The Search For Style: Ranking The NBA's Best Uniforms, 30 To 1

As I watched New Orleans unveil their new yellow 'NOLA' jerseys recently, I got to thinking; which NBA team really sports the best uniforms in the league? In the last three and a half years, 16 of the 30 teams in the association have either changed their uniforms or added an alternate jersey. At least for over half the NBA, looking "fly" seems to be fairly important. But which team looks the most "fly?"

30. New Jersey Nets

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - FEBRUARY 23: Courtney Lee #6 of the New Jersey Nets looks on against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Izod Center on February 23, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.The Blazers defeated the Nets 102-93.NOTE TO USER: User expressly

The Nets aren't the best team in the league, and their jerseys aren't any better. They've been trotting out on the court in the same unappealing jerseys for seemingly the entire time their franchise has existed, and they're not getting any better. 

29. Golden State Warriors

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PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 10: Stephen Curry #30 the Golden State Warriors reacts during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on February 10, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 112-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressl

This look reminds me of elementary school ball. It just looks bad. 

28. Milwaukee Bucks

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 04: John Salmons #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks argues with the officials during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 4, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d

The Bucks' jerseys feature an unappealing shade of green that just makes them boring and busy. 

27. Utah Jazz

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 21: Francisco Elson # 16 of the Utah Jazz loses control of the ball in the second half against the Boston Celtics on January 21, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Jazz 110-86. NOTE TO USER: Use

If you're going to change your look, you should probably make it better. The Jazz shifted back to their classic look this year, and its not working out for them, style-wise, anyways. 

26. New York Knicks

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 09: Timofey Mozgov #25 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers at Madison Square Garden on February 9, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadi

Some of the most plain jerseys in the league. If the Knicks land Melo, I recommend an immediate uniform change to start their new era of success in style. 

25. San Antonio Spurs

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 03: Tim Duncan #21 and Antonio McDyess #34 of the San Antonio Spurs react to a basket along with a foul against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on February 3, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expres

Boring design, boring colors, boring everything. 

24. Phoenix Suns

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 30: Zabian Dowdell #22 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game against the New Orleans Hornets at US Airways Center on January 30, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Hornets 104-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknow

They're OK, but nothing special. 

23. Chicago Bulls

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 28: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls leaps to pass against the Orlando Magic at the United Center on January 28, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Magic 99-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Yes, they're the classic Bulls Jordan-era jerseys, but they are a bit tired and boring. 

22. Cleveland Cavaliers

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 31: Anthony Parker #18 of the Cleveland Cavaliers brings the ball up the floor during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 31, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agree

I like the simple, classy colors, but they're still nothing special. Definitely a step up from the Lebron-era unis, though. 

21. Washington Wizards

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 24: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards dribbles the court against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 24, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/

The stripe on just one side is pretty cool, and the Wizards font is pretty slick, too. 

20. Boston Celtics

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BOSTON - FEBRUARY 13: Von Wafer #12 of the Boston Celtics reacts after scoring against the Miami Heat at TD Garden on February 13, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics won 85-82. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloa

The classic C's uniforms, with the classic shade of green and shamrock clover on the belt. Classy and memorable. 

19. Indiana Pacers

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 19: Darren Collison #2 of the Indiana Pacers in action against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 19, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or u

Some people think they're just copies of the Lakers jerseys, but that doesn't mean they're bad. 

18. Miami Heat

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BOSTON - FEBRUARY 13: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat reacts when an official failed to call a foul against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 13, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics won 85-82. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

LeBron's got his old team beat in another category, too. 

17. Toronto Raptors

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Jose Calderon #8 of the Toronto Raptors shouts as he brings the ball up the court against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 5, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 108-102. NOTE TO USER: Use

The Raptors' success may have left with Bosh, but they're swag didn't. 

16. Houston Rockets

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 10: Chase Budinger #10 of the Houston Rockets celebrates his three point shot in the first half against the Boston Celtics on January 10, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

The Rockets round out the bottom half with their original, sleek uniforms. 

