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Monday Tip-Off: 20 Classic Jerseys I Want to See in NBA 2K

Monday Tip-Off: 20 Classic Jerseys I Want to See in NBA 2K

We’re at midcourt, and the ball is about to go up…it’s Monday Tip-Off! Join me as I begin the week here at the NLSC with my opinions and commentary on basketball gaming topics, as well as tales of the fun I’ve been having on the virtual hardwood. This week, I’m tipping things off with suggestions for 20 classic jerseys that I’d like to see added in future NBA 2K games.

NBA 2K has an impressive array of classic jerseys. It’s yet another example of how the series has gone above and beyond with extra content, especially when compared to recent NBA Live titles. Of course, NBA Live once included a large range of classic jerseys, even bringing them back in NBA Live 10 after they fell by the wayside in the seventh generation releases. Unfortunately, recent NBA Lives have only included the throwbacks that will be worn on Hardwood Classics Nights during the season they’re set in. Conversely, NBA 2K’s selection of retro uniforms is extremely comprehensive.

With that being said, it’s definitely not complete. As of NBA 2K22, there are several classic jerseys that are still missing from the selection of retros. I’m not just talking about short-lived alternates or special event jerseys, though I’d certainly love to see them added as well. There are some prominent uniforms, including primary home and away jerseys, that haven’t yet been featured in NBA 2K. Now, the selection that we currently have is great, minor inaccuracies aside. Many eras are accounted for, and some teams are fairly close to complete, at least when it comes to primary uniforms. Nevertheless, I’d love to see future NBA 2K games add these 20 classic jerseys.

Los Angeles Clippers 90s Jerseys

90s Los Angeles Clippers Jerseys in NBA Live 2000

Alright, so there weren’t too many successful Los Angeles Clippers teams that sported this particular uniform. I’m not against unorthodox additions to the selection of retro teams, but I’ll freely admit that it’s difficult to make a compelling case for most of the Clippers squads from the 90s. I will advocate for their uniforms to be added to the selection of classic jerseys in NBA 2K though, as the 90s designs are one of the few Clippers retros that aren’t already included. Despite their lack of success, some great players wore those jerseys, including Danny Manning, Ron Harper, Mark Jackson, Kiki Vandeweghe, and even Dominique Wilkins for half a season back in 1994.

Dallas Mavericks “Trash Bag” Jersey

Steve Nash in the Trash Bag Jersey (NBA Live 2004)

I know, I know. It’d be a controversial inclusion, because these are some of the most hated jerseys in the history of any franchise. At the same time, they’re nostalgic in their own way. Fans are also developing more of an appreciation for them thanks to photos that show them in better lighting and without being drenched in sweat, which made them look like wet garbage bags. As it stands, the jersey has only ever made one official video game appearance, back in NBA Live 2004. Sure, the Mavs only wore it once and it’d probably take some convincing to get Mark Cuban to sign off on it, but I believe their infamy would make them a fun addition to NBA 2K’s classic jerseys.

Atlanta Hawks Mid 90s Jerseys

Dominique Wilkins dunks on Michael Jordan (NBA 2K12)

Everyone remembers the Atlanta Hawks jerseys from the 80s, in no small part thanks to Dominique Wilkins and his high-flying exploits. The late 90s Hawks uniforms are also remembered, and Pistol Pete’s jersey from the 70s has been a popular throwback. From 1992 to 1995, the Hawks sported another design that often flies under the radar, including a black alternate worn exclusively during the 1995 season. Outside of mods, it’s never been in any video games, which is why I’d love to see it join the selection of classic jerseys in NBA 2K. Like the 90s Clippers jerseys, some big names briefly wore these uniforms, including the aforementioned Nique and Danny Manning.

Houston Rockets Late 2000s Alternate Jersey

Tracy McGrady in NBA Live 10

Obviously there’s a screenshot there to remind you exactly which jersey I’m talking about, but if I’d said “the Houston Rockets’ McDonalds jersey”, I’m sure many of you would’ve been able to picture it immediately. Although the alternate jersey was meant to be a throwback to the uniforms the Rockets wore during their back-to-back titles in the 90s, the shade of yellow evoked more memories of the famous fast food franchise. It’s still a memorable design though, and was sported by Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. Considering that there are some other short-lived alternates of debatable classic status among the classic jerseys in NBA 2K, I’d suggest this is a worthy candidate.

