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Ranking the top jerseys in NBA historyon December 14, 2021 at 1:28 pm

Editor’s note: This story was originally published on May 5, 2020.

“You’re actually rooting for the clothes, when you get right down to it.”

This famous line from “Seinfeld” might have been intended to mock sports fandom, but when it comes to uniform appreciation, it’s actually appropriate. In this case, we are rooting for the clothes — the best clothes in NBA history, according to ESPN’s NBA experts.

Wednesday, Dec. 15
Lakers at Mavericks, 7:30 p.m.
Clippers at Jazz, 10 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 17
Warriors at Celtics, 7:30 p.m.
Lakers at T-Wolves, 10 p.m.

All times Eastern

For the purposes of this exercise, we considered a team’s jersey set (home, road, alternate) a single entity, unless the styles differed in ways more significant than a color swap, something that has happened more frequently in this era of jersey “editions,” some of which are worn only a handful of times each year.

When it comes to jerseys, most people have different tastes, and our panel was no different. But there was near-consensus on the three jerseys that emerged at the top of the list.

MORE: The Bottom 10 jerseys in NBA history

ESPN.com Illustration

74. Memphis Grizzlies (Grind City Blue)

Seasons worn: 2004-19

Notable players in this look: Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Tony Allen, Zach Randolph

The Grizzlies dumped the black from their early Memphis years and settled on a set of blue tones that became synonymous with Grit ‘N’ Grind. — Adam Reisinger

73. Cincinnati Royals (White with stripes)

Seasons worn: 1967-70

Notable players in this look: Oscar Robertson, Jerry Lucas, Tom Van Arsdale

Vertical text doesn’t always work on NBA jerseys, but the Royals made it look good with an iconic red, white and blue color scheme. — Reisinger

72. Philadelphia 76ers (Red ‘SIXERS’)

Seasons worn: 1994-97

Notable players in this look: Allen Iverson, Jerry Stackhouse, Clarence Weatherspoon, Derrick Coleman

Dana Barros wore this No. 3 jersey in 1994-95. Allen Iverson wore the same jersey two years later as a rookie. One of them made it more memorable. — Dave McMenamin

71. Orlando Magic (Sublimated stars)

Seasons worn: 2001-03

Notable players in this look: Tracy McGrady, Mike Miller, Darrell Armstrong, Patrick Ewing

Stars on jerseys have never been as cool as when Tracy McGrady was dropping buckets all over the league in these. — Nick Friedell

70. Seattle SuperSonics (Space Needle)

Seasons worn: 1995-99

Notable players in this look: Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Detlef Schrempf, Hersey Hawkins

It’s not the classic Seattle look, but this Space Needle-inspired design is what most people remember when thinking about the Shawn Kemp- and Gary Payton-era Sonics. — Andrew Lopez

69. Brooklyn Nets (Black and white)

Seasons worn: 2012-present

Notable players in this look: Deron Williams, Brook Lopez, Kevin Garnett, Kyrie Irving

Ditching hues for a clean black and white look was bold. Then-part-owner Jay-Z debuting the jerseys himself in the first-ever Barclays concert became the perfect Brooklyn launch. — Nick DePaula

68. Washington Wizards (Stars and Stripes)

Seasons worn: 2016-17

Notable players in this look: John Wall, Bradley Beal, Otto Porter, Markieff Morris

During the 2016-17 season, the Washington Wizards unveiled a “Stars and Stripes” alternate in honor of military servicemen and women. The Wiz broke out the uniform for every home game during their 2017 playoff run. — Aaron Dodson

67. Denver Nuggets (Blue Dazzle)

Seasons worn: 2003-08

Notable players in this look: Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin, Marcus Camby

This is one of those jerseys that just screams 2000s. The dazzle cloth version stands out above the set that just followed it. — Lopez

66. Buffalo Braves (Baby blue)

Seasons worn: 1973-77

Notable players in this look: Bob McAdoo, Randy Smith, Adrian Dantley, Gar Heard

Simple and smooth — that blue stood out even in a city known for its perpetually snowy and gray demeanor. — Friedell

65. Phoenix Suns (Western blue)

Seasons worn: 1973-92

Notable players in this look: Alvan Adams, Walter Davis, Kevin Johnson, Tom Chambers

The Suns tweaked their original jerseys by adding a “Western” font, and the look was so good it lasted nearly two decades. — Reisinger

64. Milwaukee Bucks (Classic green)

Seasons worn: 1968-73

Notable players in this look: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jon McGlocklin, Bob Dandridge, Oscar Robertson

There isn’t a lot going on here, but sometimes simpler is better, especially when your franchise won its only title in this look. — Reisinger

63. Kansas City Kings (Blue/white script)

Seasons worn: 1972-75

Notable players in this look: Nate Archibald, Sam Lacey, Jimmy Walker, Nate Williams

