Every 2021-2022 NBA City Edition Uniform Explained

All thirty NBA teams released their brand new 2021-22 Nike City Edition uniform at the exact same time on the morning of November 1, 2021. Not nice for your local uniform reporter but lots of fun for uniform fans!

Each uniform is a mashup of several uniforms throughout a team’s franchise history, this is being done in recognition of the NBA’s 75th anniversary celebrations being held throughout the 2021-2022 season. I’ll be explaining as many of the inspirations behind each of these designs as I can, if I miss something or make a mistake please let me know in the comments.

Let’s go!

ATLANTA HAWKS

The Atlanta Hawks are going with a yellow base as they did on their alternate uniforms from 2004-05 through 2006-07. Across the chest is the wordmark style used during the Pistol Pete days of the early ’70s, recoloured to black and red. The number style is the same as what the team wore during their move from St. Louis to Atlanta in 1968 and positioned as it was in the late ’90s. The big draw here is the large hawk logo across the chest, similar to what the club wore from 1995 to 1999, now without that black-to-red gradient below it.

Here’s the official explanation courtesy Nike:

The front numbers and the stripe configuration on the shorts pay tribute to the first uniforms debuted in 1968, while the back numbers hearken to the highlight era of the ’80s. The wingspan logo of the ‘90s makes a bold return across the front, while the beloved Primary Icon logo goes front and center on the belt. And the jersey anthem calls out the city’s iconic “404” with the razor-talon Hawk.

BOSTON CELTICS

When you’re one of the original franchises still remaining from the NBA’s first season, you go all the way back for your 75th. Boston is wearing green with “CELTICS” arched across the front in green with a drop shadow similar to what the club wore during the 1949-50 season. The sides of the shorts feature a triangle design with a shamrock as they did from 1946-49, inside the shamrock is “RED” a tribute to legendary Celtics coach Red Auerbach. The opposite side of the shorts features the Celtics’ 75th anniversary logo.

From Nike:

It’s a tall task to pick a collection of greatest moments for your franchise when 17 championship banners hang from the rafters. The Nike NBA City Edition uniforms focus on lettering and striping details from the ’46 and ’49 Celtic teams, as well as some signature details (Lucky thqe Leprechaun returns) from the franchise’s untouched run in the ’60s.

BROOKLYN NETS

The Brooklyn Nets are leaning heavily into their years as the New Jersey (and New York) Nets for their 2021-22 City Edition uniform, the layout of the uniform harkens back to the style they used with numerous variations for nearly twenty years between 1972 and 1990. Across the chest is the wordmark used on their next jersey style which lasted from 1990 to 1997. The team’s primary logo from 1997 until 2012, their last in New Jersey, is on the waistband of the shorts while the side of the shorts uses a modifed version of their team logo from 1979-90. A team logo history (thumbs up!) is placed in the lower left corner of the jersey.

From Nike:

Marking the team’s path from New York to New Jersey and back again, the argyle side panel is a tribute to the repeat Eastern Conference championships from the ’01-‘02 and ’02-‘03 seasons. The patch on the shorts is a throwback to the ’80s, while the red, white and blue color blocking reaches back to the franchise’s ABA roots. On top of the navy body color, the black space symbolizes a team on the rise, poised to leave a new mark on the league.

CHARLOTTE HORNETS

The Hornets are teal with a honeycomb gradient, down the front of the jerseys are a series of blue, green, and purple pinstripes as the original version of the Hornets wore on multiple uniform designs from 1988 until 1997. The “Charlotte” script across the front was never worn on a uniform but, Nike says, it recalls the clubs late ’80s playoff run. Someone will need to explain how to me if they know. Number font is the same as the team wears now and has since they returned to the Hornets name in 2014. A little nod to the Charlotte Bobcats (remember them?!) by way of the left-justified number position, as the Bobcats wore from 2004 to 2009.

From Nike:

The “Charlotte” script wordmark has never been used on a Hornets uniform, a detail calling to mind the team’s postseason run in the late ’80s. On the front of the jersey, the numbers are styled in the way of the current Hornets font, right justified on the front as a throwback to the Bobcats jerseys from ‘04-’09 and ‘12-’14, and the player name on the back honors the classic Hornets font. The iconic pinstripes return in purple, green and blue, commemorating the first team in league history to wear them on a jersey. The shorts bring back the original Hugo design from the team’s founding year in 1988.

