The Best and Worst NBA Uniforms
The 2019-20 NBA season marks the third with Nike as the primary supplier of NBA game attire. Call it uniform chaos. As part of the money grab, each of the 30 teams has four versions from which to choose. There’s the Association Edition. And the City Edition. And the Icon Edition. And the Statement Edition.
Here’s the real statement: The more different combinations available, the more for sports junkies to fill their closets. Cha-ching, cha-ching.
Yet like expansion, more isn’t necessarily better from an aesthetic standpoint. There are only so many options on the palette, which explains why many of the more popular models remain throwbacks from past eras. For every new uni that’s a slam dunk, a bunch clang off the rim. That is, if they strike iron at all.
Here are the NBA uniform hits and misses, bottom to top.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers
Founded: 1970
NBA championships: 1 (2016)
Best seller: Forward Kevin Love
Bottom line: The wonks have decided to bring back the black-blue-orange concoction worn in the coach Mike Fratello years. Double borrriiiiing.
If this Classic Edition really is the harbinger of a new era as we’ve been told, then you won’t want to be at Rocket Mortage FieldHouse the next few years.
29. Dallas Mavericks
Founded: 1980
NBA championships: 1 (2011)
Best seller: Guard Luka Doncic
Bottom line: When the franchise unveiled its alternate City Edition model a year ago, the reaction was a resounding yawn.
The major complaint: There was no connection to the team, the city or its culture whatsoever.
Uh, Big D culture? Wait a sec. It’s here somewhere.
28. Denver Nuggets
Founded: 1967
NBA championships: None
Best seller: Center Nikola Jokic
Bottom line: The Mile High City has a certain uniqueness about it, but one would never know it to see these overhauled models. The only link is a small team logo that goes virtually unnoticed on the Statement Edition belt buckle and bottom of the shorts.
The circular wordmark on the jersey front is a ripoff of the Pacers' model. Or is it the other way around? The white trim on the Icon Edition navies is a really bad idea.
Consider the potential here, and these duds may be the biggest underachievers in the league.
27. Atlanta Hawks
Founded: 1946 (Buffalo Bisons)
Established in Atlanta: 1968
NBA championships: 1 (1958, St. Louis Hawks)
Best seller: Guard Trae Young
Bottom line: Could this be the farewell to Volt Green and Georgia Granite Gray and even that Pac-Man logo, too? Yesssss!
The decision-makers have all but promised major changes after five seasons of mediocrity.
One last request: Take those godawful red jerseys and gray shorts with you, OK?
26. Detroit Pistons
Founded: 1941 (Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons)
Established in Detroit: 1957
NBA championships: 3 (1989, 1990, 2004)
Top seller: Forward Blake Griffin
Bottom line: The new City Edition drew mixed reviews last season, not because of the overdue Motor City designation but the black and white color combo.
Where the heck did that come from exactly? Will a return to teal be next, dare we ask?
Meanwhile, there will be no throwback edition any time soon. Bummer.
25. Los Angeles Clippers
Founded: 1970 (Buffalo Braves)
Established in Los Angeles: 1984
NBA championships: None
Best seller: Swingman Paul George
Bottom line: This team may be the preseason championship favorites — wake me up when it happens — but their look remains decidedly meh.
The best of the bunch is the original Buffalo Braves model worn before the franchise headed to the Left Coast four decades ago. They’re a welcomed addition for a team that too often has dressed as badly as it played over the decades.
Remember that putrid red version with the white collar and maze-like LAC logo on the front? Good grief.
24. Phoenix Suns
Founded: 1968
NBA championships: None
Best seller: Guard Devin Booker
Bottom line: Their so-called Statement Edition features orange jerseys and orange shorts with a purple stripe and no mention of the team name anywhere. So what’s the message? These people really, really like orange.
The Planet Orange unis will be worn at Friday night home games except one against the Golden State Warriors, the team that they absolutely should wear them against every time.
Hey, if you can’t beat 'em, blind 'em.
23. Chicago Bulls
Founded: 1966
NBA championships: 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)
Best seller: Forward Lauri Markkanen
Bottom line: The Chicago municipal flag is well done, so it’s a natural for the City Edition alternate.
Yet there has to be some connection to its woebegone pro hoops team to be effective, and pitch partner Zenni (Optical) is the only word on the jersey. Ohhh-kaaaaay.
Rather than feature a red player numeral under the flag design, why not "BULLS" instead? Until then, No. 23 is about right here.
See what we did there, people?
22. Washington Wizards
Founded: 1961 (Chicago Packers)
Established in Washington: 1974 (Bullets), 1997 (Wizards)
NBA championships: 1 (1978, Washington Bullets)
Best seller: Guard John Wall
Bottom line: The Wizards' idea has become passe, The District thing has been drained dry, and stars and stripes are out for now. Relax, the jersey whisperer informs me that a cherry blossom theme could be next. Hey, why not?