New Jersey Nets Grey Alternate Jersey

New Jersey Nets Alternate Jersey in NBA Live 2003

No matter where they’ve called home, the Nets have sported a number of fine jerseys throughout their existence. Several of them are already among the classic jerseys in NBA 2K, but one that you won’t find is their grey (or gray) alternate uniform. There are actually two versions of this jersey, with the second design changing the colour of the numbers and wordmark. Either version would be fine, though if I had to choose, I’d suggest the second. It’s the one that was worn during Jason Kidd’s tenure in New Jersey, an era in which they made back-to-back NBA Finals appearances. Notably, they wore them during their 2002 clash with the Lakers, adding to their memorability.

Utah Jazz Mid-to-Late 2000s Alternate Jersey

Classic Jerseys: Jazz 2000s Alternate (NBA Live 07)

If you’re looking to place these jerseys in your memories of the real NBA, think back to the second round series against the “We Believe” Warriors in the 2007 Playoffs. I do prefer the jerseys that the Jazz wore from 1996 through to 2004, which ended up being accompanied by a memorable alternate in its own right. The re-branding in the mid 2000s was still good though, and their alternate uniform – a light blue variant of their away jersey – also stands out. While we’re on the subject, the 2007 Jazz featuring Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams wouldn’t be a bad choice for the roster of retro teams. After all, if you’re going to include the team, their jerseys will be there, too.

New Orleans-Oklahoma City Jerseys

New Orleans-Oklahoma City Hornets Jersey in NBA Live 08

As you may recall, following Hurricane Katrina, the then-New Orleans Hornets were displaced from their regular home. They temporarily took up residence in Oklahoma City, and were subsequently named the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. They played most of their home games in Oklahoma City, modifying their home uniform to feature a “Hornets” wordmark rather than “New Orleans”, with an OKC patch on the shoulder. The patch was also on the road uniform, though it kept the New Orleans wordmark. For their last game in OKC, they wore a special uniform paying tribute to their temporary home. I’d like to see both the regular jerseys and special jersey added.

New Orleans-Oklahoma City Valentine’s Day Jersey

Oklahoma City Valentine's Day Jersey in NBA Live 10

While we’re on the subject of the then-Hornets, now-Pelicans’ brief tenure in OKC following Hurricane Katrina, I’ll suggest another addition to NBA 2K’s array of classic jerseys. The red Valentine’s Day jersey was worn just once – on Valentine’s Day, obviously – in 2007. It was done in aid of the American Heart Association, who received the proceeds of the jerseys being auctioned off after the game. It’s only made one official appearance in video games, where it was a surprising inclusion among the classic jerseys in NBA Live 10. You know how much I love the interactive almanac aspect of basketball video games, and it’d be a great way to celebrate a rare uniform.

Charlotte Hornets Late 90s Jerseys

Late 90s Charlotte Hornets Jerseys in NBA Live 2001

Before we move on from the Hornets, let’s talk about the franchise that has since reclaimed the history from that first run in Charlotte, and combined it with that of the Bobcats. In NBA 2K, the classic jerseys for the current Charlotte Hornets include the original uniforms, and a couple of Bobcats throwbacks. I wouldn’t be against their entire history of jerseys being featured in NBA 2K, but if I had to pick just one era, I’d nominate the late 90s. They’re similar in design to the original uniforms, but added a purple trim, and double pinstripes. They’re also synonymous with the ascension of Glen Rice as a perennial All-Star: a short but memorable era in the team’s history.

Golden State Warriors Late 90s Jerseys

Golden State Warriors Thunderbolt Jerseys in NBA Live 2000

Although a very similar design is already available among the classic jerseys in NBA 2K, for the sake of completeness, I’d like to see the original version from the late 90s be added as well. The second version of the jersey, which lasted until the Warriors returned to their more traditional branding in 2010, is admittedly the cleaner design. That first version featuring the thunderbolt down the side is special though, as it’s a reflection of how some of the new uniforms of the time were looking to eschew the traditional designs for something more creative. Those jerseys also debuted in the 1998 season – a year that I’m quite nostalgic for – so there’s definitely some bias here.