The swooping underline and subtle crown accent atop the script “Kings” font can still be seen throughout the franchise’s identity, even well after the franchise moved to Sacramento. — DePaula

62. Philadelphia Warriors (Original blue)

Seasons worn: 1946-62

Notable players in this look: Wilt Chamberlain, Paul Arizin, Neil Johnston, Tom Gola

The Warriors landed five different spots on our list, this one for the jerseys in which Wilt Chamberlain began his Hall of Fame career. — Reisinger

61. Dallas Mavericks (Modern navy)

Seasons worn: 2001-09

Notable players in this look: Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Jason Terry, Michael Finley

Mark Cuban’s first goal upon buying the Mavs was modernizing the franchise. Their sleekened and colorblocked navy new look has carried the team ever since. — DePaula

60. Philadelphia 76ers (Two-tone PHILA)

Seasons worn: 1965-66

Notable players in this look: Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham, Chet Walker

Two-tone doesn’t always work. This is one of those times where it does with the classic “PHILA” across the chest. — Lopez

59. Detroit Pistons (Lightning bolt)

Seasons worn: 1978-81

Notable players in this look: Bob Lanier, John Long, Terry Tyler, Kent Benson

The lightning bolt that extends from the side of the jersey down to the shorts is an incredible design element that makes this a memorable look. — Reisinger

58. L.A. Clippers (Royal blue)

Seasons worn: 1984-87

Notable players in this look: Bill Walton, Michael Cage, Marques Johnson, Derek Smith

In 1984, the Clippers moved from San Diego to Los Angeles and changed their colors from light blue/orange to royal blue/red. New team uniforms delivered a new “CLIPPERS” font, marked by a Pacman-esque “C.” — Dodson

57. Philadelphia 76ers (Classic red)

Seasons worn: 1978-91

Notable players in this look: Charles Barkley, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Mo Cheeks

This is the longest-lasting jersey in 76ers history, and with good reason. Simple, understated, classic, in bold, beautiful colors that helped raise a banner. — Reisinger

56. Atlanta Hawks (Neon stripe)

Seasons worn: 1970-72

Notable players in this look: Pete Maravich, Walt Bellamy, Lou Hudson, Walt Hazzard

Pistol Pete flipping crosscourt and behind-the-back passes in these jerseys makes them a classic look worth remembering. — Friedell

55. Milwaukee Bucks (Statement edition)

Seasons worn: 2017-19

Notable players in this look: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe, Brook Lopez

Big logos replacing a team name or city wordmark is a recipe for disaster, but the Bucks pulled it off. Extra credit for the numbers in between the antlers. — McMenamin

54. Dallas Mavericks (Classic green)

Seasons worn: 1981-92

Notable players in this look: Rolando Blackman, Derek Harper, Mark Aguirre, Brad Davis

Why this look and not the blue of Dirk’s rookie year? Two words: Curly L’s. The unique font over the green background makes this stand out. — Reisinger

53. Utah Jazz (Red Rocks)

Seasons worn: 2017-present

Notable players in this look: Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Joe Ingles, Derrick Favors

All for any Utah jersey that incorporates mountains or rock formations — instead of you know, Jazz, which belongs in another city. — Lopez

52. Golden State Warriors (Blue and gold)

Seasons worn: 1989-97

Notable players in this look: Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, Latrell Sprewell

These jerseys will forever be associated with the Run TMC era. They were sleek, they were fun and the team scored a lot of points with Don Nelson calling the shots. — Friedell

51. Denver Nuggets (Navy cursive)

Seasons worn: 2008-12

Notable players in this look: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Ty Lawson, Nene

The yellow cursive. The dazzle fabric. The baby blue side panels pairing with the dark blue base. These were legit. — McMenamin

50. Buffalo Braves (Diagonal striped)

Seasons worn: 1971-73

Notable players in this look: Bob McAdoo, Randy Smith, Elmore Smith, Bob Kauffman

Every few years, the LA Clippers break out these as throwbacks. They should do it more often. No other franchise has a look quite like it, with diagonal stripes and offset text and numbers. — Reisinger

49. Brooklyn Nets (Brooklyn’s Finest)

Seasons worn: 2018-19

Notable players in this look: D’Angelo Russell, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jarrett Allen, Joe Harris

Once these threads were introduced to the game, they were a B.I.G. hit … get it? Sorry. Anyway, these Notorious B.I.G.-inspired jerseys paid homage to the famous Brooklyn rapper’s style with their “Brooklyn Camo” trim. — Lopez

48. Philadelphia 76ers (Bicentennial stars)

Seasons worn: 1976-77

Notable players in this look: Julius Erving, World B. Free, Doug Collins, George McGinnis

