Image via Complex Original
The Chicago Bulls may still be rocking the same pissed off stag since 1966; but everybody else has edited their initial ad pitch. Sometimes edits are good, we mean the Detroit Pistons may have felt they created a unique name with local flavor but didn't think of a mascot they could tie-in that would strike fear in their opponents. The Denver Nuggets had identity crisis after identity crisis. And who could have possibly foreseen that, after an invasion of their land, Native Americans wouldn't be cool with their ancestors portrayed as goofballs for corporate gain?
With today being the 44th birthday of the Jerry West inspired NBA logo we thought we'd offer you a flashback to the ghosts of NBA's past with some iconic trademarks that may bring back great as well as awful memories (though odds are you weren't alive for most of these). None of them made it 44 times around the sun but they gave the league an injection of personality in an era of afros and nut-suffocating short shorts. Take a look at some of the early joints that we wholeheartedly miss in Classic NBA Logos We'd Like to Be Brought Back.
Houston Rockets
Date: 1995-2003
Sure he's all cute and friendly til he blows up a hospital. Anything is better than Houston's current logo.
Seattle Supersonics (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Date: 1967-1970
The city's dying for another team.
Denver Nuggets
Date: 1949-1950
The original Denver name would've made more sense with 'turd' in front of it, in two seasons they went 29-95. But this could be a cool bobble-head for Fan Night or something.
Cincinnati Royals (Sacramento Kings)
Date: 1957-1971
No time makes more sense than the present. New owner, new beginning, old logo.
Vancouver (Memphis) Grizzlies
Date: 1995-1999
If it wasn't for the colors we'd have no clue what the hell this was.
Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (Detroit Pistons)
Date: 1941-1948
This actually makes a lot more sense than the horse, although those human hands are disturbing as hell.
Charlotte Hornets
Date: 1990-2002
We hope Mike doesn't get too cute.
Buffalo Braves (Los Angeles Clippers)
Date: 1970-1971
Good Lord were 90 percent of the early logos related to Native Americans? We like this one, though.
Toronto Huskies
Date: 1946-1947
Of course for this to fully make sense you'd have to bring the team back, but this logo looks like it came from the winner of a third grade art contest. Priceless.
Providence Steam Rollers
Date: 1946-1949
The most ironic name in pro basketball hisotry, their combined record from 1947-49 was, 18-90.
Denver Rockets (Denver Nuggets)
Date: 1971-1974
It's like a dude got his penis stuck in a pencil sharpener and decided to turn it into a mascot.
Dallas Mavericks
Date: 1980-2001
The original Maverick.
St. Louis Bombers
Date: 1946-1950
You know what, on second thought this would probably be terrible. After any tragedy we'd have to have phony debates on whether it's appropriate or not.
Houston Rockets
Date: 1971-1972
The only way short white dudes could compete in the '70s.
Atlanta Hawks
Date: 1972-1995
What do you see, a bird or Pac-Man eating a bird?
Orlando Magic
Date: 2001-2010
Orlando's current uniforms or so basic and blah. They need to bring the Penny and T-Mac eras back.
Seattle Supersonics
Date: 2002-2008
Give Seattle the Sonics back!
Baltimore Bullets
Date: 1947-1954
An appropriate name for a team in Baltimore. They should've kept the name. "Wizards" will forever be corny.
Los Angeles Lakers
Date: 1947-1960
Back when the nickname made a lot more sense.
San Antonio Spurs
Date: 1990-2002
The Spurs should bring this logo back. Maybe they won't be so boring anymore.
Philadelphia (Golden State) Warriors
Date: 1951-1962
At least the name isn't racist.
Milwaukee Bucks
Date: 1969-1993
We're here, we're deer, get used to it.
New York Knicks
Date: 1946-1964
The founding fathers were actually the inspiration for the AND1 Mixtape Tour. Franklin to Jefferson was the greatest show on courts until "Lob City."
