NBA: Probably the Stupidest Measure of NBA Success Ever Written

Ok, so we know it's Revolution 30, we know it's expensive and we know the uniforms look great. But is there a further hidden treat in the uniforms of NBA teams?

Feeling the need to write something a little less serious,

I have gone back a few years to uncover a small and perhaps meaningless pattern of success within the uniforms of NBA teams.

Does it apply to the 2011 Miami Heat?

Check it out and see!

1992 Portland Trailblazers

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

29 Apr 1992: Guard Clyde Drexler of the Portland Trail Blazers moves the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Lakers won the game, 121-119. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport M

Prior to the 1991/92 season, the Portland Trailblazers made some subtle changes to their uniforms. 

That season nearly produced the ultimate prize for Portland, until Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen led the Chicago Bulls to a 4-2 victory in the NBA Finals.

(Note: The Blazers did make the Finals two years prior to this in their older uniform)

1993 Phoenix Suns

Tim DeFrisco/Getty Images

1993: PHOENIX FORWARD CHARLES BARKLEY SHOOTS OVER DENVER FORWARD LAPHONSO ELLIS DURING THE SUNS GAME AGAINST DENVER. Mandatory Credit: Tim Defrisco/ALLSPORT

In 1992/93 Charles Barkley arrived in Phoenix, Richard Dumas was still mildly coherent and Oliver Miller was a starting NBA center.

The Phoenix Suns also switched to this uniform and made the NBA Finals for the first time since 1976.

1996 Seattle Sonics

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

23 Feb 2001: Gary Payton #20 of the Seattle SuperSonics stands on the court during the game against the Utah Jazz at the Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. The Jazz defeated the SuperSonics 96-84. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only r

Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp and Detlef Schrempf were let loose in this uniform for the 1995/96 season.

This year also saw the Sonics make a trip to the NBA Finals but unfortunately for Seattle fans, the Sonics lost in six games.

1997 Utah Jazz

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - APRIL 1: Karl Malone #32 of the Utah Jazz during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on April 1, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The Jazz won 94-89. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by do

The Utah Jazz switched to this funky design in 1997.

That very same year they finally made the NBA Finals.

The uniform does NOT guarantee free throw success however. Sorry Karl.

2000 Los Angeles Lakers

Tom Hauck/Getty Images

19 Jun 2000: Shaquille O''Neal #34 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates on the court during the NBA Finals Game 6 against the Indiana Pacers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Pacers in 116-111. NOTE TO USER: It

The Los Angeles Lakers made some subtle changes to their uniforms in the 1999/2000 season.

While Laker fans were a little divided on the new threads, they were all cheering for a championship when the dust settled in June 2000.

2003 Denver Nuggets

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

DENVER - DECEMBER 22: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on against the Memphis Grizzlies during the game on December 22, 2003 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets won 106-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

After missing the Playoffs for 8 straight seasons, the Denver Nuggets drafted Carmelo Anthony and changed to these fresh looking uniforms for the 2003/04 season.

The result? Denver haven't missed the Playoffs since.

2008 Boston Celtics

Ok, this one is a stretch.

The 2007/08 Boston Celtics played a pre-season game in Italy.

With the "BOSTON" lettering on the front of their jerseys representing an Italian flag, this was certainly something different. 

That being said, (and in the spirit of this "creative" slideshow) the Celtics went on to win the NBA Championship that season.

2009 Orlando Magic

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic reacts in the third quarter of Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers on June 14, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

For the 2008/2009 season, the Orlando Magic debuted this uniform and made a trip to the NBA Finals that very year.

It wasn't enough to claim the title however but it was close.

Who Will It Be In 2011?

The Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz have all made significant changes to their uniforms this season.

Let's face it, none of these teams are going to the NBA Finals.

The only remote possibility is the Chicago Bulls, who are celebrating the 20 year anniversary of their first championship.

But that's a bigger stretch than the Boston Celtics slide.

Thanks for reading.

-Coach.

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