Monday, November 12, 2018

J-Speaks: 2018-19 NBA "City Edition" Uniforms


Eastern Conference

All 30 NBA teams will be sporting “City Edition” uniforms for the 2018-19 campaign which began at the start of this weekend. For some teams, their alternate uniforms are an updated version from a season ago, while other squads updated their looks completely to pay homage to their city or a very important symbolization of it.
To celebrate their 50th season in the “ATL,” the Atlanta Hawks (3-10) paid homage to the place they called home for five decades by designing their “City Edition” uniforms in a combination of black-and-gold apparel, which they debut in a 124-109 loss versus the Detroit Pistons (6-6). They also will have a 50th Anniversary black-and-gold floor at State Farm Arena. 
In keeping up with their storied tradition, the Boston Celtics “City Edition” Uniforms were inspired by the team’s warm-up jackets of former Celtics greats from Hall of Famers and multiple time champions Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, Robert Parish, Larry Bird and legendary head coach, and executive Red Auerbach. 
The city name “BOSTON” that has been used on their away uniforms in the 1940s will be in green, white and gold color combination on the front chest plate as well as Nike+Connect that will give fans the chance to tap into exclusive unlocks and NBA highlights. The date in which the C’s will debut these uniforms has not been disclosed. 
The Brooklyn Nets will honor the cultural diversity and a music icon with their “City Edition” jerseys later this season. 
The multi-colored pattern, dubbed by the team “Brooklyn Camo” on the outside part of the jersey and shorts represents the cultural diversity in terms of race, religion, and ethnicity in this borough of New York. The new unis also pay homage to Brooklyn icon and music game changer Christopher “Biggie Smalls” Wallace. The team plans on wearing these uniforms 16 times this season. The date when the team will debut their “City Edition” unis has not been announced. 
The Charlotte Hornets will continue with their “Buzz City” look that they sported for the “City Edition” uniforms a season ago, which will make their debut on Monday, Nov. 19 versus the Boston Celtics and will be dawned for nine other homes games this season at Spectrum Center versus the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 15; the back-to-back defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors on Feb. 25, and seven road games. 
The unis will once again feature the “Buzz City” phrase on the chest plate of the jersey, with the words being in the color teal, with black and teal outlines. The team’s sharp color palette is drawn from the contributions to the history of the state of North Carolina’s aircraft flight. The players name on the back of the jersey will be entirely in teal as opposed to black with a white outline last season. The sides and back of the player’s jersey and shorts will have a gray pattern designed as representation of the wings of the hornet. The jersey will also include the phrase “City of Flight” also in teal above the jock tag at the bottom left. The letter “H” will be displayed on the player’s waistband of their shorts surrounded by wings very similar to those sported on the original Nike Air Jordan Land II kicks. The secondary logo of the team of a teal Hornets exposing its stinger will appear on the side of the shorts completely in teal, while a flap will appear adjacent on each side of the logo with the one on the right leg concealing a hidden “CHA.” 
“The City Edition uniform is inspired by our fans and their passion that transforms Charlotte into Buzz City,” Hornets President and Vice Chairman Fred Whitfield said at the start of this month. “It represents the civic pride that our organization has for our city and the dedication that our community has for the Hornets. The contrast of the solemn black and vibrant teal evokes the menacing intensity of a hornet and the swarming nature we want opponents to fell when they visit Spectrum Center. We are excited to see the new design worn on the court by our players and in the stands by our fans.” 
On those nights the “City Uniforms” are worn by the Hornets on the floor, according to NBA.com, the game presentation will focus on the city and its fans with a unique intro video as well as other special content. 
The “Windy City’s” four-star flag was the inspiration behind the Chicago Bulls “City Edition” look for this season as the jersey is in black red stars on the chest plate of the jersey, with sky blue lines on the outside of it. The team nickname “Bulls” featured on the front of the waistband with two sky blue lines circling both sides of the waistband. The players jersey number in the color of red on the just to the left on the jersey. The Nike insignia as well as the team sponsor “Zenni” on the right and left top respectably on the jersey. “Sweet Home” is included on the shorts and on the base of the jersey. 
The Bulls debut their “City Edition” jerseys in a 99-98 win versus the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night.
The Cleveland Cavaliers turned back the clock to 1994 with their “City Edition” unis, back to their original colors of orange and blue. These are the colors they dawned when they first returned to downtown Cleveland, OH after many years playing in Richfield at the old coliseum. 