If any franchise could get away with having a jersey for just one year, it’s the 76ers, who wore these for the nation’s bicentennial. They were Dr. J’s first 76ers jersey, making them an instant classic. — Reisinger

47. Philadelphia 76ers (PHILA)

Seasons worn: 1966-67

Notable players in this look: Wilt Chamberlain, Chet Walker, Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham

Historically, the shortened city wordmark design is associated with Wilt Chamberlain’s dominance of the 1960s. Then Allen Iverson single-handedly launched the throwback jersey era of the 2000s, after gracing the cover of SLAM in retro “PHILA” and fro’d fashion. — DePaula

46. New York Knicks (Black accents)

Seasons worn: 1997-2012

Notable players in this look: Allan Houston, Stephon Marbury, Latrell Sprewell, Larry Johnson

Many teams have tried to incorporate black into their traditional color scheme with mixed results. This was a success. The black side panels make the thick orange piping stick out, and the white outlining “New York” works too. Bonus: Players’ uniform numbers were on their shorts. — McMenamin

45. Detroit Pistons (Teal horse)

Seasons worn: 1996-2001

Notable players in this look: Grant Hill, Jerry Stackhouse, Lindsey Hunter, Jerome Williams

Abandoning Detroit’s simple blue and red uniforms of the beloved “Bad Boys” era wasn’t well-received at the time, but the vivid teal tone and literal Piston graphic jerseys became a cult classic years later. — DePaula

44. Cleveland Cavaliers (Navy alternate)

Seasons worn: 2005-10

Notable players in this look: LeBron James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Anderson Varejao, Mo Williams

The deep navy base and dark burgundy side panels made the white “Cleveland” wordmark stand out. But it was the seemingly minuscule details — from the gold outline around the lettering to the alternating blue, wine and gold piping that accented the collar and shoulder seams — that made it special. — McMenamin

43. Atlanta Hawks (Blue and red)

Seasons worn: 1966-70

Notable players in this look: Lou Hudson, Lenny Wilkens, Zelmo Beaty, Bill Bridges

These baby blues looked great on Hawks players back in the day and when the team brought it back as a throwback look. This jersey came over from the St. Louis Hawks, and should’ve stayed around longer. — Lopez

42. Minnesota Timberwolves (‘Purple Rain’)

Seasons worn: 2018-19

Notable players in this look: Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson

Never has a team used an alternate jersey to honor a person so well. The purple combo, in honor of Prince, was a hit in the Twin Cities. — Friedell

41. Philadelphia 76ers (Modern blue/white)

Seasons worn: 2015-present

Notable players in this look: Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, JJ Redick

The minor tweaks made to this set over the ones from the previous six seasons amounted to a major upgrade, bringing back the “PHILA” wordmark, the side stars and blue as the primary road color. — Reisinger

40. Toronto Raptors (Black and purple)

Seasons worn: 1999-2003

Notable players in this look: Vince Carter, Antonio Davis, Alvin Williams, Morris Peterson

To distance themselves from the cartoonish yet classic “Barney” dinosaur jerseys, the Raptors went with a more conservative look. But it still had its flair from the two-toned purple front and black back, to the tall and skinny font to the neat silver notches on the sides. — McMenamin

39. Portland Trail Blazers (Lowercase ‘blazers’)

Seasons worn: 1985-91

Notable players in this look: Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, Jerome Kersey, Kevin Duckworth

Something about lowercase letters and Portland just seems to fit. Portland was perfectly weird with the lowercase “blazers” on the jersey, whether the lettering was vertical or horizontal. And the red on black just pops. — Lopez

38. Portland Trail Blazers (Uppercase ‘BLAZERS’)

Seasons worn: 1991-2002

Notable players in this look: Rasheed Wallace, Arvydas Sabonis, Clifford Robinson, Clyde Drexler

Associated with the “Jail Blazers” era, Rasheed Wallace & Co. carried the Blazers’ best edition of its trademark dual stripe-accented uniform, with simple red collar-accenting bands and the lack of the smaller silver stripe that was added in 2002. — DePaula

37. Utah Jazz (Purple mountains)

Seasons worn: 1995-2004

Notable players in this look: Karl Malone, John Stockton, Jeff Hornacek, Bryon Russell

Though the loud, oversized mountain graphics took some warming up to in contrast to Stockton and Malone’s old-school game, they were worn during the franchise’s only Finals appearances, and are now one of the most beloved classic looks leaguewide. — DePaula

36. Sacramento Kings (Purple alternate)

Seasons worn: 1999-2004

Notable players in this look: Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic, Vlade Divac, Mike Bibby

With a revamped roster coming out of the league’s lockout, the Kings donned vibrant purple alternates with glittering silver neckline accents that lined up well with their newfound national attention on nightly highlight shows. — DePaula

35. Golden State Warriors (The Town)

Seasons worn: 2017-18

Notable players in this look: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevin Durant