CHICAGO BULLS

The Chicago Bulls are of course incorporating their run of six NBA titles over eight seasons into their design by way of the jock tag in the lower right of the jersey. The script across the front is a throwback to what the team wore from 1973 to the early Jordan years in 1985 (Nike’s release makes an error here, you’ll see). The number includes a drop shadow as they did during the Bulls’ first seasons from 1966 to 71. On the shorts is the stars from the Chicago city flag, a frequent source of inspiration on Bulls City uniforms in recent years, the side of the shorts incorporate the black with red pinstripe design used on the Bulls’ alternate uniforms from 1995 to 1997.

Nike’s description:

The unforgettable script from the Bulls’ debut ’66 season graces the jersey chest. Two callouts to the team’s three-peats cover the area above the jock tag. The four stars of the city’s flag stud the belt buckle, while on the diamond cutout of the shorts, a black pinstripe pattern hearkens back to the team’s second three-peat.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

The Cavaliers paid tribute to several eras of their team’s identity, with the wine and gold of their early seasons along with the alternating striping style around the collar and sleeves from 1974 to 1980. The club’s original primary logo, used from 1970-83 front and centre on the chest, similar in style to the alternate worn by the Cavs from 2017-20. The number font is the same, but recoloured, as what the Cavs wore during their black and sky blue era in the ’90s.

On the shorts we see some classic club logos, the ’90s black era is on one leg, the modern “C” on the other. The waistband contains a combo logo mixing their ’80s and early ’90s “CAVS” wordmark with the basketball arch of the late ’90s and early ’00s.

From Nike:

The uniforms are styled in the franchise’s classic crimson and gold, a pattern that honors the return of the team’s swashbuckling swordsman from the ’70s and the Miracle at Richfield. The jersey pays tribute to the ’16 championship season, and the legendary comeback that brought the city its first title in generations. The shorts rep the Cavs logo from the ’80s and ’90s playoff runs on one leg, and the logo from the historic ’16 season on the other.

DALLAS MAVERICKS

The Dallas Mavericks are returning to their original colour scheme of blue and green, worn originally from 1980 through 2001. The logo across the chest reminds us of that worn on their road jersey from 1980-91, modified now to include the cowboy hat and basketball used on their logo of the time (though that logo always showed an “M” on the ball, never a “D”). Striping around the sleeves is similar to the newer style Mavs uniforms as is the number placement. On the shorts is a Dallas skyline, an updated version as worn on their alternates from 2015 to 2019, the original “M” logo from 1980-2001, and a recoloured (yes please!) horsehead logo from their logo set in use since 2001.

The lower right of the jersey contains the acronym “MFFL”, a social media hashtag used by the team and its fans which means “Mavs Fan For Life”.

Nike:

Although the City Edition uniform brings back the green accents and western-style typography of the franchise’s early years, this season is the first time that a cowboy hat is set on top of the Dallas wordmark. The shorts include the style of cowboy hat featured graphically from the team’s first 20 years, the horse from its second 20, and a belt buckle with a giant Texas skyline

DENVER NUGGETS

The Nuggets threw a lot at us here with their 2021-22 City Edition set, let’s unpack. Across the chest is the “Denver” wordmark used by several Nuggets uniforms but first used, in this way, on the set worn from 1977 to 1982 (it actually debuted on a jersey as part of larger logo in 1975), this font style was carried over onto a few other future uniforms eventually being worn in one manner or another from 1975-1985.

Player numbers are from the team uniforms worn from 1993-2003, the large diamonds on either side are from their ABA days worn for just the 1974-75 season, that multicoloured rainbow “Tetris” pattern comes by way of the Nuggets famous skyline set, worn across several designs from 1982 to 1983. There is also a brief incorporation of the team’s sky blue and yellow colours that they wore from 2000 to 2017 in the collar and shorts waistband.