The Cavs also channeled the natural power of Lake Erie and the script “Cleveland” on the chest plate of the jersey mimics the city’s sign that welcomes all visitors to the lake. 
The color scheme of the jersey will be one half orange and the bottom half in blue, with the city name “Cleveland” in all white on the chest plate, with the players jersey number on the front and back, and the player’s last name on the back in all white. The Nike insignia and the symbol, a shoe with a wing of the team’s sponsor Goodyear in white on the left and right top of the jersey respectably. 
“There’s power in this lake. There’s strength in this city. All for the land” the Cavs said via Twitter @cavs in an introductory video introducing their “City Edition” unis.
The Detroit Pistons will continue sporting their “Motor City” look that has been a part of their uniform mix for the past few seasons with some differences to their “City Edition” unis for this season. 
While the term “Motor City,” representing the automotive culture of Detroit will remain on the chest plate of the jersey, the anthracite gray color scheme and double, hand stitched vertical stripes are in representation of Detroit’s iron and steel buildings that were forged by a distinctive work ethic. 
The updated uniforms which has a black based color along with gray accents and embellishments will be accompanied by special-edition warm-up apparel. 
The uniforms will be worn five games at Little Caesars Arena, beginning on Nov. 23 when the Pistons host the Houston Rockets and for 13 road games, starting with the team’s Dec. 5 date at their Central Division rival the Milwaukee Bucks. 
Speed was the focus for the “City Edition” uniforms of the Indiana Pacers, whose jerseys will feature the team’s nickname “PACERS” in all capital letters on the front to the “ALWAYS LEAD” text tucked into the left hip of the uniform. 
“It kind of represents Indiana as a whole,” All-Star guard Victor Oladipo said after trying on the jersey for the first time at the start of this month. “We’re a very subtle state, but when it’s time to get on and poppin’, it’s time to get poppin.”
The Pacers “City Edition” unis were originally designed to evoke speed but this update to the traditional uniform is the reimagination to the team’s classic yellow marks, while also pulling details from the Flo-Jo jerseys that honor in legendary sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner. 
The original Flo-Jo unis came in two versions-one with white as the dominate color and the other in midnight blue. The Pacers donned these jerseys from 1990-97 where they made six playoff appearances, which include two Eastern Conference Finals appearances in 1994 and 1998, where they lost to the New York Knicks and the Chicago Bulls both in seven games. 
The “City Edition” uniforms come in gray with diagonal midnight blue and gold stripes that break from the uniforms solid gray color. 
“I think fans will like them because they’re different,” Oladipo said what he thinks fans will react to the team’s “City Uniforms.” “I think they’ll like the colorway too. The gray with the blue lining on the side.”
The “City Edition” unis will also feature a nod to the Pacers’ #WeGrowBasektballHere ethos as the ray lines on the team’s alternate gold Statement unis will appear on both the shorts and siding of the city unis. 
Those ray lines break through the text “ALWAYS LEAD,” that will be tucked into the shorts of the city unis during game day. 
The blending of “ALWAYS LEAD” and #WeGrowBasketballHere are the state of Indiana’s commitment to lead the way for future hoopsters at all corners of the state, even as the game becomes a more global passion. 
The Pacers will dawn their “City Edition” unis 12 times this season, including seven times at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, beginning on Nov. 17 versus the Atlanta Hawks. 
The Miami Heat will pay tribute to the history of their city and their team during the 1980s with their “City Edition” uniforms during “Vice Nights” this season. 
It is continuation of their white “Vice” uniform look from last season, which was one of the more popular “City Edition” uniforms during the 2017-18 campaign as they paid tribute to the television show “Miami Vice.” 
The hot pink and blue recall color pattern is a recollection of the neon signage throughout South Beach, which is the melting pot of the Latin American culture. 
The new look silhouette from the 1988 colored in laser light fuchsia and blue gale in black jerseys and shorts was rolled out in a promotion video that featured the voice of Phil Collins playing in the background while several Heat players showering in the new unis. The “MH” logo on the waistband of the shorts was remade to represent a more modern flavor.
The Heat will dawn it “Vice Nights” look on a newly designed court of American Airlines Arena 15 times this season, which began on Friday night in their 110-102 loss versus the Pacers. 
