once Nike took over the NBA's uniform contract in 2017.
📖 Related: Tom Brady Throwing Motion: What Most People Get Wrong
When Nike took over, they didn't just copy the Hollywood Nights design. They iterated on it. They moved toward the "Lore" series. This made the original Adidas-branded Lakers Hollywood Nights jersey a closed chapter. It's a piece of history now. It represents the end of the Adidas era and the final years of Kobe’s career. It's the jersey of the "rebuild," the jersey of the "farewell tour" vibes before the farewell tour actually happened.
Cultural Impact Beyond the Court
You started seeing these jerseys everywhere in hip-hop videos and streetwear lookbooks. Black is universal. Purple and gold can be hard to style if you aren't at a game, but a black jersey with gold accents? That works with a pair of jeans and some Jordan 1s.
Streetwear brands began mimicking the color blocking. The "Hollywood Nights" vibe—black, gold, and a hint of purple—became a colorway in its own right. It’s a "cool" version of the Lakers. It’s the version you wear to a club or a concert, not just to a sports bar. It bridged the gap between performance gear and actual fashion in a way few other jerseys have.
How to Value Your Collection
If you're sitting on one of these, don't just throw it in the wash with your towels. Honestly, the screen-printed numbers on the Swingman versions are notorious for cracking. To preserve the value of a Lakers Hollywood Nights jersey, you should always wash it inside out on a cold cycle and never, ever put it in the dryer. Air dry only.
If you have an "Authentic" version—the ones with the stitched holes in the numbers for breathability—you're sitting on a gold mine. Those were produced in much smaller quantities than the standard Swingman. In the collector world, the "Au" (Authentic) is the king. It feels heavier, the embroidery is thicker, and the fit is exactly what the players wore on the court.
👉 See also: The Philadelphia Phillies Boston Red Sox Rivalry: Why This Interleague Matchup Always Feels Personal
What’s Next for the Black Lakers Aesthetic?
The Lakers know they have a hit with the black kits. That’s why we see a variation of a black jersey almost every season now. Whether it’s the Mamba jerseys or the "Anthracite" versions, the DNA of the Hollywood Nights is present.
However, there is a certain "soul" in that original 2013-2015 run. It was a dark time for the team's record, but a bright time for their branding. It proved that the Lakers weren't just a "legacy" act—they were willing to be trendy. They were willing to look like the city they represent: dark, flashy, and a little bit mysterious.
How to Buy or Sell an Original Hollywood Nights Jersey
If you're looking to add this to your closet or sell one you've found in the attic, here is the move:
- Check the SKU: Every Adidas jersey has a small tag inside with a factory code. Google that code. If it doesn't bring up a Lakers jersey, it's a fake.
- Compare the Gold: The gold on the Lakers Hollywood Nights jersey should be a "University Gold," not a pale yellow.
- Check Completed Listings: Don't look at what people are asking for on eBay. Look at what has actually sold. This gives you the real market value.
- Condition is Everything: A jersey with "cracked" numbers loses 50% of its value instantly. Keep the print smooth.
For those trying to find a brand new one in 2026, you're mostly looking at the secondary market. Nike occasionally releases "Classic Edition" jerseys, but they haven't circled back to the Hollywood Nights era just yet. They are currently focused on the 80s and 90s throwbacks. Your best bet is hitting up reputable vintage sports apparel sellers or high-end consignment shops. Just be prepared to pay the "Lakers Tax"—this team’s gear never stays cheap for long.