Take it away, Nike:

Uniform details from the team’s fast-breaking game play of the ’80s and its shocking postseason run in ’94 make their way into this year’s City Edition jersey. A shimmering rainbow tetris pattern returns on the side paneling, the shorts and the neckline. Maxie the Miner, the team’s original mascot, appears on the belt buckle. The number set stretches back to the ’93-’94 to ’02- ‘03 uniforms. The diamond insert is a tribute to the identity of the ’75–’76 ABA team.

DETROIT PISTONS

While you may have wished for a red, white, and blue version of their ’90s look, the Detroit Pistons are instead going with something a little more subtle… and then adding lightning bolts! The set is red with “DETROIT” arched across the front in the same font used by the team from 1981 to 1996 (though those jerseys always read “PISTONS” never “DETROIT”), below this is a number in the same typeface as what the club has used since 2001. Striping on the sides are a nod to that teal flaming horse design from 1996-2001.

On the shorts we see the lightning bolts from the uniform worn by the Pistons from 1978-81, the Flaming Horse gets on the waistband, the current logo on the right leg and the original logo from 1957 on the left.

Nike:

The jersey proudly displays “Detroit” across the chest set against accented teal, royal and white arm taping. The side paneling is a nod to the Pistons squads of the mid to late ’90s. Both the Pistons’ former and current patches are featured on opposite sides of the shorts and are set against lightning bolt strikes, reminiscent of the team’s late ’70s aesthetics. The color-block waistband is a remix of the classic flaming horse logo and the ’90s era graphics.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

The Golden State Warriors are going with a black base, a nod to their “The Town” Statement Edition uniforms worn in honour of their former home city of Oakland from 2017-2020, on the chest is the club’s current primary logo with the pattern of the ceiling from their longtime home arena, the Oakland Arena (plus many other corporate names along the way). Down each side of the jersey is a lightning bolt, a nod to the Warriors 1997 to 2001 uniforms. On the shorts is the club’s State of California logo used from 1975-97 and their 75th anniversary logo for the current 2021-22 season.

Nike says:

The uniform’s inspiration began with Oakland, the team’s home for nearly 50 years. Based in black, the Bay Bridge logo is surrounded by a design representing the roof of the team’s former arena. As a tribute to the We Believe Warriors of the late 2000s, lightning bolts line the uniform’s side panels. The shorts are embellished with a golden trim and feature two logos: one from the We Believe era, and the other marking the Warrior’s 75th anniversary.

HOUSTON ROCKETS

Now here’s a team going all in on their oddball ’90s design. The Houston Rockets have taken the base blue with white pinstripes worn from 1995 to 2003 and combined it with the “Houston” jersey wordmark from 1982-95. On the shorts we continue the ’90s pinstripes but mix in the rocket ship side panels from 2003-19. On the waistband is a re-coloured version of their two-time, two-time championship logo, used from 1973 to 1995.

Nike says…

The uniform’s style is inspired by the mid ’90s jerseys, with white pinstripes fading into navy continuing to the shorts. The belt buckle features the team logo from the Clutch City championship years of ’94 and ’95. The two logos, pulled from the 2000s, mark two moments: one for Houston’s No. 1 draft pick, and the other from the team’s memorable 22-game winning streak.

INDIANA PACERS

For their 2021-22 City Edition uniform, the Indiana Pacers have mashed up their late ’80s set with their early ’90s jerseys. Across the chest is a combination of the wordmark the club wore across their jerseys from 1985 to 1990 with the typeface from the City Edition uniforms in 2018-19. The striping across the front is an exaggerated version of the “FloJo” striping the team used up the side of their uniforms from 1990 to 1997.

On the shorts, the Pacers are wearing their current secondary logo, a state map of Indiana with the streaking basketball from their primary logo. On the side of the shorts is a combination logo, we see the team’s original logo featuring a hand grabbing a basketball mixed with the basketball design of the team’s modern primary logo.

