Christmas is just around the corner
What better way to introduce some new and exciting jerseys than rolling them out right before Christmas. Let’s take a look at the new Nike Earned Jersey set and which make Santa’s Naughty or Nice list.
#1: New Orleans Pelicans
This jersey is great. It has everything you could want. From the color blocking, color choice and simple design it is simply beautiful. Not to mention the thick stripes are not something that is regularly seen on a traditional basketball jersey. This earns a definitive top ranking spot on the list. Grade: Excellent, the top of Santa’s Nice list.
#2: Miami Heat
If you’re a fan of flashiness then this jersey is for you. With a sleek look and a Miami Vice-esque style, this jersey has a great in-your-face style. Not only that, but pulling off a hot pink as a base color is pretty incredible. This jersey gives us an excellent dose of the traditional Miami style. Grade: About as Nice as you could imagine.
#3: Milwaukee Bucks
It’s as if Nike is making up for the release of the Bucks throwback jersey with this. This jersey is great for many of the same reasons the Pelicans jersey is. A simple design, beautiful colors, and a style that is not seen elsewhere. It provides a great look and is very easy on the eyes, as opposed to the throwback. Grade: More Nice than finding twenty dollars in your pocket.
#4: Minnesota Timberwolves
This jersey does a great job of encapsulating what Minnesota is known for. Being cold and Prince. The mind associates that base white with the freezing temperatures of Minnesota. As for the font choice and beautiful purple, it is a great shout out to the late Prince. The jersey does virtually everything right. Grade: Some of the highest marks on Santa’s Nice list.
#5: Cleveland Cavaliers
This jersey is certainly a standout. It is a very interesting take on an otherwise standard Cavaliers colorway. It seems to be a shout out to the 1997 Cavaliers’ jerseys, but with a much cleaner and refreshing look. Again, deviating from the traditional Cavaliers style is a welcome sight for fans. Grade: Nice, these will be in a premier spot under the tree.
#6: Indiana Pacers
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. While this jersey is very similar to the City edition it still looks great. The point of this jersey was to give a nod to Indiana’s love for racing. Simply, the jersey accomplishes the goal. It is another refreshing change to an otherwise monotonous collection of Pacers’ jerseys. Grade: Nice, a stand out in Santa’s sleigh.
#7: Washington Wizards
Washington got a solid jersey with some interesting style choices, but much like their team, there just isn’t a lot to separate it from the competition. The best part of this jersey is the marble siding. That was such an excellent idea, but is brought down by some other tacky design choices. Grade: Just Nice enough.
#8: Golden State Warriors
Finally, something the Warriors have that is average. There really isn’t a lot to say about this jersey other than it is a downgrade in comparison to other great jerseys the Warriors have. It’s not exceptional but it is also not all that bad. It simply falls in the middle of the pack. Grade: Nice enough. Not too nice, not too naughty.
#9: San Antonio
Remember the Alamo? Well, you won’t remember this jersey. The camouflage doesn’t translate well to a jersey, not to mention that this is done on an unappealing white base. Hopefully in the next edition of Spurs jersey’s we will see something closer to their old school product with bright beautiful colors. Grade: Naughty, not enough redeemable qualities to make it on the nice list.
#10: Toronto Raptors
This jersey is simply too basic. The Raptors are interesting in that they have a great brand, as well as a great mascot. There are so many different ways to show that off. Instead, we get an arrow with crooked letters in it. The only real difference between this jersey and the “North” edition is the colorway. Grade: Naughty. That’s it.
#11: Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz have a solid brand. This jersey doesn’t do that justice. It is almost a complete copy of some of the old 80’s jerseys. A huge shift from their branding shouldn’t have been expected, but what should be expected is more than this. Grade: Naughty, maybe next year.
#12: Boston Celtics
Much like the Utah jersey there just doesn’t seem to be any innovation in this jersey. It looks bland and ordinary. The storied franchise deserves more than what they get from this jersey. Grade: Naughty, this is naughtier than the Boston Tea Party.
#13: Philadelphia 76ers
More is needed here. Philly has a rabid fan base, a lot of culture and are finally starting to turn this team around. This jersey doesn’t seem to cover any of that like it should or could. Grade: Naughty, this is naughtier than Philly fans pelting Santa with snowballs.
#14: Portland Trailblazers
Boring. Aside from the nod to Blazermania, there is not much going for this jersey. Portland is another city rich in culture and has some amazing influence. Sadly that was not shown on this jersey either. There is really nothing that gives any flavor or essence to this jersey. Grade: Very Naughty, won’t be touched with a ten-foot pole.
#15: Oklahoma City Thunder
This is a worst-case scenario version of the Miami jersey. Sure it pops with that bright orange, but aside from that, there aren’t any redeeming qualities. It is simply dull and uninspired. When the standout feature of the jersey is that the letters are staggered there is a serious problem. Grade: Very Naughty, it could be used as a gag White Elephant gift.
#16: Houston Rockets
This really is a disappointing jersey. It is nearly the same as their traditional Home jersey, just swapping the gray color for a dark red. With the Rockets there are many angles that Nike could’ve used to approach this jersey with., but sadly they couldn’t capitalize on it. Maybe their next jersey will produce a more interesting look. Grade: Very Naughty, you’d rather find coal.
Disclaimer: This is only my opinion. If we have a completely different taste in jersey’s, no worries. They’re just some clothes.
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