Gallery: The Best Team Jerseys in NBA History
Which throwbacks should you be copping?
Image via Complex Original
A good jersey can set the tone for a franchise, whether they're just starting out or are hoping to revitalize their fanbase with a new and improved look. We've seen it before in the NFL when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ditched their Creamsicle unis to start donning the pewter and red. Or how about the stir the Miami Marlins created when they gave their jerseys and logo a complete redesign? It's undeniable that switching out the cover can often change how people read the book.
So with this idea in mind, we decided to take a look at the Best Team Jerseys in NBA History. When did your favorite basketball team get it the most right? Were you a fan of the teal-era Detroit Pistons? How about those rainbow-flavored Denver Nuggets unis? Or which teams have managed to keep their look the same over the years because of its sheer timelessness? Click through and see for yourself.
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Washington Wizards
Years worn: 2011-Present
Where to buy it: NBA Store
The Wizards made the smart move when they updated their wardrobe in 2011 by embracing the retro appeal of their old uniforms. The previous unis absolutely had to go and, much like the Sixers, the Wizards looked back to the past to outfit their future. We dig the result.
Utah Jazz
Years worn: 1996-2004
Where to buy it: Mitchell & Ness
Forget the NBA, this old Utah Jazz jersey is one of our favorite uniforms for any team in any sport. The artwork on these shirts is majestic. There's no other word for it. We want to live in these jerseys.
Toronto Raptors
Years worn: 1995-1999
Where to buy it: Mitchell & Ness
The purple versions of this jersey might be a little difficult to stomach, but when you have that raptor on a white background, the effect is completely different. Some might say it's overbearing, but we say that this jersey perfectly encapsulates the '90s fascination with cartoonish design. This is how you do a throwback.
San Antonio Spurs
Years worn: 1989-Present
Where to buy it: NBA Store
San Antonio's jerseys aren't terribly creative, but what else would you expect from a franchise that's as low-key and understated as the Spurs? Much like the actual team, these unis have been chugging along smoothly since they debuted in the 1989-1990 season. Why make a statement with your clothes when you could make it on the court?
Sacramento Kings
Years worn: 2011-Present
Where to buy it: NBA Store
To be honest, this jersey wins by default. There isn't too much too like about any of the Kings' uniforms. The purple is too bright, the script is all wrong, and the numbers are uncomfortably pointy and metallic. We chose the black because it helps to hide the shirt's less-flattering aspects.
Portland Trail Blazers
Years worn: 1977-1992
Where to buy it: NBA Store
It doesn't seem like a big change, but the Trail Blazers switch from lowercase to uppercase lettering in 1992 actually had a major effect on the overall aesthetic of their unis. While the newer jerseys are still good, we have to give it to the older ones here. Something about that lettering takes us back to the days of Bill Walton, Clyde Drexler, and everything that has ever been good for Portland.
Phoenix Suns
Years worn: 1992-2001
Where to buy it: NBA Store
The blazing sun across the chest has been, and always will be, the standout jersey design of its decade. Nash's Suns might have been the best Phoenix squad since the days of Sir Charles and KJ, but the latter duo absolutely crushed the "Seven Seconds or Less" team when it came to their gear. The newest redesign for Phoenix was clearly influenced by these jerseys, and you can believe that this choice was for the best.
Philadelphia 76ers
Years worn: 1977-1997
Where to buy it: NBA Store
These are pretty similar to the jerseys that Philly is rocking now, but the key difference is what's displayed on the front of them. With the current 76ers uniforms, we see "Sixers" stitched on the front. With these vintage shirts, we instead get "Phila." To us, that difference is key in uniting the team with their hometown of the City of Brotherly Love.
Orlando Magic
Years worn: 1989-1998
Where to buy it: NBA Store
The font on this jersey could maybe use some work, but the neon blue and black (with the white pinstripes, of course) is a look that we would love to see Orlando bring back. Glen Davis is no Shaq, but he could certainly do his best impression of him if the Magic were to resurrect this jersey. How else can you make a guy nicknamed "Big Baby" look intimidating down low?
