In its season-long quest to make (and sell) as many jerseys as it can after becoming the official NBA outfitter, Nike released the “City Edition” versions of each team’s uniforms on Wednesday. This addition to the uni rotation is the fourth, adding to the Association, Icon, and Statement jerseys.
The gist is that they represent aspects of the team’s locale, architecture, history, or anything else that sounds inspirational and is a cloaked way to say, “Buy these jerseys.”
The collection has some huge hits and a few misses. Here are some of the best (and worst), with commentary from our own NBA Slack, where this was a lively topic of conversation:
Three Shades of Gray
Minnesota
Wolves officially unveil The City uniforms pic.twitter.com/h5OBTRURiD
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) December 27, 2017
I get it. The icy north. It’s not that exciting, but then again, the Minnesota cold isn’t that thrilling either. Given the neon-green bravado of the Wolves’ Statement jerseys, this feels just about right.
Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers new Nike "City Edition" jerseys pic.twitter.com/YRx6RGbbLE
— Traffic Light Sports (@AshOhioSports03) December 27, 2017
Here’s where gray falls flat. The Cavs’ jerseys are already going to disappoint merely for having “The Land” on them, but this weird combination of muted gray with off-brand Pacers yellow is rough. But hey, apparently LeBron had a hand in the design. It’s a good thing Nike is making a new set of these each year, in case, well, you know.
Ringer Slack opinion (via Rodger Sherman): “the Cavs’ jersey is supposed to resemble this statue”
We can leave it at that.
Boston
@celtics unveil 'City Edition' jersey #Celtics #NBA #Nikexnba pic.twitter.com/8dFTKh3WgX
— Forward Mile NBA (@ForwardMileNBA) December 27, 2017
I’m not sure the gray works here, either, but Boston gets points for incorporating the parquet-floor design into the fabric.
Keep It (Too) Simple
Brooklyn
Nets City Edition | For Brooklyn#WeGoHard #NikeXNBA pic.twitter.com/MltfHwakBt
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 27, 2017
So very Nets. So very Brooklyn.
Detroit
Here is the new #Pistons Motor City jersey. pic.twitter.com/Th5ZdRR2L5
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) December 27, 2017
Given that the Pistons’ main colors are brighter, there was more to play with here, but this is just fine.
Ringer Slack take (via Pistons fan Shaker Samman): “The Motor City ones are baaaaad.”
Memphis
The @memgrizz just released their MLK50 City Edition jersey, inspired by the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike. pic.twitter.com/3NFoz47330
— SB Nation NBA (@SBNationNBA) December 22, 2017
To say nothing of whether or not the inspiration works, I find myself respecting the commitment to this all-white look. It’s a nice complement to the Grizzlies’ powder blue.
Philadelphia
FIRST LOOK: @sixers unveil “city” edition uniforms. pic.twitter.com/0PChP4YqM5
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 27, 2017
I like so much about the rest of this jersey that I am willing to put aside the fact that they couldn’t quite commit to the bit of having a cursive font.
Ringer Slack take (via art director David Shoemaker): “That Sixers font continues to be trash.”
Washington, D.C.
Welcome to The District. Introducing the City Edition. #NIKExNBA #DCFamily pic.twitter.com/iISr77ZM04
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 27, 2017
Very dramatic video, very underwhelming jersey. Bring back the Stars & Stripes.
Ringer Slack take (via Wizards fan Donnie Kwak): “At least they’ll hit the sale rack quickly.”
[Insert Clapping Emoji Here]
Charlotte
PHOTOS: A detailed look at the Hornets fifth and final uniform for the 2017-18 season, the City Edition #BuzzCity Uniforms.
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 27, 2017
https://t.co/V1corL4uMl#NIKExNBA | #WeAreJordan pic.twitter.com/IQAGGKaCQx
Sure, the Hornets have two vibrant colors to work with, but it’s almost like they know how to do this better than anyone.
Milwaukee
I love everything about these.
