This may come as a shock to some of you, but chances are your clothes from the ’90s are outdated and won’t look cool in 2016. It’s okay, it happens to everyone. The times are always changing and trends can fall out of style before you can blink. Sometimes that’s for the better. In most cases, it’s for the better.
In the NBA, however, there are some clothing choices that should never have been changed, namely some specific jerseys. The decision to upgrade is understandable, but some of the jerseys rolled out in the ’90s weren’t just clothes, they were pieces of art. They were timeless, as evident by people still clamoring to get their hands on them to this day.
In honor of ’90s night, here are our top five ’90s NBA jerseys.
Seattle Supersonics (1985-1995)
What’s not to like about these jerseys? They are clean, the color scheme works, and it’s hard to not associate the Payton-to-Kemp alley-oops with these jerseys. Simple and fun is a hard design to beat.
Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-2000)
You are free to disagree with this selection, but come on. These jerseys are wild, though. Using a block type that screams “Survivor” and somehow blending turquoise, red, bronze and black is nothing short of amazing. Plus, look at how terrifying that grizzly bear looks holding the ball. You’re not going to want to drive through the paint against it. You’d get clawed up easily.
Orlando Magic (1989-1998)
It’s pretty simple. Pinstripes are excellent. The stars on this jersey aren’t overbearing, the pinstripes are cool, the font is fun, and PINSTRIPES.
Toronto Raptors (1995-1999)
The dinosaur is a classic look. The vertical “stripes” just put it over the top. The purple, red and black somehow tie it all together. It’s crazy and wonderful.
Milwaukee Bucks (1995-1999)
Oh did you think we would forget these gems? Not a chance. Green and purple together again, with a full-bodied Buck across the front? Yes, please. These jerseys were brought back for the NBA Hardwood Classics series during the 2012-13 season. There were two types of reactions to the revival of this alternate: those who loved it and thought they were awesome and those whose opinions were incorrect.