Oakland jerseys in the last days of Oracle were a dynamic combination for a team that always found a way to rise to the occasion when needed in the midst of winning a second straight title. — Friedell

34. Miami Heat (‘Back to Black’)

Seasons worn: 2012-14

Notable players in this look: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Ray Allen

The Big Three Miami Heat debuted their “Back to Black” look in 2012, when the Lakers came to South Beach. Basically, it’s the tuxedo of basketball uniforms, with black lettering and numbering, featuring white trim. — Dodson

33. Orlando Magic (Road black)

Seasons worn: 1989-94

Notable players in this look: Shaquille O’Neal, Anfernee Hardaway, Nick Anderson, Dennis Scott

No NBA team has ever looked as good in pinstripes as the Orlando Magic. The franchise rocked black pinstripes on the road for five seasons before the uniform became an alternate in 1994. — Dodson

32. Portland Trail Blazers (Championship red)

Seasons worn: 1974-77

Notable players in this look: Bill Walton, Sidney Wicks, Larry Steele, Maurice Lucas

Redheads wearing red is usually a fashion don’t, but don’t tell that to Bill Walton, who looked legendary in leading Portland to its only NBA title in 1977 while wearing these classic jerseys. — Reisinger

31. Cleveland Cavaliers (Blue CAVS)

Seasons worn: 1987-89

Notable players in this look: Mark Price, Brad Daugherty, Larry Nance, Ron Harper

For two seasons in the late 1980s, the Cleveland Cavaliers sported a royal blue road uniform with “CAVS” across the jersey’s chest. Look closely, and you’ll notice the “V” is a basketball dropping in a hoop. — Dodson

30. LA Lakers (Sunday whites)

Seasons worn: 2001-17

Notable players in this look: Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom

For decades, the Lakers were the lone franchise to not wear white at home. Not long into the “Sunday Whites” era of the 2000s, Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game created an iconic moment for the jerseys to be remembered. — DePaula

29. San Antonio Spurs (Black)

Seasons worn: 1989-present

Notable players in this look: Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili

While the team’s “Fiesta” logo may have featured festive shades of teal, pink and orange, the main on-court jerseys have always stuck to a simple black and silver design, personifying the no-frills approach that the franchise has long been known for. — DePaula

28. Miami Heat (Vintage red)

Seasons worn: 1995-99

Notable players in this look: Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, P.J. Brown, Jamal Mashburn

Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway gave these jerseys an edge. That team played hard and tried to impose its will on the opponents every night with Pat Riley leading the way. The jerseys matched the mindset he wanted to instill on South Beach: toughness. — Friedell

27. Golden State Warriors (Modern)

Seasons worn: 2010-present

Notable players in this look: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala

The Splash Brothers era will always be defined by this look. Steph and Klay knocked down jumpers, Draymond provided the defensive engine, and it didn’t hurt to throw Kevin Durant in a few years later, either. — Friedell

26. Sacramento Kings (Baby blue)

Seasons worn: 1985-90

Notable players in this look: Reggie Theus, Otis Thorpe, LaSalle Thompson, Wayman Tisdale

When the Kings relocated from Kansas City to Sacramento in 1985, the franchise switched up its swag, changing the team’s primary color from royal to baby blue as a new canvas for the scripted “Kings” font. — Dodson

25. Utah Jazz (Purple Jazz note)

Seasons worn: 1984-96

Notable players in this look: Karl Malone, John Stockton, Mark Eaton, Thurl Bailey

When the Jazz moved to Utah, they switched from purple road jerseys to green. They switched back in 1984, became a Western Conference contender, and went back to a similar look for their current jersey set. — Reisinger

24. Vancouver Grizzlies (Original)

Seasons worn: 1995-2000

Notable players in this look: Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Bryant Reeves, Greg Anthony, Mike Bibby

With inspiration coming directly from Native Canadian community members — the turquoise and brown represented the sky, heavens and local grizzly bears — the expansion franchise burst onto the scene with one of the loudest and more creatively detailed designs in league history. — DePaula

23. Houston Rockets (Red with yellow trim)

Seasons worn: 1976-95

Notable players in this look: Hakeem Olajuwon, Moses Malone, Otis Thorpe, Calvin Murphy

Never underestimate the heart of a champion, and never underrate a classic look. The Rockets won back-to-back titles in this one, but changed to a quintessentially ’90s design a year later. It was definitely a mistake. — Reisinger

22. Indiana Pacers (Flo-Jo)

Seasons worn: 1990-97

Notable players in this look: Reggie Miller, Dale Davis, Rik Smits, Detlef Schrempf

Stemming from an intern’s suggestion, 1988 Olympic gold medalist Florence Griffith Joyner was tapped to rebrand the Pacers, after earning praise for her own elaborate racing uniform designs. The vertically striped “Flo-Jo” jerseys have been considered the franchise’s best ever since. — DePaula

