Off-Day Open Thread: Magic Rumored to Undergo Another Uniform Change Next Season

by Evan Dunlap on Mar 29, 2008 10:29 AM EDT in Off-Day Open Thread

Paul Lukas of Uni Watch is about as well-connected a blogger can get. And his sources tell him the Magic are changing their uniforms next season:

A little birdie tells me that the following NBA teams will have new home and road uniforms next season: the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Magic, Kings, and Hornets, plus the Bucks will be getting a new alternate design

Great scoop, Paul. But it's a terrible idea.

I'm a big believer in the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" axiom. And the Magic's current uniform ain't broke:

Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, Keith Bogans, and Jameer Nelson of the Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, Keith Bogans, and Jameer Nelson in the Orlando Magic's current white home uniforms.
Photo by Fernando Medina, NBAE/Getty Images

Classy. Conservative. Emblematic of the team's attitude. My love for the pinstriped uniforms of yesteryear has more to do with nostalgia than with actual aesthetic value; the typeface was obnoxious and called attention to itself, and the pinstripe motif was the uniform's only redeeming feature. To be honest, it was immature:

Penny Hardaway of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball in an NBA basketball game

Penny Hardaway in the Magic's pinstriped white home uniforms of yesteryear.
File photo by Chris O'Meara, the Associated Press

All that said, this news shouldn't really surprise anyone. Next season marks our 20th anniversary in the league, and we have a habit of changing uniform designs in anniversary years: we went from pinstripes to dazzle fabric in 1998, and from dazzle fabric to the current block typeface in 2003. The whole thing smacks of greed -- Are you ready to break the bank for new jerseys and t-shirts? -- and I don't like it one bit.

And some questions to prompt discussion:

Which Magic uniform is your favorite? Why?
Do you approve of the Magic's rumored decision to change uniforms once again? Why or why not?
What current, non-Magic NBA uniform is your favorite? Why?
The Magic haven't had an alternate uniform -- one to wear on holidays or on nationally televised road games, for instance -- since the pinstriped era. Should they try to add one to their new wardrobe after the mandated two-year waiting period?

I have some answers in mind, but I'd like to hear from you first. So let's talk. And enjoy your weekend.

Huge hat-tip to MME, who runs Bold 'n' Blue, for bringing this tidbit to the attention of all the MagicMadness posters.

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Comments

Thanks!

Thanks for the hat-tip BQR!

Well for me, I really love the black pinstripes as most people would agree with. It just looks classy, sharp, and black is a good color for jerseys. It stands out well.

I definitley "approve" of the rumored uni change because I think it can only help the team and the franchise. It helps by keeping the buzz around the team and keeps the fans wanting to buy the merchandise.

I have a few favorite non-Magic unis. One of them is this Celtics jersey: http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000LFVYVS.01-AT26F6GZJEB06._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

I think it is also a good idea to have an alternate jersey, like you mentioned. It would be a nice switch-up from the same old, same old thing we see game in and game out. Plus, if we bring back the pinstripes maybe we can have some of that great success like we did wearing them last season.

Also, since we are on this jersey topic... here is the link to the EA Sports Jersey Creator where you can make your own jerseys: http://www.easports.com/nbalive08/jerseycreator.jsp

by MagicManEvan on Mar 29, 2008 12:44 PM EDT reply actions

Unis

-I will say my favorite uniforms are the current batch. The stars in the old logo are kind of cheesy and I like the no nonsense look you get from the current batch. They are plain to a fault though, and don't do enough to separate themselves from anyone else.

-Yes. As long as they make the right decisions design wise I think change is always good.

-My favorite uniforms are those of the Suns. I think they are great in how they combine sport with style. Obviously this would be the model I'd hope for if the Magic change things up.

-Yes, they should. I think it should be something crazy that's risky and eye popping. Maybe bring back the stars, use some unorthodox colors or design, and just try and hit a homerun with out being overly cautious. I love the color red, so that, black, and grey could be made into something.

by Eyriq the Red on Mar 29, 2008 4:08 PM EDT reply actions

New Colors?

I'm going to be really surprised if the Magic totally change color schemes, but I assume it could be a possibility. Cleveland did it not too long ago. I'm a fan of the current jerseys but and away/alternate Black jersey would look pretty sweet.

by nothinbutnick56 on Mar 29, 2008 8:40 PM EDT reply actions