Spurs Unveil Alternate Jersey Sans Team Or City Name On Uniform

The Spurs yesterday unveiled their alternate uniforms for the upcoming season and the “most prominent image” is the team’s “simple, iconic U-shaped logo, writ large across the left breast,” according to Jeff McDonald of the SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS. More than “two-thirds of the NBA’s teams will include a third uniform in the wardrobe case this season,” and the Spurs are “set to add to the en vogue trend with a sartorial look different than anything they’ve worn before.” In addition to the trademark logo, the Spurs’ new "silver top features the uniform number on the right breast in black, with black and white vertical stripes along the side.” The accompanying shorts are “monogrammed with the letters ‘SA’ on the left leg, the only alphabetical mention of the team or city on the front of the ensemble.” The team plans to “break them out only for a dozen or so home dates this season, debuting with the Nov. 1 home opener" against the Thunder.” The new look will “be available for purchase starting Oct. 6 at the Spurs’ fan shop at the AT&T Center, online at NBAStore.com and at area Academy sporting goods stores” (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 9/20). The new jerseys are also available by purchasing a six-game Platinum Pick 6 ticket package, which allows fans to choose games against the Lakers (Jan. 9) or Heat (March 31), plus a selection of five additional games throughout the season (Spurs).

FINDING THE SILVER LINING: ESPN.com’s Paul Lukas wrote the new jersey “arguably looks more like a practice uni.” Lukas: “I'm a ‘less is more’ guy, so I'm generally fine with minimalist designs, although this one is really pushing it. The most interesting thing about it is that the jersey doesn't include the team name or the city name” (ESPN.com, 9/19). In San Antonio, Dan McCarney noted while "certainly unique, these togs just aren’t all that interesting.” They took a “bold step by removing any specific identification and went strictly with their iconic Spur logo.” The move is “not necessarily a good step, mind you, but definitely a bold one, and that deserves credit.” McCarney added minimalism “is one thing, but these uniforms are just, well, dull” (MYSANANTONIO.com, 9/19).

NET GAIN: ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser and Chris Broussard discussed the Nets' new jerseys, and Kornheiser said they are “simple, they’re stylish and they are really old-school." Kornheiser: “I don’t know if I like them, but I know that they are striking and so from that sense, stylistically I like them.” ESPN’s Chris Broussard said the jerseys are “Raider-like” in that they are “intimidating, like the Raiders, and it’ll appeal to the hip-hop” crowd, which will be "loving these uniforms” (“PTI,” ESPN, 9/19).