Oklahoma City Thunder
Years worn: 2012-Present
Where to buy it: NBA Store
As the years have gone on, we're not so sure how we feel about the Thunder's strange, electric blue/orange color combo. It's a loud pairing that seems constantly in danger of becoming out of style. However, this navy and white alternate that the team introduced has nothing to worry about in that regard. The colors are timeless, while the vertical letter configuration on the front is constantly new and different.
New York Knicks
Years worn: 1992-Present
Where to buy it: NBA Store
The Knicks have kept a lot of things the same about their uniforms since their early days in the league, because when you represent a city as big as New York, it's important to have a uniform that's reliable and can stand the test of time. Much like the Yankees have their pinstripes, the Knicks have owned the orange and blue over the years. Sorry, Mets fans.
New Orleans Pelicans
Years worn: 2013-Present
Where to buy it: Pelicans Team Store
We haven't gotten to see these in action yet, but from a first glance, we like what we see with New Orleans' updated look. Whether that will translate to on-court success for a young, Pels squad remains to be seen, but at least Anthony Davis and Co. will have some fresh new gear to sport if they're getting pasted up and down the court by Dirk Nowitzki or Tim Duncan. Some franchises just have to know where and when to pick their battles. While they've dwelled in the cellars of their division for a few years now, New Orleans can now take comfort in the fact that they look good while doing it.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Years worn: 1998-2008
Where to buy it: eBay
The best thing going on for these jerseys? The tree-lined borders. The green accents the blue bordering on the numbers nicely, and doesn't try to compete with the black. Plus, KG killed it in these uniforms. Who else is there to talk about when it comes to Timberwolves?
Milwaukee Bucks
Years worn: 1997-2007
Where to buy it: eBay
Aside from their forever-questionable deer unis of the mid-'90s, a Bucks jersey has never been anything to write home about. But with the purple and white uniforms they were rocking at the beginning of the millennium, Milwaukee at least kept the design elements balanced enough to make a somewhat appealing uniform. Again, it's not exactly a thrill to look at but, honestly, neither are the Milwaukee Bucks.
Miami Heat
Years worn: 1999-Present
Where to buy it: NBA Store
There's something menacing about the way the Heat's unis blend black and red. For whatever reason, it actually seems to emanate physical heat in a way that underscores the team's roaring pace, emphatic style of play, and heartless efficiency. If there's any uniform that symbolizes the golden era for Miami's franchise, it's this one.
Memphis Grizzlies
Years worn: 1995-2001
Where to buy it: Mitchell & Ness
Today, these would stick out like a sore thumb in the NBA, but we still can't help but love them. The lettering and bordering look straight out of Jurassic Park, and that shade of aquamarine is something that you could only pull off in the '90s. Sign us up.
L.A. Lakers
Years worn: 1976-2000
Where to buy it: Mitchell & Ness
Kobe and Shaq have had Lakers jerseys to call their own, but even they couldn't overshadow this classic look once donned by Showtime-era Los Angeles. The shaded numbers are outdated now, but their place can't be forgotten in the aesthetic history of the league. Magic Johnson is one of the greatest players to ever suit up on the hardwood, and this is the jersey that you always saw him in.
L.A. Clippers
Years worn: 2010-Present
Where to buy it: NBA Store
With a franchise as sorry as the Clippers, we're surprised that it took them this long to introduce even the slightest change to their jersey. Switching out "Clippers" with "Los Angeles" on the front, the changes weren't terribly dramatic, but still signal a subtle shift from the design of the early-2000s to the sleeker apparel of today. Thankfully for them, the fortunes of the team have changed for the better recently. Still, we don't think that it'd be a terrible idea for them to re-do their look altogether.
Indiana Pacers
Years worn: 1997-2005
Where to buy it: NBA Store
Pinstripes are a hard look to master, but the Pacers managed to pull it together pretty well during their time with the look in the late-'90s and early aughts. With stripes like that, you're either going to look like the New York Yankees, or an awkwardly-dressed teenager going to his high school prom. The Pacers definitely had more a New York vibe going with these ones.
