Graduation for the latest models of Nike City uniforms

When Nike became the outfitter on the NBA field last season, each team was awarded at least four uniforms: white and colored primary patterns, as well as two replacements – the "Statement" and "City" motifs. ". It is expected that each team will get a new uniform of the city each season and the batch of this season is now beginning to be unveiled.

Many of these designs have already leaked in recent weeks, but for now, we will stick to those that have been officially revealed by their respective teams. We go from the best to the worst:

Denver Nuggets

Finally, the long-awaited return of rainbow design. Everyone will like that. The bands seem to be a little faded or faded on the ground, but wait to see what they look like under the bright lights of the arena. Grade: A

Oklahoma City Thunder

For years, Nike's N7 initiative commemorates every November month of Native American Heritage Month by producing turquoise uniforms for some college basketball programs. Now, the Thunder are about to become the first team in the NBA to wear a turquoise uniform in the colors of Native Americans, and it's a beauty. Bonus points to give such a clean design to a team with one of the most bland visual profiles in the league. additional information right here and here. Grade: A

Brooklyn nets

The Nets have the most limited color palette in the league – just black and white – so it's a stroke of genius to outfit them with a stunning quilt of multicolored trimmings. The design refers to the favorite Coogi sweatshirts of the late rapper Biggie Smalls – from Brooklyn. Good concept, good execution. Grade: A-

Philadelphia 76ers

Gray uniforms are an unfortunate trend in the world of basketball. They almost always look drab, but this new Sixers University – which refers to the gray sweats Sylvester Stallone wore in Rocky movies – is better than most other gray models. The blue and red trim adds touches of essential color that prevent the whole case from looking like dirty laundry, and the brand of the chest is beautifully simple. Of course, it would be even better with a white, blue or red uniform, but maybe they can follow that path next season. Additional information here. Grade: B +

Minnesota Timberwolves

In case you can not find out more about Biggie and Rocky uniforms, Nike loves mixing sport with pop culture. This is the story of the new look of the Timberwolves, which is based on "Purple Rain", the flagship album of 1984, directed by the hero of his hometown, Prince (who turned out to be a good basketball player ). Even a confirmed purple hater, like your friendly editorialist in uniform, has to admit that it's a smart idea, which has the added benefit of not presenting the team's sweeping nuance of green fluo. Grade: B +

Chicago Bulls

Everyone loves the flag of the city of Chicago. But do they like it in black? We will know soon enough. Category B

Detroit Pistons

Gee, a black alternative uniform – what an original idea! It is not as original as using strips that give the impression that the player is crushed by a truck. Grade: C

Charlotte Hornets

Gee, a black alternative uniform – what an original idea! The lettering of the chest should be replaced by "Buzzkill". Grade: C

Orlando Magic

Gee, a black alternative uniform – do you feel a pattern here? At least, black is an official color of the Magic team, which is more than can say the Hornets or Pistons. The design also features a night sky pattern on the sides ("to encourage and inspire fans to" reach the stars "", according to the team's website), which is more than anything. what other team can say. Fortunately. Grade: C-

In short: a mixed bag. But as each team will have a new City uniform every season, even the best models will only be available for one season. On the other hand, we will also have to suffer the worst designs for a season only, although there is no indication that these teams will be better off next time than this time.

And that's really the problem with the Nike NBA uniform program: There are too many drawings. This is particularly true for the City program, whose annual carousel of uniforms seems unsustainable. How many pop culture references can franchises like Minnesota or Philadelphia have? How many teams will just pull out a black drawing and call it a day? How long before it becomes clear that many teams are already scratching the bottom of the creative barrel?

Speaking of which: the 16 NBA teams that made the playoffs last season will be unveiled again another Lot of uniforms sometime before Christmas. They call these uniforms "won" (a curious name when you consider that more than half of the league is qualified for the playoffs). Will they be better than those unveiled this week? Stay tuned.

Paul Lukas thinks that all these uniforms would be much better without these advertising patches. If you like this section, you will surely like his Uni Watch blog, the more you can follow him on Twitter and Facebook and sign up for its mailing list so that you always know when a new column has been posted. Want to know more about Uni Watch's membership program, view Uni Watch products, or just ask a question? Contact him here.