First Brooklyn Nets Jerseys

Kevin Garnett in Brooklyn (NBA 2K14)

This may seem redundant considering the Brooklyn Nets’ jerseys haven’t changed much since Nike took over the uniform contract. There are some minor differences though, and other teams with similar branding – such as the Golden State Warriors – have their pre-Nike uniforms among the classic jerseys in NBA 2K. While I’d say that the New Jersey Nets had superior branding, there is something I like about the simple designs of the Brooklyn era. They also wore those original Brooklyn jerseys during a memorable attempt at creating a super team with aging stars including Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Joe Johnson, Deron Williams, Andrei Kirilenko, and Jason Terry.

Orlando Magic Late 2000s/Early 2010s Jerseys

Dwight Howard Dunks (NBA Live 10)

In that same vein, the Orlando Magic’s classic jerseys in NBA 2K are missing the pre-Nike version of their contemporary pinstripe design. As with the Brooklyn Nets, there isn’t a huge difference, but for the sake of completeness and authenticity, I’d like NBA 2K to feature the version without the Nike “swoosh” and current advertising patch. It may also be an incentive to add one of the late 2000s Dwight Howard Magic teams to the roster of retro squads. And if you’re going to do that, it only makes sense to add a team like the 2009 Los Angeles Lakers, who defeated them in the Finals. It’s a lower priority as far as classic jersey additions, but I like the idea of a complete selection.

Cleveland Cavaliers Late 90s/Early 2000s Jerseys

Shawn Kemp on the Cavaliers in NBA Live 2000

There are actually two jerseys missing between the era of the first “wave” uniform for the Cavs, and the new design they adopted for LeBron James’ rookie year. A second version of the “wave” jersey was worn for a couple of years in the late 90s, before a short-lived plainer design was introduced for the 2000 season. Now, for the sake of completion, I wouldn’t be against the addition of both. However, given the similarity of the “wave” jerseys, it would be understandable if they omitted the second version in favour of adding variety via the one worn from 1999-2000 to 2002-2003. They still encompass the Shawn Kemp era in Cleveland, albeit on the downside of his career.

Philadelphia 76ers Mid 90s Jerseys

Allen Iverson in NBA Live 97 PC

Along with the Atlanta Hawks uniforms from the mid 90s, these throwbacks for the Philadelphia 76ers are among the most frustrating and puzzling omissions from the classic jerseys in NBA 2K. Admittedly they didn’t last long either, being sandwiched between the equally short-lived stars jersey of the early 90s, and another re-brand in 1997. They were the uniforms that original NBA 2K cover player Allen Iverson wore during his rookie season though, so they’d be worthy additions to the classic jerseys. Incidentally, the uniforms introduced in 1997 underwent minor changes a couple of years later, yet the original version is erroneously labelled ’97-’07 in NBA 2K.

Utah Jazz Late 90s/Early 2000s Alternate Jersey

Forgotten Cover Players: Raul Lopez (NBA Live 2004)

Debuting in the lockout season of 1999, the Utah Jazz alternate that I alluded to above was rather interesting. It didn’t match their contemporary home and away jerseys, nor was it a throwback to any previous designs. Notably, Raul Lopez wore the jerseys in his appearance on the Spanish NBA Live 2004 cover. Not that that’s something NBA 2K would want to celebrate, but nevertheless, it’d be cool to see this unique alternate added to the game’s classic jerseys. In a way, it’s an early example of the City Edition jersey concepts that we’ve come to see in recent years. Indeed, the Jazz have revisited the idea of utilising orange in their City jerseys, as first explored by this alternate.

Chicago Stags Jerseys

Chicago Stags Jersey in NBA Live 06

I’m actually surprised that we didn’t see this as a bonus in NBA 2K22, given that it’s set in the NBA’s 75th Anniversary season. Although the Chicago Stags – runners-up in the very first BAA Finals – have no lineage with any modern teams, the Bulls have previously worn their throwbacks, much as the Toronto Raptors have worn the jerseys of the Huskies. The Stags’ uniforms are an “interesting” design, featuring a red singlet with blue and white numbers and lettering, and matching blue shorts. They’re worth including for the history alone however, and again, the Bulls have previously worn them in tribute to the first NBA/BAA team to have hailed from the Windy City.

