Throwback is in, and the Philadelphia 76ers took that concept to an old level when they unveiled their new-old uniforms to the public today.
Quite frankly, the uniforms look like something off the rack from Mitchell & Ness.
Sixers new uniforms call to mind the Dr. J and Moses era. (Photo courtesy of Sixers.com.)
With the way old school Dr. J and Moses jerseys have sold, many fans will like the look of today’s Sixers.
The team searching for an identity under first year coach Eddie Jordan on the court can only hope it matches the message management must be trying to deliver by resurrecting a uniform style in which the Sixers won their last NBA Championship.
“With the start of our season fast approaching, we are thrilled to introduce our new uniforms that reflect a sense of Sixers history and our exciting future,” President and General Manager Ed Stefanski said in a statement. “The new uniforms were designed with our fans in mind, after receiving strong feedback that this was a change they wanted.”
As far as style, the uniforms lack today’s standard.
Plain block letters spelling “Sixers” adorn the front of the jersey, with block numbers. Sleek blue edging along the jersey and bottom of the shorts adds a modern touch. Call it retro chic.
Home jerseys will be white with blue lettering and red numbers; away jerseys will be red and feature white letters and numbers.
The team had been hinting at going back to its old logo and jersey style for more than a year. When recruiting Elton Brand a year ago, the team showed him his name on the Sixers scoreboard and included the throwback logo.
Last year, the Sixers often wore their retro jerseys during games.
When the team announced it was changing their logo from the newer, modern Pat Croce logo to the 1980s version, fans had to know the jerseys would follow suit.
The jersey and logo change officially shuts the door on the Croce, Iverson/Larry Brown era of Sixers basketball. The team rose from the ashes of the Atlantic Division to a 2001 NBA Finals appearance.
Sixers fans can only hope the newest old jerseys represent a return to championship-style basketball.