Houston Rockets
Years worn: 1995-2003
Where to buy it: Football Fanatics
The red and white color scheme of Houston's current jersey is just flat-out boring. If we had it our way, Dwight Howard would be suiting up in these navy blue, silver and red gems. How else is he supposed to channel his inner-Hakeem Olajuwon?
Golden State Warriors
Years worn: 2011-Present
Where to buy it: NBA Store
There are few team logos that get it more right than the bridge on the Warriors' current away jersey. The Golden Gate set against navy blue is perfectly put-together, and avoids the garish, overdone aspects of the team's previous logo: a warrior holding a lightning bolt.
Detroit Pistons
Years worn: 1996-2001
Where to buy it: Mitchell & Ness
The "teal" era isn't looked back too kindly upon by Pistons fans, but that had more to do with the team's poor performance on the court than what they were wearing. We admit, the color treads a fine line between sea green and a discomforting hue of vomit, but we still think it manages to trend more toward the former. We aren't sure that we'd like to see the Pistons bring these back full-time, but if we're looking to rock a Detroit jersey on our own any time soon, you can be sure that this is the one we're copping.
Denver Nuggets
Years worn: 1982-1992
Where to buy it: On The Field
You're either going to love these jerseys or you're going to hate them, but it's impossible to deny that these shirts make a statement. Whether you believe that the rainbow color band is totally groovy or a complete eyesore, the image is still an iconic one for Denver. They had their time, and we're glad to see them go, but there's no question that these jerseys are some of the most famous in sports.
Dallas Mavericks
Years worn: 1993-2001
Where to buy it: NBA Store
It's not that the Mavs' jerseys today aren't good, it's just that they don't pop quite in the same way that the Dallas unis of old did. Green is an underutilized color in sports, but the Mavs were able to pull it off nicely back in the day, using it as a crucial border between the blue and the whites of the design. Would it still work today, though? Kelly green had its time with the Mavs, as well as the Philadelphia Eagles, but that shade just isn't made for these times.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Years worn: 2010-Present
Where to buy it: NBA Store
The Cavs made the right choice in bringing back the wine and gold color scheme. As they've moved away from the LeBron-era, ditching that metallic gold and crimson red has been a necessary step in reforming the team's image. Thankfully, Dan Gilbert avoided Comic Sans MS font when deciding on the lettering for the new jerseys.
Chicago Bulls
Years worn: 1985-Present
Where to buy it: NBA Store
Chicago's jerseys have undergone relatively few changes since the franchise was started in 1966. With the exception of the added logo on the back, the current team has the exact same uniform as the Jordan-era Bulls. If you have the choice, though, always take the Jordan jersey over a D-Rose one. Like Tiger wearing red on Sundays, Jordan owned the color in a way that defined competitiveness for his sport.
Charlotte Bobcats
Years worn: 2012-Present
Where to buy it: NBA Store
Much like the franchise itself, the previous Bobcats jerseys were uninspired and disappointing and, while the team might still suck, at least their shirts are looking a bit better these days. Putting "Cats" right on the chest is a bold move, but we always support putting a spotlight on team nicknames. Don't get too close to these unis, though. That name-change is just a season away.
Brooklyn Nets
Years worn: 2012-Present
Where to buy it: NBA Store
Even when you consider the earlier Nets jerseys, the newest unis that Brooklyn has been rocking still come out on top. We could do without the v-neck, but the black and white color scheme is an appropriate reflection of the team's gritty home borough. Hova: you got it right with this one.
Boston Celtics
Years worn: 1946-Present
Where to buy it: Mitchell & Ness
Since nearly the beginning, the Celtics have had basically the same jerseys. Why change the good thing you have going? What worked for Bill Russell or Larry Bird is definitely good enough for the scrubs they have on their team now.
Atlanta Hawks
Years worn: 1982-1992
Where to buy it: Mitchell & Ness
A jersey has never reflected a team so well: solid, unflashy, and able to just barely get the job done. Much like their uniforms, the Hawks have often been dependable.We're sorry, Atlanta fans, but the unis your squad is rocking nowadays aren't really doing it for us. Will they look any better when your guys are getting taken to the rack in them by LeBron or John Wall this season? Not likely.