From Nike…

Front and center is the Pacers jersey wordmark from 1987 surrounded by the famous yellow color blocking. More details on the lining and the side paneling pay tribute to the team’s legacy, such as the three ABA championships in the early ’70s and its 2000 Eastern Conference Championship. The shorts include the team’s current logo remixed with the classic look from 1971.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

The Los Angeles Clippers are paying tribute to all three stops on their franchise’s three-city history. First their time in Buffalo as the Braves from 1970-78 is acknowledged both with the baby blue uniform base as well as with the Braves logo on the waistband of the shorts. The Braves moved to San Diego in 1978 and were renamed the Clippers where they used a number font style similar to what we see here (in reality this is more like the late ’90s Sixers), like the Braves the San Diego Clippers also wore a baby blue jersey and used a primary logo that’s referenced on the shorts. San Diego’s famous nautical-flag short pattern is included as the jock tag.

Finally, the club moved to Los Angeles in 1984 where they donned this “Clippers” scripted wordmark across their chest from 1987 all the way up to 2015 (not 2016, as Nike says).

The Nike story…

The uniform has a Pacific blue base color that was inspired by the team’s past incarnations as the Buffalo Braves and the San Diego Clippers. The jersey numbers and taping on the neck, arms and shorts are a tribute to the 1984 uniform design, marking the team’s first season in Los Angeles. The memorable Clippers script wordmark is from the 2015-16 season, linked to its high-flying roster. The uniform’s shorts feature the three white sails that were part of the original Clippers logo design, and part of the team’s first Nike NBA City Edition uniform in 2017-18.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

The Los Angeles Lakers are going with a purple (or “Forum Blue” as it originally was called) for the base with baby blue trim around the neck, sleeves, and throughout the shorts — Baby blue was the colour worn by the team when they played in Minneapolis in the 1950s and for their first handful of seasons in Los Angeles. On the jersey we see the slightly tilted “Lakers” wordmark they used up through 1986 with the drop shadow number used until 1999. On either side of the number is a white star, similar to what the team wore during the 1958-59 and 1959-60 seasons.

Nike:

While the shorts incorporate the baby blue from the original championship team in Minneapolis, the primary head-to-toe color is the Lakers purple that emerged in the late ’60s. The belt buckle includes the “L” logo from the three-peat era of the 2000s.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

The Memphis Grizzlies sadly didn’t go with teal as their base colour, instead choosing to focus on the Memphis portion of their history. The team’s arched, split-lettered “MEMPHIS” wordmark worn from 2004 to 2018 is across the chest, as is the split-lettered number style used since their 2018 uniform update. Around the sleeves and collar is the team’s “MEM” design, used since 2018 on their Statement Edition uniform which, in itself, was a nod to the original markings seen on the expansion Vancouver uniforms in 1995. Vancouver does get in there via the shorts with a re-coloured version of the logo they wore on the left leg of their shorts from 1995 to 2000.

Nike:

The uniform brings in details from throughout the team’s far-reaching background, from British Columbia to Tennessee. The uniform’s main colors are the midnight blue and yellow that have represented the Grizzlies style since 2004. A stylized “Mem” wordmark from 2018 patterns through the neck, arms and shorts in a design similar to both the original Vancouver uniform and the current Statement Edition uniforms. The waistband has the “claw ball” logo drawing from the original design from Vancouver and those early Memphis years. The shorts have the iconic bear logo from 2002 updated with the current blue colorway.

MIAMI HEAT

The Miami Heat went all-in on the mashup theme with this kidnapper’s ransom note style design incorporing lettering from several Miami Heat uniforms over the years for the team’s wordmark, player numbers, and on the shorts (note the multi-coloured Heat logo on the shorts as well). Miami might win the award for most obscure, random element here with the gold trim around the jersey and shorts being a nod to the security rope used after their 2013 NBA Championship.

Go Go Nike description:

This is a mash-up in the truest sense of the word, comprised of a collage of letters and numbers from the franchise’s most iconic jerseys. The black base is a neutral foundation for the letters pulled from uniform sets like the technicolor Vice Nights jersey, the Miami Floridians jersey and others. Just above the jock tag appears “15 Strong,” referring to the team’s 2006 championship run. Rounding out the uniform is a thin golden stripe that symbolizes the security ropes brought out by arena staff seconds before the thrilling Game 6 shot in 2014.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

The NBA Champs with a winner here, the wordmark across the chest is a re-coloured (and tightened up) version of their championship wordmark from 1971, paired with their 2021 championship player number font. Up the sides of the uniform we see the Cream City Rainbow, worn originally from 1977 to 1993 and reincarnated from 2015 to present above a purple stripe representing the club’s purple years from 1993 to 2006. On the waistband of the shorts is the logo worn on the shorts of their 1971 set, the rainbow striping from the side of the jersey continues on, and the purple/green alternate logo from 1993 to 2006 added to either side.

