Always at the forefront of technology and new ideas, the NBA is at it again. In addition to unveiling jersey patches for the 2017-18 season, the new partnership with Nike to create NBA team uniforms moving forward has come with another first, no more designated home and road uniforms.
NBA & @Nike introduce four core uniforms for each team, classified as “editions" https://t.co/bfdk65eCig pic.twitter.com/S0riMQN8QV
— NBA (@NBA) July 18, 2017
Nike is creating four “editions” of every NBA team’s uniform that an NBA team will alternate between during the season. Home teams will now have the ability to choose whichever of the four uniform options they would like prior to each home game and the road team will then select a contrasting color based on the home team’s uniform selection.
Here is a portion of the Nike press release on Tuesday that explains the thought process and inspiration for each of the four editions of the NBA team uniform:
“Nike and the NBA worked together to create four primary uniforms for each team, classified as “editions,” which draw from the rich heritage of the NBA and its respective franchises.
The first two editions of the NBA uniforms, which will be introduced by teams this summer and will make their on-court debut at the start of the season, are the Association and Icon editions. The two remaining core uniforms, inspired by the mindset of the NBA athlete and the communities that support their teams through thick and thin, respectively, will be revealed in the coming months.
The Association Edition, the traditional home white uniform that all 30 teams will have in their assortment, links them as members of the most exclusive basketball club in the world. It represents an achievement that most athletes have worked their entire lives to reach.
The Icon Edition, previously known as the road uniform, represents the rich heritage and iconic identity that exists within each franchise. This edition utilizes the team’s primary color, a color that dominates the closets of the most diehard fans.
Also this season, eight NBA teams will have a Classic Edition uniform that will be available in the fall. The Classic Edition celebrates some of the most iconic uniforms in league history and can be worn at each team’s discretion.”
For a jersey connoisseur like myself and a huge fan of the NBA jerseys of the 1990s, the most interesting piece of this press release is the portion explaining that only eight teams will have a “classic edition” uniform that they will be able to wear at will during the season.
This means I probably won’t be seeing much of my beloved 90s pinstripes this season, but we will be seeing a lot of variation and creativity in uniform choices on the court which is Nike’s calling card and something I personally am on board with, pretty cool that these uniforms are made from recyclable materials as well.