21. L.A. Lakers (L.A. baby blue)

Seasons worn: 1960-66

Notable players in this look: Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Rudy LaRusso, Dick Barnett

With rookie Jerry West in tow for the franchise’s move to Los Angeles, the blue and white cursive “Los Angeles” unis represented one of the last links to the Lakers’ Minnesota roots, before the switch to the team’s long-standing palette of purple and gold. — DePaula

20. Chicago Bulls (Black pinstriped)

Seasons worn: 1995-96

Notable players in this look: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Toni Kukoc

When you have an iconic regular set of jerseys, it’s hard to add something that will also stick out. But that’s just what the Bulls did with this jersey. Going with black made sense, but adding the pinstripes took it over the top. And red pinstripes at that? Brilliant. — Lopez

19. Chicago Bulls (Script Chicago)

Seasons worn: 1973-85

Notable players in this look: Michael Jordan, Artis Gilmore, Reggie Theus, Norm Van Lier

A young Michael Jordan wore this uniform for only one season, during his 1984-85 rookie year. But it’s hard to forget the most iconic image of the red jersey: His Airness taking flight in the 1985 dunk contest with two gold chains dangling over the slanted “Chicago” cursive. — Dodson

18. Atlanta Hawks (“Pac-Man” red)

Seasons worn: 1982-92

Notable players in this look: Dominique Wilkins, Doc Rivers, Kevin Willis, Spud Webb

Debuted during Dominique Wilkins’ rookie season, this uniform became a Superman suit for the Atlanta Hawks. Wilkins is the only player to have remained with Atlanta during the entire near decade the team was outfitted in these threads, with “HAWKS” on the jersey in a white mesh cutout that reflects onto the shorts. — Dodson

17. New York Knicks (Classic blue)

Seasons worn: 1968-79, 1983-97

Notable players in this look: Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe, Charles Oakley

Outside of a drastically different look in the early ’80s, this is how the Knicks took the floor for the better part of three decades. Black trim was added in the ’90s (because it was the ’90s) but this is the look that will always be associated with New York’s most successful teams. — Reisinger

16. Detroit Pistons (Bad Boys blue)

Seasons worn: 1981-96

Notable players in this look: Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman

When someone says “Detroit Pistons jerseys,” this is what comes to mind (unless you’re at Coachella, where teal horses run free). The Bad Boys won in classic red, white and blue, and the team brought a similar look back in 2001, just in time for another championship run. — Reisinger

15. Minnesota Timberwolves (Black with tree trim)

Seasons worn: 1996-2008

Notable players in this look: Kevin Garnett, Terrell Brandon, Wally Szczerbiak, Sam Mitchell

Kevin Garnett made these what they were. He made the team successful and he made these jerseys tough, especially with the green tree trim around the sides. The best moments in franchise history came when Garnett & Co. were rocking these and racking up victories. — Friedell

14. Toronto Raptors (Original Dino)

Seasons worn: 1995-99

Notable players in this look: Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Damon Stoudamire, Marcus Camby

Widely mocked at the time of their initial release, the Raptors’ Dino sets slowly became one of the more beloved jerseys in the NBA. The large dinosaur logo on the chest with the pinstripes was a bit too much at first, but it’s all love now. — Lopez

13. Philadelphia 76ers (2000s Dazzle)

Seasons worn: 2000-06

Notable players in this look: Allen Iverson, Dikembe Mutombo, Eric Snow, Aaron McKie

As if the star athlete wearing these uniforms wasn’t rare enough, the “dazzle” fabric that the Sixers wore when few teams around the team were doing it only made Allen Iverson stand out more. The fact that he had it on for Game 1 of the 2001 Finals only cemented its appeal. — McMenamin

12. Seattle SuperSonics (’80s green and white)

Seasons worn: 1978-95

Notable players in this look: Jack Sikma, Nate McMillan, Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton

This look always represented the city of Seattle well. Stylish and different just the way they like it up in the Pacific Northwest. Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp putting together alley-oops in the classic green and whites? That was fun. — Friedell

11. Phoenix Suns (’90s black)

Seasons worn: 1993-2001

Notable players in this look: Charles Barkley, Kevin Johnson, Dan Majerle, Jason Kidd

Black and orange can be a tricky color palette to paint with. Yet the Suns managed to sidestep any Halloween vibes (or Cincinnati Bengals likeness, for that matter) with their sunburst uniforms in the ’90s. Bonus: “Suns” reads just the same if you look at the uniform upside down. A neat Easter egg created by the font choice. — McMenamin

10. Washington Bullets (Red, white and blue)

Seasons worn: 1974-87

Notable players in this look: Elvin Hayes, Wes Unseld, Phil Chenier, Bob Dandridge