In paying homage to the “MECCA” era, which represented their most successful runs in franchise history, the Milwaukee Bucks will be dawning a tasteful combo of gold, blue, green, and red for their “City Edition” uniforms for 2018-19. 
For those unfamiliar with the “MECCA” era, it is the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UW) Panther Arena where the Bucks played from 1977 to the 1987-88 season before moving over the BMO Harris Bradley Center and now Fiserv Forum. 
Last season, the Bucks played one game at the formerly known “MECCA” on Oct. 26, 2017 against the Celtics. 
The jersey will be in the colors of red on the top right, bright yellow on the left and goldish at the bottom of the jersey. The team’s nickname “BUCKS” will be in all-caps green on the left with the players jersey number in all green on the right. There will be a capital “M” on the waistband of the shorts with blue and green trimming on the bottom of the legs. The city name in all yellow caps on the blue part of the right leg. The Nike insignia will be on the top right of the jersey in yellow with the team’s sponsor Harley Davidson in its symbolic form on the top left of the jersey. 
The Bucks will wear their “City Edition” unis 12 times this season, beginning on Nov. 19 versus the Denver Nuggets. 
The boys from the “Big Apple” will pay homage to the past, present, and future with their “City Edition” unis. 
The blue-and-orange checkered print uniforms the team had for a nine-year period in the 1950s will also pay homage to the unity and diversity of NYC. The other new part to the Knicks “City Edition” unis is the NYK basketball logo on the waistband of the shorts. 
“The City Edition uniforms represents the unity and diversity of our city,” the team said in a statement earlier this month. “The iconic symbolizes our ambitions and shared dreams. The blue and orange piping pays homage to the 1952-61 Knicks uniform. The first Knicks uniform worn with a non-arched New York wordmark.” 
The Knicks (4-10) debut their “City Edition” uniforms in a 115-89 loss versus the Orlando Magic (6-7) on Sunday night at Madison Square Garden. The team did not announce how many more games they will play in their “City Edition” unis for this season. 
Being a dreamer and presenting a more shimmery look was the inspiration behind the “City Edition” uniforms for the Orlando Magic for 2018-19. 
The jerseys according to the Magic will feature a more shimmery look of stars across a dark skyline and more of a black tone as opposed to the blue and black look from a season ago. 
The team stated in a press release that the “City Edition” unis will break from the team’s pinstripe tradition for a “unique take on the Magic name.” 
The Magic also said that the unis will maintain the iconic symbol of a basketball on the chest plate with ream of stars behind it. The side panels of the jersey will have a galaxy-filled side. The team’s logo across the chest plate will have a chrome and metallic sheen. 
That the “City Edition” uniforms will debut on Nov. 14 when the team host the Philadelphia 76ers and will wear them on other dates throughout the season. 
Speaking of the Sixers, their 2018-19 “City Edition” unis in partnership with their jersey patch sponsor “Stubhub” celebrates Philadelphia, PA’s rich history of the challenger’s mentality that was the inspiration of the “Rocky” and “Creed” movie franchises.
“We are excited to unveil this City Edition uniform, which pays tribute to the heart, determination, and tenacity of our city and fan base,” 76ers President of Business Operations Chris Heck said. “In partnership with Stubhub and MGM [Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures], we developed a concept that speaks to the mentality that has defined our city for generations. It’s a nod to a city with a fighter’s toughness and mentality, a mentality that our team and players embody every time they take the floor. As stewards of the 76ers brand, we have an obligation to honor Philadelphia and celebrate new Philadelphia. We are proud to wear this uniform and represent the City of Brotherly Love.” 
The circle of 13 stars is derived from the boxing ring where Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone first squared off against Apollo Creed, played by Carl Weathers in “Rocky I.” The influence behind the gray sweat suit-textured base came from both Adonis Creed, played by Michael B. Jordan and Rocky’s legendary training scenes throughout the streets of the “City of Brotherly Love.” 
The stars also are meant to resemble parchment paper, a nod to the Declaration of Independence, while the red, white, and blue color scheme on the collar of the jersey and the sleeves to the “Join or Die” ultimatum on the shorts, as well as the championship belt of Stallone’s famous character. 
The phrase “PHILADELPHIA, USA” embroidered on the lower left hem of the jersey is a nod to the fans of the city and their heart and determination. 
The Sixers (8-6) debut their “City Edition” jerseys on Friday night in a thrilling 133-132 overtime win versus the Charlotte Hornets (7-6). The team will wear the “City Edition” unis at all “Spirit of 76” Friday home games as well as all April 2019 home games. 
