Basketball is an art. Showtime passes, high-flying dunks, clutch performances, stifling defense – all of the creativity that goes in to each and every element of the sport is not unlike the imaginative and inventiveness that is exhibited in an artistic masterpiece. When they step onto the court, the players become the artist – and the ball, the court, the hoop and their teammates are the only tools necessary to create something special.
Julius Erving, Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins and Vince Carter took the slam dunk – formerly a quick and efficient way of getting the ball in the basket – and transformed it into a display of ingenuity that spurs momentum and causes fans to jump out of their seats. Bob Cousy, Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd and Steve Nash revolutionized the pass, taking a crucial, yet drab aspect of the game, and made it cool; made it just as incredible of a sight as the shot which it leads to.
While basketball has grown as an art form over its existence – transcending from a display of finesse and conventional style of play, into a game of unprecedented athleticism and superstardom – so has the manner in which the sport’s highlights and memories are conveyed and preserved through artistic means. Exhibiting the sports culture through artwork is truly unique because it has so many elements that are able to be captured. Whether it be an action play, a memorable celebration or a signature moment in history, there are so many opportunities in the game of basketball that can be displayed through art.
The Los Angeles Lakers franchise is a masterpiece within itself. From its 16 NBA championships, legendary players, hall-of-fame coaches and a never ending list of historic moments, the amount of possibilities to artistically convey them is endless. Although there is a large magnitude of fantastic Lakers art pieces, nothing quite compares to the recent creation of Michael Norice, a Los Angeles native and the founder/CEO of Break Your Neck (BYN) Urban Customs, which sells customized shoes, clothing, graphics, body art, and other fashion accessories.
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