Evolution of NBA Team Logos

I recently decided to browse over the timeline of NBA logos for each active franchise and astoundingly there are so many moments that popped in my head.

For instance: When I gaze at the Utah Jazz logo that existed from 1996-2004, I can’t help but think of John Stockton and Karl Malone and their unforgettable NBA Finals clashes with the Chicago Bulls in 1997 and 1998.

The Atlanta Hawks emblem from 1972-1995 definitely reminds me of the days of Dominique Wilkins, while the Detroit Pistons symbol from 1979-1996 undoubtedly prompts me to think of Isiah Thomas and the Bad Boys of the late 1980’s.

It’s also astonishing the transformations that certain teams have made over the years to their image.

For example: The Houston Rockets have made significant alterations to their logo the five different times they have changed it. It’s fascinating that after they captured their second consecutive NBA championship in 1995, the Rockets decided to completely refurbish their exterior.

It’s also attention-grabbing that despite having such rich tradition, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have combined to showcase 10 different logos throughout history.

In 2010-11, the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz all released new logos. Last year, the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards did the same and most recently it was the Brooklyn Nets, who relocated from New Jersey, and Charlotte Bobcats to claim new designs.

Next season with the decision to change their team name from the Hornets to the Pelicans, New Orleans will carry a new logo.

If the Kings do indeed move from Sacramento to Seattle, it will be interesting to see if they use the same exact logo that existed before the Sonics moved to Oklahoma City or if they create a brand new look.

I have pasted in every franchise’s primary logo timeline below.

Also, make sure you visit SportsLogos.Net for a glance at every logo for every sport from the past and present.

Graphics courtesy SportsLogos.Net

1949-51	1951-1955	1955-1957	1957-1968	1968/69	1969/70
1970-1972	1972-1995	1995-2007	2007-Pres
1946-1950	1950-1960	1960-1968	1968-1978	1978-1995	1995-Pres
1968-1972	1972-1977	1977/78	1978-1990	1990-1997	1997-2012
2012-Pres
2004-2007	2007-2012	2012-Pres
1966-Pres
1970-1983	1983-1994	1994-2003	2003-2010	2010-Pres
1980-2001	2001-Pres
1976-1981	1981-1993	1993-2003	2003-2008	2008-Pres
1941-1948	1948-1957	1957-1971	1971-1975	1975-1979	1979-1996
1996-2001	2001-2005	2005-Pres
1946-1951	1951-1962	1962-1969	1969-1971	1971/72	1971-1975
1975-1978	1988-1997	1997-2010	2010-Pres
1967-1971	1971/72	1972-1995	1995-2003	2003-Pres
1967-1976	1976-1990	1990-2005	2005-Pres
1970/71	1971-1978	1978-1982	1982-1984	1984-2010	2010-Pres
1947-1960	1960-1976	1976-2001	2001-Pres
1995-2001	2001-2004	2004-Pres
1988-1999	1999-Pres
1968-1993	1996-2006	2006-Pres
1989-1996	1996-2008	2008-Pres
1988/89	1989-2002	2002-2008	2008-2013	2013-Pres
1946-1964	1964-1976	1976-1992	1992-1995	1995-2011	2011-Pres
1967-1970	1970/71	1971-1975	1975-1995	1995-2001	2001-2008
2008-Pres
1989-2000	2000-2010	2010-Pres
1946-1949	1949-1963	1963-1977	1977-1997	1997-2009	2009-Pres
1968-1992	1992-2000	2000-Pres
1970-1990	1990-2002	2002/03	2003/04	2004-Pres
1945-1957	1957-1971	1971/72	1972-1975	1975-1985	1985-1994
1994-Pres
1976-1989	1989-2002	2002-Pres
1995-2008	2008-Pres
1974-1979	1979-1996	1996-2004	2004-2010	2010-Pres
1963-1969	1969-1973	1973-74	1974-1987	1987-1997	1997-2007
2007-2011	2011-Pres