“Creed II” staring Stallone and Jordan hits movie theaters everywhere on Wednesday, Nov. 21. 
Continuing a tradition that began last season, the Toronto Raptors will continue their OVO-themed home games and their uniforms representing their mantra that began in the playoffs a few seasons back, “We the North.” 
The Chevron print on the chest of the jersey, which is traditionally pointed down has been reversed to point up this season as a reflection of the Raptors position as the northernmost team in “The Association.”
The team showed their appreciation to the fans of their city by having a Maple leaf on the waistband of their “City Edition” shorts to symbolize the fandom for all of Canada. 
The Raptors “City Edition” Uniforms are very similar to last seasons which coincided with home games that featured a black and gold home court. The “City Edition” jerseys this season will be in white with black and gold color scheme mixed in. 
The Raptors did not specify when the team will begin sporting their “City Edition” unis and how many times they will be wearing their OVO uniforms in 2018-19. 
Along with the announcement with their “City Edition” jerseys for the 2018-19 season on Nov. 2, the Washington Wizards revealed their new jersey sponsor, the insurance company Geico. 
The Wizards “City Edition” jerseys were designed in tribute to the most iconic part of our nation’s capital at night-the National Mall. 
Last season, the Wizards’ “City Edition” uni silhouette was in White with “The District of Columbia” on the chest plate of the jersey in blue with the second “I” doted with a basketball. This season’s “City Edition” uniforms silhouette will be in black.
Along with the black silhouette of the Washington Monument in up the side of the jersey and shorts, the District of Columbia flag is featured on the belt of the shorts. 
The side panels of the jersey are in white are meant to evoke the look and texture of the famous Washington Monument while the belt of the shorts will represent the flag of the District of Columbia. 
Instead of the team’s nickname “Wizards” on the chest plate of the jersey, “The district of Columbia” like last season will be on it with the Nike insignia and the jersey sponsor Geico on the left and right upper part of the jersey respectably in white with the player’s jersey number in the middle also in white. 
The Wizards plan to wear their “City Edition” unis 19 times this season, with their first appearance on Nov. 16 against the Brooklyn Nets.   

Western Conference

“True Maverick” theme was the focus of the “City Edition” jerseys for 2018-19 for the Dallas Mavericks, which was meant to represent the rebirth of the 2011 NBA champions around a revamped roster that features stellar rookie swingman Luka Doncic. 
The “City Edition” uniforms are also a modern-day facelift paying homage to the “Big D,” that consists of memories of cowboy boots and Country Western movies while showing appreciation to the city’s budding technology sector and entrepreneurial spirit
According to Mavs.com, the definition of “A True Maverick” is described as a genuine, unorthodox, independent-minded person. They are authentic, eccentric, free spirits who are fearless and selfless. They are out-of-the-box thinkers with an original Lone Star swagger. Rooted deep in Dallas heritage, a True Maverick is bold, with an unrelenting passion for the game, uniquely genuine and progressive, just like the city they belong to. A True Maverick gives back to the community. They put others before themselves and strive to leave everything better than they found it. We are, True Mavericks. 
The Nike Swoosh insignia on the left chest of the jersey represents “True Grit.” The jersey sponsor insignia “5 Miles” on the right upper part of the jersey represents “True Alliance.” The Big-D short vent in True Teal represents “True Dedication.” The DAL call letters on the knee of the shorts represents “True Community.” The M highlighted in True Teal in the Horsehead logo represents “True MFFL.” The famed Dallas skyline placed above the jock tag of the jersey represents “True Passion.” The Championship Tag in representation of the previously mentioned 2011 Mavericks title on the back nape represents “True Competitor.”
The Teal accents also underscore the oversized Mavericks logo on the chest plate of the jersey as well as its graphics. A single star located inside the right flap of the shorts pays honor to the state nickname “Maverick.”
The Mavericks (4-8) debut their 2018-19 “City Edition” uniforms in a 111-96 win versus the Oklahoma City Thunder (7-5) at American Airlines Center on Saturday night. They will sport these unis nine more times this season. 
The Denver Nuggets turned back the clock to the stretch from 1981-82 to 1992-93 for their “City Edition” unis that were famous for the “rainbow skyline,” which became popular by the squads led by Alex English, Lafayette “Fat” Lever and other Nuggets icons from the early 1980s. 