Nikechu, I choose you!

The uniform features green and Lake Michigan blue from the team’s current uniform sets, side panel blocking from 2001, the neckline from the 2010s, and the number set worn by the team during its second championship in 2021. A remixed waistband logo from 1971 is a callback to skyhooks and triple-double averages.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

The Timberwolves are going back to their original 1989-96 colour scheme of royal blue and green with the “Wolves” half of their 1996-2008 “Timberwolves” jersey wordmark across the chest. Around the collar, sleeves, and shorts are a series of green evergreen trees, similar to what the club wore as trim frmo 1996 to 2008. Up the side of the jersey and shorts are the wolf hair patterns used on the first ever City Edition uniform the T-Wolves wore from the 2017-18 season.

Nike rock is in the houuuuse tonight…

The blue, green and white color palette of the uniform returns from the team’s inaugural 1989 season. The wolf logo reflects the origins of the team, while the wordmark and forest images are inspired by the MVP-era early 2000s. Each side of the short is equipped with guard hair patterns to capture the essence of the wolf as well as resurface themes from the inaugural 2017-18 Nike NBA City Edition uniform.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

The New Orleans Pelicans are not looking back to any past uniform design for their 75th anniversary set, instead just the latest incarnation of their annual NOLA/Mardi Gras uniform. Across the chest is “NOLA” (New Orleans, Louisiana) in blue with gold trim, blue/gold/red trim around the collar and down the sides, and that wrought iron style typeface throughout. On the shorts are the three fleur-de-lis from the city flag as well as the Bird-de-lis secondary logo the Pelicans have been using for several seasons.

Stop… Niketime:

Inspired by the resilience of the city, the uniform combines a white base with typography reminiscent of wrought iron. It also boasts red, gold and navy stripes, as well as the signature “NOLA” emblem, iconic fleurs-de-lis on the belt buckle in Mardi Gras gold, and an anthem that defines the team and its city: “Won’t Bow Down.”

NEW YORK KNICKS

The New York Knicks are wearing black despite having never worn back until their City Edition set this past season. The layout of the jersey, with the large panels of black on either side is reminiscent of what the club wore from 1995 through 2001, a checkerboard pattern inside these side panels reminds us of the collar trim used from 1953-62 and again on a City Edition jersey from 2018-20. On the shorts the team’s primary logo from the ’90s is featured in between the club’s retired jersey numbers placed in black in between the orange and blue striping. On the side of the shorts is the logo of Madison Square Garden, the “Most Famous Arena in the World” which the Knicks just happen to call home.

I’m too Nike for this shirt…

The black uniform features orange and blue piping and checkered side panels. A graphic treatment of the team’s world-famous arena is shown on each leg, while the belt buckle boasts the logo that defined the team in the 2000s. The shorts carry retired Knicks numbers along the waistband.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

The Oklahoma City Thunder are combining several elements of alternate, Statement, and City Edition uniforms of the past while also removing all colour whatsoever from the design (Love’s ad, aside). It’s a white and grey set with OKC stacked vertically like their 2012-16 alternate set, the “OKC” itself is from 2015-17, the striping in this area (shockwaves from a thunderclap) is from the side panels of their 2017-19 set. On the shorts we have the striping from their 2018-19 City set while the waistband gives us the deepest of cuts, the original practice logo in the days after the move from Seattle but before the Thunder had picked their name or logo.

We Will, We Will, Nike You…

Atop a white base, the uniform brings back the vertical lettering from the Thunder’s first alternate uniform, worn from 2012 to 2016. Also returning is the team’s belt buckle graphic from its first practice uniforms. Additionally, the sash detail on the shorts from the 2018-2019 Nike NBA City Edition uniform honors Oklahoma’s indigenous culture.

