Below is a guide I created for collecting Adidas NBA jerseys. It may not make sense to those who don't understand jerseys however there are many fakes out there and it can become quite overwhelming when purchasing especially online. If you know nothing about jerseys perhaps it'll give you a greater appreciation into it.  

• Adidas purchased Reebok in 2006 becoming the official NBA apparel sponsor in a deal worth in excess of $400m
• Adidas developed a 2nd generation jersey from the 2010/11 season
• The NBA Revolution 30 jersey was also introduced this season but became commercially popular a few years later – 30% lighter and drys twice as fast
• Nike became the official outfitter of the NBA from the 2017/18 season onward

Pro Cut

Game issues jerseys worn by players with premium materials used. Jerseys have side cuts and extra length at the back

1st Generation Jersey

• Always stitched
• Will not have an Adidas logo on jersey
• No back tags
• Jock tags will almost always have tags for Climalite material. Will always have size and the year of jersey issue
• The tag also feature NBA Authentics logo, team logo and Adidas logo

2nd Generation Jersey

• Same features as 1st generation however jock tag is different ;
• Jock tag will feature two tags, a smaller game issues tag next to the main jock tag. Tag includes Climacool logo, Adidas logo, NBA Authentics logo and the sizing

Authentic

These are effectively the same as Pro Cut jerseys with the main difference the inclusion of a back tag.

1st Generation

• Always stitched
• Will not have an Adidas logo on jersey
• Two back tags. One tag has the NBA Authentics and Adidas logo on it with adidas.com on the back of the tag
• Second back tag has material, manufacturing and sizing information
• Jock tag similar to the Pro Cut 1st Generation with the addition of sizing on the tag

2nd Generation

• Same features as 1st generation however jock tag and back tag is different ;
• Jock tag similar to the Pro Cut 2nd Generation minus the game issue tag
• Back tag will be one of two types. A small white tag with size and country it was made or a normal white tag with the size and country it was made

Swingman

Lower quality than Authentic jerseys and therefore cheaper

1st Generation Jersey

• Always stitched
• NBA logo on the front of the jersey
• Back tags identical to the 1st Generation Authentics back tags
• Jock tags almost identical to the 1st Generation Authentics back tags. Size is listed as a letter instead of a number

2nd Generation Jersey

• Heat pressed
• NBA logo on the front of the jersey
• Jock tag includes Adidas logo, NBA Authentics logo and the sizing with Length +2″ tab

Rev30 Generation Jersey

• Heat pressed
• NBA logo on the back of the jersey
• Jock tag similar to 2nd Generation Swingman with the addition of ‘swingman’ to the left of the Adidas logo

Soul Swingman Jersey

• Always stitched
• Back tags come in two types. First variation is similar to 2nd Generation Swingman and Rev30 jersey but tag is blue, not black
• Second back tag variation is half white and half blue featuring the NBA Logo and Adidas logo. Under that tag is a secondary tag listing materials, country of origin and size
• Jock tags come in two types. First variation is a dual tag with a Hardwood Classics tag and a main tag. This tag features the NBA logo, sizing, Adidas logo and team logo. Underneath will be the name of the player, player number and the timeline of years the jersey was worn. Jerseys with this variation will always have the Adidas logo stitched on
• Second jock tag variation is the Hardwood Classics tag with smaller tabs that list sizing and the extra length on the back of the jersey. Jerseys with the second jock tag variation will not have the Adidas logo stitched on the jersey

Replica

Lowest quality and cheapest genuine jersey. Replica jerseys lack premier in finishes with smaller mesh holes and may be missing details such as stripes etc.

1st Generation

• Screen printed
• Adidas logo
• Jock tag similar to 1st Generation Swingman but does not feature team logo on it

2nd Generation

• Same features as 1st generation however jock tag and back tag is different ;
• Jock tag features Adidas logo, NBA authentics logo and size
• Back tag same as 2nd Generation Swingman back tag

Shout out to all of those at #sportstalk. Originally posted at Wolf Gang Sports. I curate sports content on basketball, soccer, American football and more. Avid collector of sports jerseys, trading cards and streetwear paying homage to special moments in sports history. Check out the full blog and sign up to the newsletter to be the first to receive our sporting content that aims to provoke, thought, inspire and entertain.