The red, white and blue stripes and the double-L forming hands reaching for a ball are so iconic that when the Wizards redesigned their jerseys a few years ago, they stuck as close to this design as possible (current NBA rules prevent teams from simply reusing old designs as their primary set). — Reisinger

9. New Jersey Nets (Stars and Stripes)

Seasons worn: 1972-81

Notable players in this look: Julius Erving, John Williamson, Bernard King, Billy Paultz

Julius “Dr. J” Erving might as well have been an Afro’d Uncle Sam in the 1970s, when he donned this stars-and-stripes uniform en route to two ABA championships. Founded in 1967 as the New Jersey Americans, the franchise kept its patriotic swag when it joined the NBA in 1976. — Dodson

8. Miami Heat (‘Vice’ collection)

Seasons worn: 2017-present

Notable players in this look: Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem, Goran Dragic, Jimmy Butler

Now that Miami has unveiled four “Vice” jerseys — black, pink, white and blue — let’s just say what needs to be said: These should be the permanent jersey set for the Heat moving forward. This look just oozes Miami culture. If the Heat switched, it would be the best look in the league. — Lopez

7. Charlotte Hornets (Teal pinstripes)

Seasons worn: 1989-96

Notable players in this look: Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, Muggsy Bogues, Dell Curry

With only 10 playoff appearances in the 31 years since the league expanded in 1988 to welcome the Hornets — and no postseason run past the second round — it’s not a stretch to say that this uniform is the best thing that’s ever happened to the franchise. — McMenamin

6. San Francisco Warriors (The City)

Seasons worn: 1966-71

Notable players in this look: Rick Barry, Al Attles, Nate Thurmond, Jeff Mullins

Pictures of Rick Barry and Al Attles in this jersey are a reminder of some fun up-and-down basketball in the Bay. These are so nice that the present-day Warriors still bring these back from time to time to pay homage. — Friedell

5. Denver Nuggets (Rainbow skyline)

Seasons worn: 1985-93

Notable players in this look: Alex English, Fat Lever, Michael Adams, Danny Schayes

In the 1980s, when the Denver Nuggets introduced new uniforms, they were statistically the fastest team in the NBA. High tempo defined Mile High Basketball, and the franchise even took on-court style to new heights with jerseys featuring a rainbow skyline theme. — Dodson

4. Orlando Magic (Electric blue)

Seasons worn: 1994-98

Notable players in this look: Shaquille O’Neal, Anfernee Hardaway, Horace Grant, Nick Anderson

The Magic took their first alternate jersey — the electric blue version of their original look — and made it their full-time road look in the mid-’90s. It had style and an air of coolness as Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway made these a winner in the franchise’s heyday. Why did the organization ever go away from the pinstripes? — Friedell

3. Chicago Bulls (Road red)

Seasons worn: 1985-present

Notable players in this look: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, Derrick Rose

When you think of Michael Jordan and the Bulls winning six championships, you think of these jerseys. The red stands out the most. The B-U-L-L-S across the chest. It’s what Jordan wore when he dropped 63 at Boston Garden, when he hit the shot over Craig Ehlo and when he walked off against Utah in 1998. — Lopez

2. Boston Celtics (Classic green)

Seasons worn: 1972-2014

Notable players in this look: Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Paul Pierce

While several franchises undergo redesign cycles every decade, the Celtics’ look is clearly here to stay. The original Celtics road jersey read “Boston” on the front, but was changed to “Celtics” in 1972, and remained that way until 2014, when the team switched back to “Boston.” Aside from that, there have been only subtle shifts to the core design over time, with the simple styling remaining the team’s trademark. — DePaula

1. Los Angeles Lakers (Showtime gold)

Seasons worn: 1978-99

Notable players in this look: Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Byron Scott

In 1978, the Lakers made a change to their gold home jerseys, reversing the colors of the number and drop shadow. The purple digits pop off the gold mesh, creating a look as flashy as the style of play of the “Showtime” team that wore it. And the white drop shadow gives the numbers on the jerseys a classic feel that fits the history that was made by the players wearing them. — McMenamin

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Ranking the top jerseys in NBA historyon December 14, 2021 at 1:28 pm Read More »

Man shot and seriously wounded outside Jewel-Osco as he fought with another man who had a concealed carry licenseSun-Times Wireon December 14, 2021 at 12:34 pm

Chicago police investigate the scene where two people were shot outside of a Jewel-Osco Dec. 13, 2021, in West Elsdon. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

The shooting happened in the 5300 block of South Pulaski Road in West Elsdon.

A man was shot and seriously wounded in a Jewel-Osco parking lot on the Southwest Side Monday evening as he fought with a man who had a concealed carry license.

The fight began around 5:10 p.m. in the 5300 block of South Pulaski Road. A 54-year-old man had just left and the store and started struggling with another man, 32, in the parking lot.