ORLANDO MAGIC

Alright, the Orlando Magic are going black and orange, a nod to the orange industry of Orlando and Florida. Striping around the collars and the wordmark across the chest are recoloured from the Magic expansion era uniforms. Pinstripes are laid out as they were from 2010-17 and are made up of two popular rallying cries during the team’s first few seasons, “Why not us?” and “Why not now?”.

On the shorts these pinstripes continue as the club’s original primary logo is turned on its side and shown shooting down the sides of the entire uniform leaving a trail of stars in its wake.

Nike…

The uniform includes orange and anthracite detailing to recognize the orange groves that helped build the city’s economy, while the neck and arm taping are throwbacks to the team’s original jerseys, with the side insert featuring the first Orlando Magic logo. Two questions that typified the ’90s-era teams — “Why Not Us?” and “Why Not Now?” — are printed up and down the jersey in the form of pinstripes.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

The Philadelphia 76ers called the Spectrum home for 30 seasons between 1967 and 1996 and its that long term relationship that the club has decided to celebrate for their City Edition uniform in 2021-22. Up the sides of the uniform are the red, blue, green, and blue squares from the Spectrum’s logo, this design was also present on the 76ers court for several years helping tie the identity of the arena to the basketball club. The wordmark across the front is a throwback to the uniforms worn by the Sixers from 1971-76. The double S logo from the Spectrum wordmark is on the shorts waistband and a depiction of the arena within a circle is on the side of the shorts.

Time to Nike:

The team’s 40-year relationship to its home arena is celebrated by the arena’s logos on the shorts and the belt buckle. The arena’s signature multicolor pattern runs up the sides of the jersey. The deep blue body color is a deeper version of the team’s royal blue, while the wordmark, numbers and player names are inspired by the team’s graphic identity from the late ’70s.

PHOENIX SUNS

The Phoenix Suns were inspired by their classic 2021 City Edition uniform for their 2022 City Edition set. Across the chest is their “The Valley” wordmark from the 2021 set within the desert sunrise that we originally saw back in 2021. The shorts feature the desert sunrise design that the team first used in 2021 on their City set including the throwback SUNS wordmark and shooting-sun logo that the club used on their 2021 City set.

What I’m trying to say is the Suns are just using their same City Edition uniform from last season again in 2022.

We’ll throw it to Nike anyways…

The Nike NBA City Edition design from the 2020-21 season is inspired by the Valley’s breathtaking scenery, using stark colors and pixelated, abstract lines to create the local geographic landscape. The horizontal striping across the chest uses a spectrum of color to create the hues for Arizona sunsets and sunrises. The classic Sunburst logo returns on the short, while the “PHX” acronym appears on the waistband.

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

The Portland Trail Blazers are again going with “Rip City” on their City Edition uniform but this time with a retro twist. The wordmark is presented in white with a red drop shadow, a nod to the BLAZERS jersey wordmark used from 1991 to 2002. Up the side of the jersey and continuing down the shorts is a plaid pattern sublimated within red, a tribute to the plaid suits worn by former Blazers head coach Dr. Jack Ramsay. On the waistband of the shorts is the “Portland” scripted wordmark worn on the team’s road uniforms from 1971 to 1975.

Oh Nike?

“Rip City” appears in the retro ’90s-style font with drop shadow. The belt buckle features “Portland” in the ’70s-style font from the original Blazers teams. A signature plaid pattern is a nod to a memorable feature of the city’s culture and also honors an all-time coach. A “City of Roses” anthem is a tribute to the city that supports its team.

SACRAMENTO KINGS

The Sacramento Kings are leaning heavily on their 1994-2002 set here with the layout the same as what the team wore during this period. Across the front of the jersey now is “Sactown” scripted to pay tribute to the early Cincinnati Royals and Kansas City Kings teams of the 1970s The shorts feature the same template as the 90s set but now with the current 2021-22 secondary lion logo on the side and the original Rochester Royals logo on the waistband.