FIRST LOOK: Bucks' new alternate uniform. Ad patch, although not shown in photo on right, will be worn on court. pic.twitter.com/GUSs5CQUeh
— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) December 27, 2017
Miami
Miami Heat "City Edition" jerseys are pretty fire pic.twitter.com/UzyUQ2lHES
— HEAT NATION (@HeatvsHaters) December 27, 2017
The Miami Vice inspiration, the colors, the font — it’s all perfectly Miami, the version of Miami we see in the movies.
Ringer Slack take (via Sherman): “the as-of-yet unofficial Miami jerseys are all-time greats”
Golden State
@warriors unveil 'City Edition' jersey #Warriors #DubNation #NBA #Nikexnba pic.twitter.com/Gm7NrXSZIY
— Forward Mile NBA (@ForwardMileNBA) December 27, 2017
There’s a lot going on here, but the attention to detail alone is enough to warrant a high ranking. The inspiration is actually logical. Of course, the Warriors were also going to have one of the best jerseys.
Ringer Slack opinion (via Kings fan Riley McAtee): “it really hurts me a little bit how good Golden State’s jerseys are.”
Weird Inspiration
Orlando
Magic's new alternate jersey. Although not shown in this photo, ad patch will be included for game use. pic.twitter.com/itVW6qnDVf
— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) December 27, 2017
The Magic must have logged on to Google Earth, took a screenshot, and then put it on a jersey. The inspiration description is even better: “The edges of light bordering our universe reveal a vastness greater than our imagination.” That’s how a Ken Burns doc on space would start, with Morgan Freeman narrating.
Ringer Slack take (via designer Matt James): “It’s about everyone in Orlando looking up at the stars dreaming of getting out of Orlando”
Los Angeles Lakers
Check Out All of The NIKE City Edition NBA Jerseys Including One Inspired By Kobe (Photos) https://t.co/EccjhddlY8 pic.twitter.com/g0pPVcRIil
— Robert Littal (@BSO) December 27, 2017
Snakeskin, black, gold, Kobe-inspired. These look cool, but at some point, you gotta really say goodbye to Kobe, right? Right?
Ringer Slack take (via senior editor Justin Verrier): “Kobe is now the Stuff the Magic Dragon of the Lakers.”
Oklahoma City
The Thunder have officially released their Nike “City” uniforms. pic.twitter.com/muvGlWk7PY
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 24, 2017
These are supposed to represent the team, which is “fast, bold and dynamic,” while also displaying a sunset of sorts and “the forces of nature that exist both on and off the court.” Is this actually a subtweet to Russell Westbrook?
Ringer Slack take (via Kevin O’Connor): “I can’t get over how much the OKC jersey looks like Ziggy Stardust”
Sacramento
The City Edition: From the Court Up ⬇️⬆️ pic.twitter.com/v0OODjfyBK
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) December 27, 2017
I will never be upset with the use of powder blues for any uniform, so I’m biased here, but as Riley McAtee points out, there’s no connection or relation to the city of Sacramento. They should have asked Greta Gerwig for inspiration.
Dallas
Here is the official look at Dallas’ Nike City Edition jersey. pic.twitter.com/G5KkWyFwMz
— Bryan Gutierrez (@BallinWithBryan) December 27, 2017
These are supposed to represent the downtown Dallas skyline, while not actually showing any part of the Dallas skyline. Great job, everybody.
There’s a Lot Going on Here
Portland
Imagem oficial da "City" jersey do Trail Blazers. pic.twitter.com/UB6CV0JLqx
— Rip City Brasil (@BlazersBrasil) December 27, 2017
Black plaid with bright red. It’s very hipster, which is fitting, but also honors the late Blazers head coach Dr. Jack Ramsay for his unique style.
San Antonio
Nike’s #CityEdition jersey for the Spurs chooses to double down on cameo print rather than Fiesta pic.twitter.com/UQJS4kDqWh
— SportsGrind (@SportsGrind) December 27, 2017
These look like a mess, and the Spurs had so much historical, sartorial greatness to work with, so these are ultimately disappointing.