According to Nuggets.com, the original logo, which was designed in 1974 was created by fans where Carl Scheer in advanced of the 1981-82 NBA campaign created a fan contest where anyone could enter and the winner would be decided by the staff of the organization. 
Scheer’s logo became the front runner that featured the Denver skyline set against the Rocky Mountains which included a rainbow in the background which became known as the “Rainbow Skyline,” which the classic uniforms were derived from. 
What made this design standout amongst the rest was it represented the vibrance and growth that occurred in Denver, CO in the 1980s. 
The colorful logo seemed became a big hit with the team as they made the playoffs from 1982-90. 
The updated version for the “City Edition” unis, that will be marking a quarter century since the design was originally retired as the Nuggets main uniforms is in honor of the original with some modernization to fit the “Mile High” City’s advancement, evolution, and modernization of the present era. 
Also included in the background of the famed design in this season’s “City Edition” jersey is a group of elevation lines through the logo, which was the inspiration of topological maps. 
“The Nuggets knocked it out of the park by bringing back the Rainbow Skyline look they sported from 1981 to 1993. These are beautiful, and the black trim, and lettering combine for a perfect, balancing touch,” Uggetti said of the fourth best “City Edition” uniform look for 2018-19. “They should be the permanent uniform.”
The last time the Nuggets dawned these famous and popular uniforms was for the jersey retirement ceremony of Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo on Oct. 29, 2016, a 115-113 overtime loss versus the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Nuggets will don their 2018-19 “City Edition” unis seven times this season beginning on Nov. 13 versus Houston Rockets. 
Last season’s Western Conference Finalists in the back-to-back defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors and the West runner Houston Rockets pay homage to Chinese culture in their 2018-19 “City Edition” uniforms. 
The Warriors “City Edition” uniforms bridged their home with the rich Chinese culture of San Francisco, CA. Nike reimagined the Warriors’ home court into an original Chinese coin on the chest plate and the shorts of the uniform.  
The crimson red of the Rockets’ “City Edition” jersey pays homage to the traditional Chinese formalwear, where the color represents both good fortune and success. The team’s nickname and the number “19” appear on the chest plate of the jersey in Chinese characters in anticipation of the forthcoming season. 
No date has been announced on when both the Warriors and Rockets will debut their “City Edition” unis. 
The Los Angeles Clippers with their “City Edition” jersey pay homage to a very important event that took place in the city of LA 34 years ago. 
For the first time in franchise history, “LA” in their name as it will be featured on their jersey, which is inspired by the 1984 Olympic Games “Stars in Motion” logo. It is also the year the Clippers moved to the “City of Angels” from San Diego, CA.
The five red stars on both sides of the jersey represent the five Olympic Rings and the three-star logo from that historic event. The voice of the team for four decades Ralph Lawler, who will retire at season’s end has his signature stitched into the bottom left corner of the jersey. 
The first of six games the Clippers (7-5) will wear their “City Edition” uniforms took place on Saturday night in a thrilling 128-126 overtime win versus the hot Milwaukee Bucks (10-3). 
LA’s most famed team had a “Magic” touch to their 2018-19 “City Edition” uniforms as President of Basketball Operations, Hall of Famer and five-time champion Earvin “Magic” Johnson lent his skills to the design. 
The 2018-19 Lakers “City Edition” jerseys are a part of the Lore Series in honor of the famed MJ. Very deep within the jersey are all-over pinstripe graphics “3X5XShowtime” that celebrate “Magic’s” three league MVPs and five titles he help lead the “Showtime” era Lakers to in nine appearances in the 1980s. 
In the middle of the waistband of the shorts is “Magic’s” No. 32 jersey number in black and gold, with the capital “M” in the background. Deep within another part of the shorts is the word “Believe,” and in another part is “Magic 32.” 
“Through his electrifying playmaking and personality, ‘Magic’ Johnson exemplified what it meant to be a Laker during the ‘Showtime’ era,” the Lakers said in a statement on their website on Nov. 8. 
A date has not been selected for when the Lakers will debut their “City Edition” uniforms. 
The Memphis Grizzlies (7-4) paid homage to the traditions of music, wrestling, and basketball of their city for their 2018-19 “City Edition” unis, that made the first of six appearances this season in their 112-106 overtime win versus the 76ers on Saturday night. 
