Sometimes, you just need to rant about certain sports topics. But, sometimes ranting can turn into long winded tantrums. And nobody wants to read that. With that, I am pleased to bring you my first “500 Words or Less Rant”.
Earlier this year, an upstart company called Nike took over as the official sporting apparel for the NBA. One of the first moves they initiated was to have the NBA do away with the traditional home and away uniforms, most likely in the hopes of selling more jerseys for the struggling company. Now, home teams have the option of choosing between four different jersey designs, which Nike sees as a potential commercial for every change of the jersey. And I hate it.
The Portland Trail Blazers have played in what seems like their full 41 games at home already (it’s only been 10), yet in only a handful of those games have they worn their mostly white uniforms with the red and black trim. Is it too much to ask of the Blazers to stick to the traditional home and away jerseys?
I don’t know about anyone else, but every time I see the Blazers wear black at home, or white on the road, it looks as though there was a mix up at the laundromat or the team packed the wrong uniforms. And it’s not just the Blazers. I despise seeing the Celtics wear dark green in Boston, or the Kings wearing purple in Sacramento. Or the Lakers wearing any color anywhere. So, please, stop it!
And, it’s not just a visual problem. I have emotional attachments to each color uniform.
What color did the Blazers wear when they played a near perfect quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at home?
When the Blazers folded against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals in 2000, what color did they wear?
More importantly, what color did the Blazers wear at home when they won the 1977 championship?
You can’t just switch up years of visual and emotional investment to a jersey!
Also, did Nike and the NBA even think about the fans on this one? If a fan likes to wear a Damian Lillard jersey to a home game, how is he or she supposed to know what color to wear? I mean, you would look pretty dumb wearing a white jersey, sticking out like a sore thumb because all your favorite players are wearing black. How embarrassing.
I don’t care if the Blazers tinker with the lettering on their uniform, or what that lettering spells out; whether it be “Blazers”, “Portland” or “Rip City”, I don’t care. Just stop messing with colors and where you use them.
Isn’t the world already complicated enough to be confused about which jersey your team is going to wear on any given night? Sure, that’s the Blazers’ logo at mid-court, but if they are at home then why are they wearing road uniforms?
We shouldn’t allow such recklessness on uniform selections. Let’s not embarrass any more fans who unwittingly wore the wrong color jersey to a game. Let’s keep the traditional home and road uniforms. And, while we’re at it, can we straighten up that pinwheel? It’s a little crooked.
That’s better.