And Nike says…

An asymmetrical stripe over the black base is an ode to the “Greatest Show on Court” teams of the early 2000s. The script wordmark is a staple of the team’s design, as it’s been part of the team’s history from Kansas City to its permanent home in Sacramento. The waistband features a remixed version of the Rochester Royals logo set in purple and black.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Fiesta! The San Antonio Spurs finally really embrace the teal, pink, and orange colours of their fiesta years of the 1990s, at the time the colours were only seen on the court courtesy they club’s warmup jackets and on the team’s logo. The Spurs wordmark across the chest is the same as has been used since 2017. On the shorts we see the diamond cutouts at the bottom, as the club wore from 1982 to 1989, a spur logo is on one leg, and the original Dallas Chaparrals ABA logo (yes, the Spurs originally played in Dallas!) is on the other.

Nike:

Lining the entire uniform are the franchise’s fiesta stripes, which first appeared on the team’s warm-up jerseys in the mid ’90s. Classic silver and black stripes appear above the jock tag. The shorts feature the boot-spur logo and the angular design of the jerseys worn by the team in the late ’70s and early ’80s, while also bringing back the roadrunner logo of the Dallas Chaparrals, the franchise’s original ABA name.

TORONTO RAPTORS

Imagine if Drake was famous in the ’90s… basically this is what the Raptors would’ve worn instead of purple. Toronto is throwing back to a design based off their original 1995-99 uniform design with giant raptor on the chest, pinstripes. Differences here include a switch from the “Raptors” wordmark to “Toronto”, the raptor itself is now facing the other way, and has been given one of the team’s chevron “North” uniforms with the number 19 in honour of the team’s 2019 championship. Shorts are black with the same pinstripes, maple leaf on the waist because Canada, modern day logo on the right leg, scrawled “TR” on the left within the same side striping as the original 1995 uniforms.

Take it to the Nike…

The popular black base and gold trim return, with the iconic dino logo, scrawled across the chest, donning the look from the 2019 title-winners and flipping the Raptor’s direction from the Nike NBA Hardwood Classic uniform. The jagged pinstriping and short design echo the team’s inaugural uniforms from a quarter-century ago. Today’s claw-scratch logo appears on the shorts, with a Canadian maple leaf on the waistband reminding fans of the team’s roots.

UTAH JAZZ

Much like those kids down in Arizona, the Utah Jazz are not making any changes to their City Edition uniform in 2021-22. This one’s not so much of a surprise, the Jazz love their red rock uniforms as they wore their original City Edition “Red Rock” set for three straight seasons from 2017-20 before finally switching to what you see above last year. Still, I’m imagining a 1990s themed set similar to what Houston did… oh what could’ve been.

From the folks at Nike:

The Utah Jazz Nike NBA City Edition design from the 2021-21 season is the evolution of the gradient red-rock theme of the team’s original City uniform. The predominantly black uniform features simplified color bands strikingly positioned on the top half of the jersey and the left leg of the shorts. The asymmetry of the color bands on the shorts are an homage to the late ’90s uniform, which featured a mountain range on the left leg. The Jazz/state logo — representing how the Jazz belong to all of Utah — is featured on the right leg of the shorts. The Delicate Arch graphic appears on the waistband.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Alright, last one. The Washington Wizards are going with the blue-base stripey set from the 1970s and ’80s, the “Washington” wordmark across the chest is the same as has been used by the team since 2011, itself meant to resemble the original Washington Bullets uniform lettering. Player numbers are those that the Wizards originally wore after the name change in 1997 up through 2011. Shorts have thick stripes down the side, Nike says this is a throwback to the late 1960s Baltimore Bullets shorts, two different “dc” themed alternate logos are on the pant legs, and a tribute to the late Wes Unseld is incorporated into the lower left of the jersey.

Nike, take us home:

The red stripes on the blue base are a tribute to the classic Bullets uniforms from the ’60s and ’70s, especially from center Wes Unseld’s exceptional ’68 season, when he won both league MVP and Rookie of the Year honors. Below the red belt, the shorts feature a wide red panel on each side, a detail also brought back from the late ’60s. The “Washington” wordmark across the chest is a remixed take on the jerseys that highlighted the team’s inspiring playoff run during the 2016-17 season.

And that’s it! Eight hours it took me to put this recap together, next year Nike, NBA, if you could throw me something in advance please and thank you I would appreciate it mightily.