10 Throwback Jerseys the NBA Needs to Bring Back

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Image via FootBasket
Image via FootBasket

Finally, after a long summer and the USA's rout of the competition in the 2014 FIBA World Cup, the NBA is back in action. Here at Sneaker Report, we pay a great amount of attention to what sneakers are laced up throughout the season, but that's not the only thing. Uniforms and on court apparel drive us as well, and there's nothing better then the nostalgic feeling that a throwback jersey can bring.

The NBA has always been on the forefront of uniform design, bringing some of the most iconic looks to the hardwood that will forever be engrained in our memory. Who could forget the legendary Laker purple and gold with Magic at the helm, or Reggie Miller taunting Spike Lee in the Pacer's Flo-Jo uniforms. Every so often, NBA teams will dig into the archive and bring out a throwback that strikes a cord, and brings you back to a certain moment in time. With the season underway, we put together a list of uniforms that deserve another chance to stake their claim in the league and rewrite history in a classic look. Here's 10 Throwback Jerseys the NBA Needs to Bring Back. 

Danny Mitchell is a freelance writer from New York and contributor to Sneaker Report with an unwavering passion for the Knicks, sneakers, golf, and vintage 90′s gear. Find him on Twitter @dmitch_23

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Image via HuffingtonPost
Image via HuffingtonPost

It was Always Miller Time in the Flo-Jo's

Team: Indiana Pacers
Seasons worn: 1990-1997

Designed by Olympic track legend Florence Griffith Joyner, the Pacers uniform from the '90s is the most iconic look in team history. While wearing the Flo-Jo's, the Pacers made it to the playoffs six consecutive times, and sparked the career of one of the greatest shooters the league ever saw in Reggie Miller. With the loss of Paul George for the season, Indiana needs a nice pick-me-up, and the Flo-Jo's may be the answer.

Image via CBS
Image via CBS

MJ Brought Back the Hornets Name, Why Not The Uniforms?

Team: Charlotte Hornets
Seasons worn: 1988-2002

After a rather unsuccessful run under the Bobcats name, Charlotte fans can rejoice as their beloved Hornets are once again back in town. Over the summer, the Hornets debuted their new uniforms for the upcoming season and to be honest they're not bad. The uniforms feature a similar aesthetic and logo as their golden era with Alonzo and LJ, but failed bring back the iconic jersey we all fell in love with. With the king of retro, Michael Jordan at the helm, hopefully inspiration strikes and we see this look back on the floor sooner then later.

Image via Rant Sports
Image via Rant Sports

Let the Big Buck Roam Free in Milwalkee  

Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Seasons worn: 1995-1997

To be honest, these uniforms usually strike a love/hate reaction. Milwaukee briefly brought back the "Big Buck" jersey last year as part of a special throwback collection, but only ended up wearing them twice during the season. The Bucks are going through one of the worst runs in franchise history as they've only made it to the playoffs three times in the last ten years. With a new coach in Jason Kidd, the uniforms could light a fire under the young group and help them channel the days of Glenn Robinson and Ray Allen. One thing we do know, Jabari Parker could match some serious Jordan PE's with this look.

Image via FootBasket
Image via FootBasket

In That Red and Yellow Thing, Old School Atlanta Hawks

Team: Atlanta Hawks
Seasons worn: 1995-1999

For whatever reason, these Hawks uniforms catch a lot of heat. Maybe the modern look was too big of a change for Hawks fans who grew up with the classic look from the Dominique era, but those times are over. No offense to Atlanta, but their current jersey rotation is one of the most basic, and unappealing looks in the league. Switching back to this modern classic could light a fuse for the Hawks, who are currently trying to regain traction as a viable squad in the Eastern Conference.

Image via Fansided
Image via Fansided

It's Finally Time for the Rockets to Blast Off Again

Team: Houston Rockets
Seasons worn: 1995-2003

Some may consider the cartoonish nature of this Rockets logo a bit out of touch with the modern aesthetics, but its time for change in Houston. Since the days of Barkley, Olajuwon, and Drexler, the Rockets always had some of the cleanest and visually pleasing uniforms in the league. The current regime in Houston has gotten away from the '90s vibe and gone with a more modern, simplistic design that hasn't exactly yielded results. Dwight already practices with Hakeem in the offseason, why not rock the same uniforms as him? Maybe it'll teach him how to make a free throw.

Image via WearCavsNation
Image via WearCavsNation

Call it a Welcome Home Gift for LeBron

Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Seasons worn: 1994-1997

During the first go around with LeBron in Cleveland, we saw just about every throwback uniform the Cavs had in their arsenal, except for these. During the Shawn Kemp and Brevin Knight era, Cleveland saw several winning seasons only managed to get past the first round of the playoffs once. As part of a special collection last year, the Cavs brought back the black uniforms for a couple games but failed to stick. With the high-flying makeup of the 2014-15 Cavaliers, paying homage to Kemp and the gang could bring another level of swag to Ohio.

Image via Pinterest
Image via Pinterest

The Detroit Players Could Use Some Horse Power

Team: Detroit Pistons
Seasons worn: 1995-2001

The Bad Boys probably wouldn't of approved of the teal look the Pistons opted for in the mid '90s as it didn't exactly fit their hard nosed, brash style of play. Those days in the NBA are all but over, so it's time the Pistons go back in the vault and dust these bad boys off. With Stan Van Gundy taking over in Detroit to try to revive the franchise after it's worst slump in years, why not draw some more attention by breaking out some of the cleanest uniforms the league has ever seen.

Image via Breakthehuddle
Image via Breakthehuddle

Unleash the Grizzly Bear on Memphis 

Team: Vancouver Grizzlies
Seasons worn: 1995-2001

At first glance, the Vancouver Grizzlies uniforms have a lot going on. The aqua color, a big bear claw running down the shorts, and a trim unlike any other uniform in the league, the Grizzlies truly set themselves apart, which is what the NBA is currently missing. Uniforms of today are more simplistic and toned down, with very little individuality between teams. Although Vancouver isn't around anymore, it's time to breath new life into this look and use them in every day rotation in Memphis.

Image via Pinterest
Image via Pinterest

Riding the Rocky Mountain High

Team: Utah Jazz
Seasons worn: 1996-2004

Although John Stockton and Karl Malone never won an NBA title, they're legacy will always be tied together. Their run catapulted the Jazz to the franchise they are today, so its surprising the Utah hierarchy hasn't decided to revisit the look. Time to dump those hideous green uniforms from the last few years, and bring back the Rocky Mountain look that truly embodies what Utah is really about.

Image via SportingNews
Image via SportingNews

Drizzy, Let's Bring the Raptors Back to Toronto

Team: Toronto Raptors
Seasons worn: 1995-1999

It's been OVO season in Toronto, as Drake was hired as "ambassador" for the Raptors last year. Drizzy's first order of business shouldn't of been an OVO lint roller, instead he should of focused on bringing back the "Dino" jerseys that made the franchise what it is today. The high-flying days of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady spawned an era of Raptors fans, and the jersey hasn't gone out of style since. While Toronto still uses the Raptor in it's logo, the uniforms have yet to make a comeback, and that time has come. To be fair, Raptors executives have stated they planned on bringing back the "Dino" uniform, but until we see them on court, they remain at the top of our list.

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