Because no major sports team has a pink-rose combo as its primary colors, the franchise would have the market to itself. Think the fairer sex wouldn't like this even a little bit?
Oh, and Japanese product Rui Hachimura was their 2019 first-round draft pick, right? Just Try It.
21. Orlando Magic
Founded: 1989
NBA championships: None
Best seller: Forward Aaron Gordon
Bottom line: The blue-black-silver scheme is fine. So is the pin-striped model.
It’s just that the Magic defy their nickname with an utter lack of imagination. Isn't this supposed to be the home of Walt Disney World?
Come to think of it, give this project to the Disney minds and see what they can do with it.
20. New Orleans Pelicans
Founded: 2002
NBA championships: None
Best seller: Forward Zion Williamson
Bottom line: This franchise suffers from an identity crisis, with so many city and nickname changes over the years. So it’s no surprise that the more popular City Editions have no link to the Pelicans at all.
Fact is, this team always was and always will be the Jazz to many. So allow me to propose a trade: Utah sends its nickname back to its rightful owner, then it becomes the Stars as the one-time ABA champion was known back in the day.
Deal?
19. Milwaukee Bucks
Founded: 1968
NBA championships: 1 (1971)
Best seller: Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo
Bottom line: A year ago, the Bucks introduced an ultra bright yellow/red City Edition that was a spin-off of their old Mecca floor. Sad to report, numerous cases of retinal light toxicity were reported at Milwaukee home games.
Fortunately, the team's conventional home-road unis are much easier on the eyes even if the names Good Land Green, Cream City Cream and Great Lakes Blue are a tad much.
18. Indiana Pacers
Founded: 1967
NBA championships: None
Best seller: Guard Victor Oladipo
Bottom line: As part of one of the few major redesigns around the league, the full team name/player numeral that appears in a circular pattern on the front has a Hoosiers feel to it.
The gold stripes down the sides "invoke the imagery of Indiana farmland and are a physical representation of growth, tying into the notion that basketball is grown in Indiana," we’re told.
Give 'em credit for the old college try if nothing else.
17. New York Knicks
Founded: 1946
NBA championships: 2(1970, 1973)
Best seller: Guard Tim Hardway Jr.
Bottom line: The Knicks' new Statement Edition includes lettering and piping tweaks. No biggie.
Our version would say "Knickerbockers" on the front for the first time in franchise history. That’s really its nickname, you know. And the shorts would extend well below the knees, sort of like the Dutch settlers way back when.
Now that’s a Statement Edition, girls and boys.
16. Philadelphia 76ers
Founded: 1946 (Syracuse Nationals)
Established in Philadelphia: 1963
NBA championships: 3 (1955, 1967, 1983)
Best seller: Center Joel Embiid
Bottom line: Their new Classic Edition is a knockoff of the 1970-71 version worn briefly in the Billy Cunningham-Hal Greer days. It’s bright and clean and even the red- and blue-trimmed shorts are way cool.
Problem is, the "S" is shared across the front, which makes it look like these are the "eventy Sixers" at first glance.
Change to just plain Sixers, and these move up a few spots in the order.
15. San Antonio Spurs
Founded: 1967 (Dallas Chaparrals)
Established in San Antonio: 1973
NBA championships: 5 (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
Best seller: Guard DeMar DeRozan
Bottom line: Like the team itself, this look has been consistently effective if not predictable.
The camouflage City Edition pays tribute to local military roots, a common theme over the year.
Don’t be surprised if the popular teal/orange/fuchsia fiesta style of the David Robinson era makes a comeback soon.
14. Utah Jazz
Founded: 1974 (New Orleans Jazz)
Established in Utah: 1979
NBA championships: None
Best seller: Center Rudy Gobert
Bottom line: The Jazzmen sure have gotten a lot of mileage out of their purple mountain mamas.
Ahhh, for the days of John Stockton, Karl Malone, and the rest of Michael Jordan’s other supporting cast.
13. Charlotte Hornets
Founded: 1988
NBA championships: None
Best seller: Guard Kemba Walker (traded to Boston Celtics)
Bottom line: After flings with teal and white Class Editions the last two seasons, the franchise will bring the classic purple set out of mothballs on its 25th anniversary.
Muggsy Bogues, Larry Johnson, Alonzo Morning and the boys were the first to model them.
You know, back when the Queen City had a pro basketball team.
12. Toronto Raptors
Founded: 1995
NBA championships: 1 (2019)
Best seller: Forward Kawhi Leonard (signed as free agent with Los Angeles Clippers)
Bottom line: Last season, it was "We The North." Loved the message if not the look. This season, it’s the original home white with the lovable giant red raptor as part of a 25th-anniversary celebration.
The threads were worn in the 1999 Air Canada Centre debut against the Memphis (then Vancouver) Grizzlies, who have brought back their first model as well.
How cool would it be if both teams put on their originals when they meet twice this season?
