Inside Label: Los Angeles Lakers 2000 NBA Champions Cap by PUMA

The offensive dominance of basketball exploded during the 1990’s. The rapid change of pace and the quick moving, stylized moves took the NBA to a higher level. The game became a global phenomenon after the Dream Team was formed. The professional Olympians dominated the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, drawing fans throughout the world. Michael Jordan began to dominate the hardwood, securing a legacy within the game and the sporting world. Jordan sat at the thrown of Phil Jackson’s triangular offensive attack. His presence secured three consecutive NBA titles twice within the decade. Each title came under the calm presence of Coach Jackson.

In 1999, the Los Angeles Lakers began courting the Zen master, Coach Jackson, out of retirement to help unify the potential of their offense. The ankle breaking Kobe Bryant and the super human power of Shaquille O’Neal needed structure to bring a title back to Los Angeles. Jackson agreed to terms and began his time with the Lakers during the 1999-2000 NBA season.
In accepting the philosophy of Coach Jackson the Lakers were unstoppable. They rolled right into the NBA Finals, facing Larry Bird’s Indiana Pacers. The Lakers would defeat the Pacers, winning their first of three consecutive titles. 
This cap was presented to the Los Angeles Lakers during their first of three consecutive NBA championship titles. Designed by Puma, this hat is constructed out of white wool and stitched in a standard six panel style. White embroidered eyelets are punched on the panels and a black button sits at the top of the crown. Puma’s trademarked logo is directly embroidered in black thread on the left side panel. The NBA logo, which is a silhouette image of Lakers great Jerry West, is embroidered in white, red and blue thread on the right side panel.
The cap features a stylized velcro back strap. Resting on the back of the cap is a direct embroidered image of the Larry O’Brien Trophy. The embroidery of the trophy consists of white, gold and black thread. The front two panels of the cap is a heat-sealed patch of the Los Angeles Lakers. The patch is embroidered in the Lakers standard colors, yellow, black and purple thread. Resting at the top of the stitched Lakers logo is NBA CHAMPIONS. It is embroidered in red, black, white and grey thread. The brim of the hat is tightly wrapped in a black poly based material. It is attached to the hat crown in a single needle style. The title year is directly embroidered onto the brim in white and black thread.

This cap is a celebration of a three year dynasty backed by the mystical approach of a legendary coach. The Los Angeles Lakers were the first champions within the new millennium. With the 2010 NBA season beginning, the Lakers are looking to defend their most recent title, making another worthy note in the history of the franchise.

Text: J.Wheeler