The older man pulled a gun and opened fire, hitting the younger man in the head, police said. The younger man was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in serious condition.

The older man suffered an injury to his hand and was taken to Holy Cross Hospital in good condition, police said. Police would not say if the injury was a gunshot wound.

An employee, who asked not to be named, said he saw the two men fighting near the entrance to the store. “Just shows he shouldn’t have a gun,” the employee said.

At the scene, workers moved around the parking lot collecting carts, but the store remained closed for the rest of the night. A sweatshirt and a baseball cap lay on the ground in front of the doors near a trail of blood.

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Man shot and seriously wounded outside Jewel-Osco as he fought with another man who had a concealed carry licenseSun-Times Wireon December 14, 2021 at 12:34 pm Read More »

West Side Story 2021: It’s real and spectacularon December 14, 2021 at 12:11 pm

I’ve Got The Hippy Shakes

West Side Story 2021: It’s real and spectacular

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West Side Story 2021: It’s real and spectacularon December 14, 2021 at 12:11 pm Read More »

5 burning questions for 2022: Illinois State editionon December 14, 2021 at 10:43 am

Prairie State Pigskin

5 burning questions for 2022: Illinois State edition

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5 burning questions for 2022: Illinois State editionon December 14, 2021 at 10:43 am Read More »

1 killed, 4 wounded, in shootings Monday in ChicagoSun-Times Wireon December 14, 2021 at 9:42 am

One person was killed, and four others were wounded in shootings Dec. 14, 2021, in Chicago. | Sun-Times file photo

A man was fatally shot in Lawndale.

One person was killed, and four others were wounded, in shootings Monday in Chicago, including a man who was fatally shot in an apartment in Lawndale on the West Side.

About 7:30 p.m., someone shot the 33-year-old in the chest in an apartment in the 1600 block of South Karlov Avenue, Chicago police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He has not yet been identified.

In non-fatal shootings, a man was shot in the head in a Jewel-Osco parking lot in West Elsdon on the Southwest Side. A 54-year-old man was leaving the store about 5:10 p.m. in the 5300 block of South Pulaski Road when he got into a fight with a 32-year-old man in the parking lot, police said. The older man then pulled out a gun and opened fire, striking the younger man in the head. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in serious condition. The older man suffered an injury to his hand and was taken to Holy Cross Hospital in good condition, police said, adding that he has a valid concealed-carry license. Police would not say if the injury was a gunshot wound.

Three others were wounded in shootings citywide.

Three people were killed, and twenty-six others were wounded, in shootings last weekend in Chicago.

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1 killed, 4 wounded, in shootings Monday in ChicagoSun-Times Wireon December 14, 2021 at 9:42 am Read More »

‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’: Marvel hero takes an existential turn in innovative new adventureRichard Roeperon December 14, 2021 at 6:30 am

“Spider-Man: No Way Home” brings the superhero (Tom Holland) a rematch with Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina). | Columbia Pictures

Time tinkering brings on the welcome return of the classic villains Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus and Electro.

Where there’s a web there’s a way.

Ah, but is there a way home when you no longer feel at home even when you ARE home, because all of a sudden everybody knows your name and wants a piece of you? What a tangled web this Spidey has weaved, even though he never really intended to deceive.

Shew! If you think that’s a lot to sift through, you better strap in and hang on through the slow-starting but eventually innovative, exciting, funny and heart-tugging “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” the third chapter in the trilogy that began with “Homecoming” in 2017 and “Far From Home” in 2019, and of course we’ve seen Tom Holland’s Peter Parker/Spidey in other chapters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s no spoiler to say this won’t be his last appearance — and we can’t wait to see how it all plays out, because by the end of this arduous and sometimes convoluted journey, well, let’s just say things have changed in a big way.

To quote the Eagles and “Life in the Fast Lane,” are you with me so far? Thanks. Let’s walk through this together while we sidestep a treasure trove of cool twists and turns you’ll experience over the course of Jon Watts’ 148-minute, alternately breezy and existential deep dive into the multi-verse. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” picks up a week after the events of “Far From Home,” with Spidey’s world exploding after the vanquished villain Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) has left a parting shot from beyond the grave: the reveal that Spider-Man is none other than a 17-year-old high school student named Peter Parker.

The world and in particular New York City is quickly divided into two camps: those who continue to believe their Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is a local hero, and those who label him a vigilante who must be brought to justice. Fueling the fires for the latter camp is none other than J.K. Simmons’ J. Jonah Jameson from the three Sam Raimi “Spider-Man” movies in the 2000s, who has transitioned from tabloid newspaper editor to a ranting and raving webcaster a la Alex Jones for TheDailyBugle.net (he even sells products of dubious value during commercial breaks). With billboards proclaiming Spider-Man “Public Enemy #1” and media helicopters hovering over his every move, Peter and his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya) and best buddy/sidekick Ned (Jacob Batalon) are devastated, mostly because they’ve become so controversial, they’re getting rejected by one college after another.

