NBA “Earned” Uniforms: Who Hit (and Missed) the Mark?

The NBA needed another uniform reveal like I need another 10 pounds, but here we are, criticizing yet another round of new hoops threads. On Wednesday, the league announced that they’ve awarded new “Earned” Edition uniforms to the 16 teams that qualified for the 2020 postseason.

Nike unveils new Earned Edition jerseys to celebrate the 16 teams that made last year’s playoffs 👀 pic.twitter.com/oXl9DpJbQ9

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 10, 2021

So, I’ve decided to do what I always do with a new uniform announcement; Take a look at them and – since we all love rankings (am I right?) – give you my favorites and least favorites in rankings that will matter to nobody except myself. Let’s do it.

THE WORST

UTAH – There’s a special place in hell for your franchise after ripping off the color scheme of a franchise that was not only ripped from the arms of its city, but a pretty big rival as well. Not sure if the Jazz are trolling Sonics fans or ignorant. Probably both. 

📸 pic.twitter.com/8QkZvEFCL3

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) March 10, 2021

DALLAS – These look just like what they wear now. Somebody either missed a deadline or just didn’t care. The effort in this design is a mirror image of the Mavs’ effort on defense … non-existent. 

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨

Mavs Earned Edition uniforms officially unveiled and will be worn TONIGHT vs. Spurs!

📷: @NickDePaula pic.twitter.com/QNRq3YVmXr

— Mavs Tracker (@MavsTracker) March 10, 2021

LA CLIPPERS – Gray and white is never a good combination. Yeah, there’s a hint of red, but not enough to keep this set from looking like a sad day. Actually, it kinda resembles Paul George in the playoffs. Depressing.

The Clippers’ “Earned Edition” jerseys pic.twitter.com/OBfbaiohW2

— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) March 10, 2021

PHILADEPLHIA – If not for the Liberty Bell/jersey number placement, this set would’ve likely ended up in the better part of this column. However, the bell looks clunky and placing the numbers over the top is just odd. I don’t have an alternative, but anything else would probably look better than this. 

The 76ers’ “Earned Edition” jerseys pic.twitter.com/N1SOa6tA6D

— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) March 10, 2021

THE BEST

MIAMI – Say what you want, but I love it. The combination of “Trophy Gold” and black looks clean. The promotion behind it is also great. Outside of the “Black In Black” set from the Big Three days, this is my favorite uniform set for Miami. 

Miami Heat “earned edition” jerseys pic.twitter.com/0ykAPXMxZB

— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) March 10, 2021

DENVER – I hardly ever disagree with any new uni the Nuggets release, and I won’t start now. The logo and number placement on the front of the jersey are perfect (Sixers, take note), the piping is nice and it’s just a solid, clean look. 

Looks good on ya, @BeMore27!

Earned Edition merch is on sale 3/18 👀#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/EKHgHLjaS3

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 10, 2021

MILWAUKEE – The Bucks did a nice job incorporating the antlers into the sides of this set, starting from the bottom of the shorts and working all the way up to the lettering on the jersey. Nailed it. 

More looks at the Bucks Earned Edition uniforms, which debut tomorrow night against the Knicks: pic.twitter.com/jLI1siUAf7

— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) March 10, 2021

LA LAKERS – They didn’t change anything, but they got the gold swoosh, so they didn’t have to. Their uniform says it all. “We’re the champs, now try and beat us.” They made a statement without making a statement.

Purple, Gold, and Gray. Check out the details of the #LakeShow Earned Edition Uniform. pic.twitter.com/uDHGFeSvuq

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 10, 2021

Cliff Gibson is a 20-year journalism professional and Navy veteran living in Pierce County, Washington. Follow him on Twitter @cliffcgibson.