The dubbed “Main Event” unis represent, according to Memphis.com a revival of a beloved intersection of Memphis sports and entertainment from the hallowed halls of Ellis Auditorium, the Mid-South Coliseum, Saturday mornings on WMC TV to the bright lights of the Grizzlies’ home court of FedEXForum where entertainers as athletes of the past from their heels, faces and kings alike that have for generations made Memphis, TN a hub for true entertainment.  
“The sweet spot where sports & entertainment meet. Whether on a mat, in a studio or up & down the hardwood, we go against the grain and celebrate our culturally unique style, flair, and an appreciation for a comeback story,” the team also said on their website about what their “City Edition” uniforms represent.
The Minnesota Timberwolves inspiration for their 2018-19 “City Edition” uniforms was the iconic of musician, songwriter, record producer, filmmaker, and high school basketball great Prince Rogers Nelson, best known as Prince. 
The T’Wolves worked with Prince’s estate to create the uniform that incorporated a number of references to his legacy from the font- which paid homage to the height of his powers in the 1980s, to the color that really exemplified his persona purple. 
Along with collaborating on the “City Edition” unis with Prince’s Estate, the T’Wolves will also recognize and donate to non-profit organizations that will advance causes that really were important to the music icon and that are actively involved in the continuation of his legacy. 
It will include on the court check presentations to these organizations at five home games where the “City Edition” uniforms will be worn starting on Friday, Nov. 16 at Target Center versus the Portland Trail Blazers. The team will also wear these uniforms three times on the road at the Lakers on Jan. 24; at the Nuggets on Mar. 12 and at the Utah Jazz two days later. 
“From a young age, Prince enjoyed basketball-as a player and a fan. From his days playing at Bryant Junior High School and Central High in South Minneapolis, through countless pick-up games while on the road with bandmates around the world, he enjoyed the camaraderie and competition of the game,” representatives of Prince’s family said in a statement. 
According to the story of the release of the team’s “City Edition” uniforms at the start of this month, the left vent of the jersey bears a paisley leaf that is in tribute to Prince’s creative sanctuary-Paisley Park. The right shoulder pattern honors the iconic jacket the legendary musician wore when he performed his most iconic song “Purple Rain.” The “MPLS” on the left leg of the shorts is a symbol for the Minneapolis Sound which Prince ushered in during the late 1970s. The Timberwolves partial logos will be in the color tonal purple-the regal color most closely associated with Prince is on the right leg of the shorts and on the belt buckle.  
“When you see a Prince-inspired jersey, it’s hard not to put the Wolves at the top of this list and call it a day,” Paolo Uggetti of “The Ringer” said of the No. 3 ranked best “City Edition” jerseys for 2018-19.
“It all works, from the font, to the colors, to the pattern along with right shoulder area inspired by Prince’s outfit from when he performed “Purple Rain.” It’s a near-perfect jersey. I’m gonna regret not putting it at No. 1, aren’t you.?”  
There are few cities in the United States of America that have as much color and personality than New Orleans, LA, also known as “The Big Easy.” The New Orleans Pelicans plan to capture all of that and then some with their “City Edition” jerseys. 
Several aspects of the culture of the city will be displayed in these unis from the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold that will be featured on the chest plate of the jersey, the neckline and down the sides of the shorts. 
The team’s “Fleur-De-Lis” logo will also be featured in the colors purple, green, and gold on the sides of the shorts. There will be a flap on the bottom of the legs of the shorts that will display a hidden “Comedy Tragedy” Madi Gras mask. 
The date when the Pelicans plan to don these jerseys for a home game at Smoothie King Center has not been disclosed. 
The Oklahoma City Thunder “City Edition” jerseys will honor the state’s Native American heritage. 
“More than just a uniform, this is a statement of our pride in the Native American culture that is so rich and vibrant in the fabric of Oklahoma,” Thunder Senior Vice President Brian Byrnes said. 
“We are honored to have worked with Nike to develop a design that in so many ways captures and celebrates the influence of our state’s Native American communities.”
The uniform color is turquoise, which is in representation of the 11th anniversary stone and the native’s color for friendship, as well as the team’s 11th season in Oklahoma City, OK. 
The “OKC” on the front of the chest plate of the jersey is also in homage to the Four Corners, all shapes pointing inward to gather at OKC, with the design elements also inspired by the traditional Native regalia.