15. Memphis Grizzlies

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 02: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts after making a shot against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Staples Center on January 2, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Grizzlies defeated the Lakers 104

Memphis has some of the most modern jerseys in the Association. They're good-looking, but maybe a tad busy. 

14. New Orleans Hornets

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 22: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets drives the ball up the court during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the New Orleans Arena on January 22, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Spurs 96-7

Their NOLA unis are their best, but their others aren't too bad either. 

13. Portland Trail Blazers

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 14: Andre Miller #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers in action during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on January 14, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Trail Blazers 115-111. NOTE TO USER: User

The Blazers definitely have the most original jerseys in the league, but maybe not the best. 

12. Philadelphia 76ers

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 06: Louis Williams #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a free throw against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 6, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by download

The Sixers did two years ago what the Jazz did this year, going back to their classic style. The difference is it worked out for them in the style department. 

11. Detroit Pistons

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AUBURN HILLS, MI - FEBRUARY 11: Will Bynum #12 of the Detroit Pistons look for a pass next to Mario Chalmers #15 at The Palace of Auburn Hills on February 11, 2011 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Miami won the game 106-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

Detroit has not only classic jerseys, but some of the best looking. A lot of sports teams are red and blue, but the Pistons are combine them in one of the best ways of any. 

10. Sacremento Kings

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 14: Francisco Garcia #32 of the Sacramento Kings reacts during the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 14, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo

The Kings modernized their jerseys recently, and I think its a big improvement. The sleek look is one of the best in the league. 

9. Oklahoma City Thunder

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JANUARY 30: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ford Center on January 30, 2011 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is

Their style is classic but their color combination is slick and modern. It's a perfect combination. 

8. Minnesota Timberwolves

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PHOENIX - DECEMBER 15: Corey Brewer #22 and Michael Beasley #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves block out Grant Hill #33 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on December 15, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Timberwol

The Wolves changed their look two years ago, and then changed them again before this season, making them a little more simple. The second change wasn't much of an improvement, but they're still pretty cool looking anyway.  

7. Charlotte Bobcats

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 15: Gerald Henderson #15 of the Charlotte Bobcats dunks the ball against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on February 15, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and

Charlotte went with an Orlando-like pinstripe look when they changed their uniforms a couple years back. They didn't quite pull it off as well as the Magic, but they're pretty nice looking anyway. 

6. Los Angles Lakers

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 03: Pau Gasol #16, Andrew Bynum #17, Kobe Bryant #24 and Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers head to the bench after a time out trailing the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at Staples Center on February 3, 2011 i

They're classy and simple, and fans love them.  

5. Orlando Magic

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ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 03: (L-R) Guard Gilbert Arenas #1, Guard Jameer Nelson #14, Center Dwight Howard #12 and Forward Earl Clark #3 of the Orlando Magic line against the Miami Heat at Amway Arena on February 3, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: Us

They've got a great lineup of pinstripe uniforms that are both classy and modern. It doesn't get much better. 

4. Denver Nuggets

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 10: Chauncey Billups #1 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on February 10, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Mavericks 121-120. NOTE TO USER: U

The Nuggets tweaked their uniforms this year, and just by changing the material and outlining the words and stripes in black, it made them much more stylish. 

3. Atlanta Hawks

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ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 12: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after hitting a three-point basket against the Charlotte Bobcats at Philips Arena on February 12, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, b

Their red ATL jerseys are their best, and they've got a good supporting cast of white and blue jerseys as well. Their modern style is close to the best. 

2. Dallas Mavericks

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 10: Deshawn Stevenson #92 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during a break in the action against the Denver Nuggets during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on February 10, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Mavericks 12

Dallas changed their away jerseys for the better this year, making them one of the most stylish in the league. 

1. Los Angles Clippers

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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 06: Forward Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on February 6, 2011 in Miami, Florida. The Heat defeated the Clippers 97-79. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

The Clippers debuted these jerseys along with Blake Griffin on opening day this year, and their team has been getting better ever since. These jerseys are modern, sleek, and, if I may say, fly.