I’m really good at being late to trends and this is no different. Here are my (really late) NBA City uniform rankings.
#30 – San Antonio Spurs
Sorry San Antonio. I know the message behind the uniforms is a great one. I’m all for honouring the troops, but this uniform is just a cluttered mess.
#29 – Houston Rockets
This one is low for two reasons. There isn’t really a strong Asian community in Houston and this uniform is way too similar to their other ones. No originality here.
#28 – Atlanta Hawks
Gross colour scheme. Gross font choice. Too many weird triangles on the sides. The only reason this isn’t dead last is because of the tribute to the throwback Hawks uniforms with the stripe that runs down the front.
#27 – Boston Celtics
Similar to Houston’s, this jersey just lacks originality and I know Boston’s uniforms are pretty “traditional” but ehh, mix it up a bit.
#26 – Oklahoma City Thunder
I just really, really don’t like the colour scheme on this one. Don’t have another reason. Just don’t like it.
#25 – Brooklyn Nets
They tried to win me over with some pinstripes, which after about five seconds of research, I learnt that it’s supposed to represent the Brooklyn Bridge…nice try Brooklyn.
#24 – Toronto Raptors
Maybe I’m biased but any team that let’s an overrated rapper design their uniforms automatically loses points. Me not really liking the design doesn’t help either though.
#23 – Utah Jazz
I get what they were going for, trying to emulate the sunrise along Utah’s mountain ranges. So, why not add an homage to the old blue and purple uniforms with the mountain range by adding that in somewhere with this colour. That would’ve put this way higher up my rankings.
#22 – Phoenix Suns
I actually like the purple but there isn’t much else to this.
#21 – Washington Wizards
Of the plain white uniforms, this one is the most boring. Why not incorporate the American flag or something?
#20 – LA Clippers
No reason for this other than I hate the colour scheme. Baby blue and bright orange? Eww.
#19 – Dallas Mavericks
I actually really like the colour scheme on this one but it’s just a really plain design. I also hate the fact it says “DAL” instead of “DALLAS” or “MAVERICKS.” Hell, I’d even be ok with “MAVS.”
#18 – Golden State Warriors
I like what they were thinking with this one but that logo in the middle is really unclear. I didn’t even notice the bridge until I zoomed in on it.
#17 – Detroit Pistons
I’m one of the few fans of the Pistons chrome alternate jerseys and, while I think this one is an improvement, it’s not as clean-looking as the other plain jerseys and doesn’t do enough to stand out like the more colourful designs.
#16 – Orlando Magic
This jersey is my guilty pleasure. I don’t know why but I really like it, even though I know I shouldn’t. It loses points though due to it’s lack of the actual team name on the jersey.
#15 – New Orleans Pelicans
The colours on this are straight fire but as hard as I tried to ignore it, I just can’t handle how crooked the numbers are! It’s driving me nuts!
#14 – Philadelphia 76ers
This one has a nice look and is meant to represent the declaration of independence with the colour and font. To me, it’s just too similar to the christmas jerseys…but it’s still nice.
#13 – Memphis Grizzlies
While I love how crisp and clean this looks, and I truly love the message behind this one, I just like the rest of the jerseys a little bit more.
#12 – Chicago Bulls
I don’t think this one looks as crisp as the Memphis jersey but I’m a sucker for that font and the red trim makes it pop too.
#11 – Denver Nuggets
That logo is really nice and carried this jersey quite high up the ranks but it loses points for having no team name on the front.
#10 – Cleveland Cavaliers
I don’t know what it is but the grey and yellow just works for me. The font also pops off the front. The reason this one isn’t even higher is because I’m not a fan of the look of the numbers used here.
#9 – Sacramento Kings
This one is similar to the Nuggets one. Small numbers on front. No team name. But I love the colour scheme. Baby blue, red and white just works together, plus that logo, straight fuego!
#8 – Portland Trail Blazers
I keep talking about colour schemes but red on black just works. Love the plaid design on the front too but it’s the red on black that makes this one so good.
#7 – New York Knicks
The tribute to the New York fire department is a really nice touch and a nice way to stray a little from the traditional Knicks uniform.
#6 – Indiana Pacers
I love the yellow on blue. I love the number inside the circle. I love the thick racing stripe down the side. This uniform is slick.
#5 – LA Lakers
This jersey is a tribute to the Black Mamba himself, with the black colouring and the snakeskin pattern on the front. I also love how the font and numbers are just left black with the yellow outline.
#4 – Minnesota Timberwolves
Out of the “plain” designs, this one is the cleanest. The grey is meant to represent the fur of the wolf and it looks tight. So much better than those lime green atrocities!
#3 – Milwaukee Bucks
This one breaks my rules; no team name and tiny numbers on the front. But the design is just super cool. That Bucks logo is super nice and with cream colour (apparently Milwaukee is known as the Cream City, I didn’t know that) and the stripes going along the front, this is a killer design.
#2 – Charlotte Hornets
Call me biased but the Hornets have the best colour scheme in the entire NBA. The Hornets also have the advantage of being able to use the jumpman logo instead of the simple tick and that just helps set this jersey apart from the rest.
#1 – Miami Heat
Man, this jersey. I’m in love. Like, I need to get one of these in my size. It just screams 80s and I love it. The hot pink, the cool font. I just love the whole thing and I am going to start a petition to make every Miami team have uniforms just like this. Now excuse me while I go dig out my PS2 and boot up Grand Theft Auto: Vice City!
Peace!