Miami Floridians Jerseys

Floridians Jerseys in NBA Live 06

Once again, this is a team – from the ABA this time – that has no lineage with a modern NBA club. However, the Floridians’ distinctive jerseys – both the home and away uniforms – have been worn by the Heat at different times in their history. As such, there are a couple of games where they are selectable retros. As of NBA 2K22 though, they’re not available alongside the Heat’s own classic jerseys. We may never see fully-fledged ABA retro teams in NBA 2K, which is a shame in its own right. The league was very influential on the NBA with the merger being a major factor in its evolution and success, so it’d be nice to see more ABA representation in NBA 2K.

Original Celtics Jersey

Original Celtics Jersey in NBA Live 2005

The Boston Celtics have no connection to the Original Celtics – a barnstorming team from New York – aside from sharing a name. However, a couple of NBA Live games back in the 2000s included an Original Celtics jersey among the available uniforms for the Beantown team. This was purely a video game bonus, as Boston never wore an Original Celtics jersey as a tribute. To that end though, I wouldn’t mind seeing NBA 2K do the same, paying tribute to those basketball pioneers by adding their retro to the collection of classic Celtics jerseys. It’d be something different to outfit them with, as well as give your squad a very old school aesthetic if it were available in MyTEAM.

Indiana Pacers 70s Jerseys

Indiana Pacers ABA Jerseys in NBA Live 06

Another former ABA team, the Indiana Pacers’ classic jerseys in NBA 2K comprise a pleasingly comprehensive history of their NBA tenure. There are a few designs from the late 70s and early 80s that could feasibly be added, though they’re not among their best or most popular designs. A retro that I would suggest adding to the current crop of classic jerseys in NBA 2K is their early 70s uniform from their ABA days. There are a couple of designs to choose from there, but I’m specifically talking about the one pictured above. It’s probably their most well-known 70s retro thanks to its appearance in previous games, and it obviously influenced the design of their current jerseys.

Fort Wayne Pistons Jerseys

Classic Pistons Jersey in NBA Live 16

Since we’re talking about teams from Indiana, let’s wrap up with a team that began there, but is now in Detroit. For those who aren’t aware, the Pistons were founded in Fort Wayne, originally named the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons, and later just the Fort Wayne Pistons. They’re one of the oldest teams in the league, predating the NBA and BAA, being founded in 1937 as a semi-pro team. They later joined the NBL, then the BAA, and finally joined the NBA when the BAA and NBL merged. The Pistons have previously worn Fort Wayne throwbacks in a few games during the 50th Anniversary season back in 1997. Considering the historical significance, it’d be a nice addition.

I’ll leave the list at an even 20, but there are other uniforms that I’d like to see added to the classic jerseys in NBA 2K. What are some of the retros that you’d like 2K to add? Personally, while I understand the approach that EA Sports took with throwbacks in NBA Live 18 and NBA Live 19, having a large selection of retro uniforms is a far better solution. It’s an approach that’s allowed us to stage our own throwback nights, with a wide choice spanning multiple eras. There are more important improvements and additions of course, and they should be a higher priority. However, as far as extra content is concerned, classic jerseys definitely rank among the most desirable.

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Pep
Pep
February 16, 2022 10:31 pm

Great choices! Some of those jerseys (Nets silver, Floridians, Pacers 70’s, Cavs 00’s, Jazz Baby Blue) were in 2k back in a day and I don’t know why they cut them. I’d also like to see this: https://nbajerseydatabase.tumblr.com/post/618339540653015040/minneapolis-lakers-1958-1960 this https://nbajerseydatabase.tumblr.com/post/627555570131566592/indiana-pacers-1974-1976 and this https://nbajerseydatabase.tumblr.com/post/623753895363166208/new-york-nets-1968-1969

And for Clippers and Hawks I wish nike bring them back in real life as a classic, very underrated uniforms.

P.S: Silver Nets had also a third versions similar to this from photo but with triangle inside a collar.