The belt pattern on the shorts of the uniform is from a traditional Native American sash and is a representation of various individual communities expanding outward, pointing towards, and blending one another. 
The Thunder is slated to wear the “City Edition” uniforms at least six times at Chesapeake Energy Arena this season starting with their Wednesday night, Nov. 14 tilt versus the Knicks. 
The Phoenix Suns over the past few seasons have paid homage to the city’s Hispanic heritage by having “Los Suns” on their jerseys during the month of March. They will continue that with their “City Edition” uniforms for this season. 
The purple, black, orange color scheme palette is inspired by the dusk in the Arizona desert with “Los Suns” across the chest and “Somos PHX” above the back tag at the bottom of the jersey. No date for when the Suns will debut this jersey has been disclosed.
The Portland Trail Blazers shouted out the Pacific Northwest with their 2018-19 “City Edition” uniforms.  
A combination of their primary red and black colors with a special edition gray-on-black color blocking scheme that represents the dark skies when it rains in the city.  
The phrase “Rip City,” which is in red lower-case letters on the chest plate of the jersey was a term coined by Bill Schonely in their inaugural season in 1970 and has grown to represent the spirit of not just the city, but the fans and culture of Portland, OR. 
The iconic jersey sash with red across the chest is a nod to the city’s roses, while the “Blazermania” embroidering at the bottom left of the jersey is an endearing term that describes the unique fandemonium of “Rip City.” 
The uniform also has in a section of the shorts the season when the Trail Blazers began in 1970. 
The PDX nickname on the waistband is a tribute to Portland, OR. The Trail Blazers debut their “City Edition” jerseys in a 100-94 win versus the Celtics (7-6) on Sunday night versus the Boston Celtics at Moda Center.
In keeping with the color scheme that has been a part of their franchise since moving to the capital city of California in 1985 to present day, the Sacramento Kings “City Edition” uniform look that started last season is all about one look. 
The Kings will continue with a “Sactown” look, that will be splashed across the chest plate of the player’s jerseys in a color scheme of baby blue and red, which is different from the lion ball logo that was on the 2017-18 “City Edition” jerseys. 
Along with the uniforms, the Kings will have a “City Edition” inspired court at Golden 1 Center that will feature a “Sactown” baby blue hardwood court that will utilize for select Kings home games.
Over the years the five-time NBA champion San Antonio Spurs have paid homage to the brave men and women of the armed service, especially those that are from their city. 
They will continue that tradition with their “City Edition” unis that will have a silver-and-black color blend consisting of an operational camouflage pattern with the franchise’s Spur insignia printed across the chest plate. 
Last season, the “City Edition” unis of the Utah Jazz centered around a sunset, Red Rock-inspired gradient, which also was the color scheme behind a redesigned court at Vivint Smart Home Arena. 
The team returns that same scheme with their “City Edition” uniforms this season as they pay homage to the majestic rock formation and natural landmarks of Salt Lake City, UT.
Information, statistics, and quotations are courtesy of www.espn.com/nba/standings; 11/1/18 www.nba.com/timberwolves/news story, “Timberwolves Unveil Prince-Inspired City Edition Uniforms;” 11/1/18 www.nba.com/thunder/news story, “Thunder Unveils New Turquoise Uniform Honoring Oklahoma’s Native American Heritage;” 11/8/18 www.nba.com/lakers story “Showtime Inspired City Jerseys;” 11/9/18 www.nba.com story, “City Edition Uniforms: Teams League-Wide Unveil New Looks for 2018-19;” 11/9/18 www.nba.com story, “City Edition Uniforms: Eastern and Western Conference Teams in 2018-19;” 11/9/18 www.theringer.com story, “Every NBA ‘City Edition’ Jersey Should Draw Inspiration from a Pop-Culture Icon,” by Paolo Uggetti; https://news.nike.com/news/nba-city-edition-uniforms-2018-19; https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_(musician); https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-unveil-2018-19-city-edition-uniforms; https://www.nba.com/pistons/news/detroit-pistons-unveil-new-look-nike-city-edition-motor-city-uniforms; https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/city-edition-uniforms-tell-story-speed; https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/team-unveils-new-city-edition-uniform-inspired-by-rocky-creed-films; https://www.nba.com/wizards/district; https://www.mavs.com/city; https://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/denver-nuggets-city-edition-jerseys-110118; https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/main-event#intor-top; and https://www.nba.com/blazers/uniform.     

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