Columbia Pictures
His secret identity exposed, Peter Parker (Tom Holland, left) can’t get into a good college, and neither can girlfriend MJ (Zendaya) or buddy Ned (Jacob Batalon).

Seriously. That’s the big sticking point in the early going of “No Way Home,” that Peter and MJ and Ned can’t get into MIT or any of their safety schools because they’re so polarizing. Director Watts and writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers spend a bit too much on this plot point, which is eventually used as a rather awkward springboard for Peter to seek out the one and only Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) in his awesome, multi-story brownstone on Bleecker Street, in the hopes the doc will do a little magic puttering with the timeline and rearrange things so that only those that knew Spider-Man’s identity prior to Mysterio’s reveal will retain that knowledge. That way, Peter and MJ and Ned can go to college, and Peter can do a little greater Boston area crime-fighting in his spare time!

Uh-oh. Loophole. Thing is, when you take into account the whole multi-verse thing, it’s not just MJ and Ned and Marisa Tomei’s Aunt May and Jon Favreau’s Happy who are aware of Spider-Man’s true identity. The likes of Norman Osborn/Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) and Max Dillon/Electro (Jamie Foxx) know Peter/Spidey, and all of a sudden, the whole lot of ’em have landed in THIS universe, and yes, it’s a thrill to see these great actors reprising their memorable roles from years and movies gone by.

These villains are stunned beyond comprehension at this new world, which contains a Peter Parker who doesn’t look anything like the Peter Parker they know. This makes for some light comedic moments and also a truly intriguing dramatic question: What if it’s possible for these resurrected monsters to return to their human selves in this universe? It’s an intriguing conundrum, and a clever plot device, as it allows Dafoe, Molina and Foxx to bring their characters back as more than just CGI-infused mutations.

The battle sequences in “No Way Home” are relatively low-key, taking place in and around New York City, with the climactic sequence transpiring in rather murky fashion due to the nighttime setting. There’s nothing new or particularly memorable about the serviceable CGI and practical effects, but we remain invested in the outcome in large part because Holland remains the best of the cinematic Spider-Men, while Zendaya lends heart and smarts and warmth to every moment she’s onscreen. We continue to root for these two to make it, even if the multi-verse isn’t always on their side.

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‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’: Marvel hero takes an existential turn in innovative new adventureRichard Roeperon December 14, 2021 at 6:30 am Read More »

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers now tops in TDs, wins against BearsSun-Times wireson December 14, 2021 at 5:12 am

Aaron Rodgers went 29-for-37, throwing two touchdown passes to Davante Adams and one each to Allen Lazard and Aaron Jones in the 45-30 victory Sunday night against the Bears. | Aaron Gash/AP

Rodgers passed Brett Favre on Sunday for the most career TD passes vs. the Bears. He also has a record 23 wins against them.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Ownership has its privileges. Just ask Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The reigning MVP went 29-for-37, throwing two touchdown passes to Davante Adams and one each to Allen Lazard and Aaron Jones in the 45-30 victory Sunday night against the Bears.

That means Rodgers has 61 career touchdown passes against the Bears, the most all-time against them and one more than his predecessor, Brett Favre. He also has 23 wins as a starter against the Bears, also tops all-time.

“It does mean a lot to me,” Rodgers said. “It really does. The majority of stats don’t mean much, but this rivalry does mean a lot to me because I’m almost an adult in Green Bay — I’ve lived here for 17 years and started for 14. I know how much this rivalry means to our fans, and to be a part of it has been really special.”

Rodgers played through a broken toe that had limited his practice time over the last month.

“It feels worse,” Rodgers said. “I don’t know what kind of setback I had tonight, but we’ll look at it tomorrow. Definitely took a step back tonight.”

This might be Rodgers’ last opportunity to experience the rivalry with his future in Green Bay uncertain beyond this season. He said he wasn’t thinking about that.

“You guys love bringing up the question of next year and stuff,” said Lazard, who appeared for his postgame Zoom session wearing an “I still own you!” T-shirt.

“I think in our locker room, especially him, we don’t pay attention to that stuff. We just stay in the moment, stay focused. He’s done a great job, a tremendous job this year, of just being a leader, being resilient and exuding that calmness throughout the entire locker room.”

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Packers QB Aaron Rodgers now tops in TDs, wins against BearsSun-Times wireson December 14, 2021 at 5:12 am Read More »

‘Grown up’ vs. ‘adulting’on December 14, 2021 at 3:40 am

Margaret Serious

‘Grown up’ vs. ‘adulting’

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‘Grown up’ vs. ‘adulting’on December 14, 2021 at 3:40 am Read More »