11. Sacramento Kings
Founded: 1923 (Rochester Seagrams)
Established in Sacramento: 1985
NBA championships: 1 (1951, Rochester Royals)
Best seller: Guard De’Aaron Fox
Bottom line: Several retro combinations have been tried over the years with mostly positive results. Here’s a vote for the awesome purple-and-gold model.
This season, the 1991-94 royal blue version will make a comeback, the one with a scripted white "Kings" across the front and white-and-blue trim around the arms.
Don’t you just love the crown that dots the "i"? Bet Mitch Richmond will be proud.
10. Oklahoma City Thunder
Founded: 1967 (Seattle SuperSonics)
Established in Oklahoma City: 2008
NBA championships: 1 (1979)
Best seller: Guard Russell Westbrook (traded to Houston Rockets)
Bottom line: Four new models will be unveiled this season — white, black, orange and blue.
We prefer the black City Edition, which was designed in partnership with the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum on the 25th anniversary of the bombing downtown.
The franchise will underwrite a new permanent exhibit, which makes this uni a winner all the way around.
9. Memphis Grizzlies
Founded: 1995 (Vancouver Grizzlies)
Established in Memphis: 2001
NBA championships: None
Best seller: Guard Mike Conley (traded to Utah Jazz)
Bottom line: The team never won more than 23 games in five seasons in Vancouver, but its black-and-teal duds were contenders in the uni standings every year.
Lucky for us, the franchise will bring them back as part of its 20th anniversary in Memphis this season.
Long live Bryant "Big Country" Reeves.
8. Houston Rockets
Founded: 1967 (San Diego Rockets)
Established in Houston: 1971
NBA championships: 2 (1994, 1995)
Best seller: Guard James Harden
Bottom line: The font and stripe patterns have undergone subtle changes.
Thankfully, the familiar red look remains the same.
Sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with simplicity and stability, nothing at all.
7. Portland Trail Blazers
Founded: 1970
NBA championships: 1 (1977)
Best seller: Guard Damian Lillard
Bottom: As part of the team's 50th anniversary, Rip City has brought back the sweet 1977-78 model that it wore in its one and only championship season.
If only Lionel Hollins, Mo Lucas and Bill Walton could come back to wear them one more time.
6. Brooklyn Nets
Founded: 1967 (New Jersey Americans)
Established in Brooklyn: 2012
NBA championships: None
Best seller: Guard Spencer Dinwiddie
Bottom line: We're not alone in our addiction to the City Edition that was unveiled in the 2018-19 season, the one that pays tribute to rapper Biggie Smalls and his trademark Coogi sweaters.
It’s black and white and has BROOKLYN written all over it.
Per-fect.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Founded: 1989
NBA championships: None
Best seller: center Karl-Anthony Towns
Bottom line: The Prince-inspired, purple-on-purple alternate with jagged letters/numerals is as daring as the man was once himself.
The right shoulder features a pattern that mimics the one that the funk/pop/rock icon wore on his jackets in the "Purple Rain" days.
Sweet, indeed.
4. Boston Celtics
Founded: 1946
NBA championships: 17 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008)
Best seller: forward Jayson Tatum
Bottom line: All it took was some gold trim and a return to the city name on the front to take the City Edition whites to another level.
Only a select few franchises can get away with a tweak here, a tweak there.
The Celtics are one of them.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
Founded: 1947 (Minneapolis Lakers)
Established in Los Angeles: 1960
NBA championships: 16 (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010)
Best seller: Forward LeBron James
Bottom line: Almost can’t go wrong with these team colors and tradition. As part of the City Edition series, a Lakers legend serves as the guest designer each year. Cool.
Two years ago, Kobe Bryant came up with a black-and-gold model. Last season, Magic Johnson produced a similarly attractive purple-and-black pinstriped version.
This season, the team's City version reportedly will have a familiar look with the "Lakers" script on a gold jersey.
2. Golden State Warriors
Founded: 1946 (Philadelphia Warriors)
Established in California: 1962 (San Francisco), 1971 (Golden State)
NBA championships: 6 (1947, 1956, 1975, 2015, 2017, 2018)
Best seller: Guard Stephen Curry
Bottom line: The ex-champs will have almost as many different unis (six) as Draymond Green temper tantrums in their Chase Center debut. Cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching.
The bridge and font have been updated, and white has been removed from the color scheme, both with positive results.
Too bad that Kevin Durant won’t be seen in any of them.
1. Miami Heat
Founded: 1988
NBA championships: 3 (2006, 2012, 2013)
Best seller: Guard Dwyane Wade (retired)
Bottom line: Hey, look — a Miami team that actually looks like South Beach. Finally!
The hot pink numeral and teal Miami script on the jersey, teal logo on the shorts and matching combo trim on the waist/neck/shoulders are hotter than The Clevelander at midnight.
Really, Don Johnson might even look good in these.
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