Indiana
@Pacers unveil 'City Edition' jersey #Pacers #NBA
— Forward Mile NBA (@ForwardMileNBA) December 27, 2017
pic.twitter.com/H9M2mHJ1Tc
A race car design, a two-sided front, a number inside a circle. The Pacers tried to do a little too much.
New York
Which NYC specific theme do fans wish the Knicks incorporated on their new city edition jerseys, if you don’t like what they did? pic.twitter.com/EpEpcp4V0r
— Knicks Film School (@KnickFilmSchool) December 27, 2017
From this picture (and if these are official), it looks like the orange on the sides is different from the orange surrounding the logo. I love the neck outline, but one shade of orange would have been enough.
Ringer Slack take (via Knicks fan Danny Heifetz): “Even though this feels 80 percent of the way there, that’s more than I ever hope to get from the Knicks”
There’s Not Enough Going on Here
Denver
Nuggets Nike City Edition jersey pic.twitter.com/ZsUtuGaX2W
— Keiran Flanigan (@aeliox) December 27, 2017
I will keep saying this until it’s done: Bring back the powder blues.
Toronto
The @Raptors "City" jersey keeping with the #NorthOverEverything aesthetic.#RTZ #WeTheNorth#NikexNBA pic.twitter.com/Ov6sP67LoP
— Anthony E. Stark ☰ (@anthoro) December 27, 2017
We get it, you’re in the North. How about using some of the vintage colors and pinstripes from the Raptors’ old jerseys? Technically, dinosaurs are part of the team’s history.
Houston
Here's the new CITY jersey, per @darrenrovell pic.twitter.com/K1tVZ9jriK
— The Dream Shake (@DreamShakeSBN) December 27, 2017
The Chinese letters on the front of the jersey are a cool touch, but they basically took the red home jerseys and simply added that without alternating the color, or even going back to their retro kits. I know the the Rockets color scheme has been simplified to a red and white combination, but it feels like there was the potential for something with a little more spice.
Atlanta
#TrueToAtlanta unveil their City edition jersey #NikexNBA
— Davide Chinellato (@dchinellato) December 15, 2017
Atlanta svela la sua nuova maglia “City Edition”#NBA pic.twitter.com/wl16WpSQDF
That this is one of the less-wild designs by the Hawks since their new branding says a lot. The font screams “Give me a Tron sequel” while the tire marks (?) suggest a literal different direction. And yet, these will probably look cool on the court.
The Ones That Look Like Other Teams’ Jerseys
Phoenix
Nike Released the Suns "City" Jersey LINK: https://t.co/9MSxLyQ6KY pic.twitter.com/G1McNnMjTC
— AZ Finest Mixtape (@AzFinestMixtape) December 27, 2017
Speaking of purple, I’m all for using more of this color, and I’m certainly for honoring Hispanic heritage in Arizona with “Los Suns,” but these give me a slight Lakers look I cannot shake. Use the orange!
New Orleans
Jersey ''city'' do Pelicans. pic.twitter.com/UxHootBeSh
— Demarcus Cousins BR (@CousinsBoogieBR) December 27, 2017
The Pelicans’ purple lies somewhere between too much and maybe just enough, which sums up many of the franchise’s moves of the last few years. The only issue: Anthony Davis wearing Lakers colors might make Pelicans fans sick.
Los Angeles Clippers
this.... this is just a Thunder jersey pic.twitter.com/aEwHUiw5JP
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger_sherman) December 27, 2017
Utah
Utah Jazz Nike NBA City Edition jersey pic.twitter.com/OyBiAefTkf
— SoleCollector.com (@SoleCollector) December 27, 2017
I get the inspiration, but these look just like the sunrise jerseys for the Houston Astros and are more appropriate for Phoenix. I respect the boldness, though.
Chicago
Introducing the City Edition jersey, inspired by our hometown. The #Bulls will wear these for the first time at home against the Lakers on January 26. pic.twitter.com/2QGKdGGkdM
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 27, 2017
These jerseys are excellent, and while they harken back to Michael Jordan’s early years, they also emanate Clippers vibes.