An NBA jersey isn’t just a jersey, true basketball fans know this. It’s so, so much more: a time capsule to a specific era or player, a legendary performance that is etched in our collective memory, a nod to an unforgettable Hall of Fame-making moment, a Finals-winning team that made history for an entire city.
And let’s be honest, some of the designs stand in their own right, even if the teams they belonged to sucked on the court. And conversely, even if a jersey is uglier than a Christmas sweater, it’s beloved simply because of what it harks back to.
Jerseys play an integral part of fandom, which is why NBA 2K has made such a concerted effort to include the most iconic editions in the game. But they don’t always get it right. These are the jerseys that are either entirely missing or severely underrepresented in recent versions of the game.
Toronto Raptors: City Edition (New for 2024-25)
The old-school dunking dino jerseys have been a mainstay in 2K for a while, and for good reason. They’re just brilliant. When the Raptors replaced it with its bland successor, it should have been branded a federal crime.
The franchise is doing its part to cover up its questionable jersey past by introducing a new City edition, dino style. Toronto is calling it a ‘mix tape’ of its history, and it’s an accurate description of the design.
Now, these jerseys are primarily about the visual. Sure, we have the Carter dunks, the Stoudamire assists, but that era was relatively weak result-wise. But it doesn’t matter, the Vinsanity-era design will live on as one of the iconic NBA jerseys.
Miami Heat: Vice Series (First Seen in 2017-18)
Even the designers responsible for the Miami Vice campaign could not have predicted just how popular the series would become. The numbers are seriously impressive for this jersey. Over 50% of the total number sold since the first Vice edition made its debut has belonged to the series. That means it’s more popular than the primary Heat jersey.
The original run ended back in 2021, but when something is this successful, it’s no surprise the franchise is bringing back the popular white version. And now that it’s official, 2K should do the same.
Denver Nuggets: Rainbow Skyline (1980s)
Perhaps one of the most underrated jersey designs in NBA history, the Nuggets rainbow skyline is still one of the most-loved designs for Denver fans. The design does make an appearance in 2K, but there is one irritating error in this year’s game: the numbers are the wrong colour.
And that pretty much sums up how 2K is seriously underutilizing this design. The formula is epic: pixelated rainbows, the city skyline, and the Rocky Mountains, are all enveloped by a bold and colourful design.
It symbolizes a high-scoring, fast-paced era in basketball – games going into the 140s were not rare. Wear this edition, and you will get old school fans waxing lyrical about legends like Alex English and Fat Lever.
Seattle SuperSonics: Green and Gold (1979 Vintage)
The Sonics’ green and gold jersey is historic and heart-wrenching, both in equal measure. From the 70s right through the start of this century, legends like Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, and Ray Allen donned the uniform worn by the only team in the Pacific Northwest.
The design is simple, yet iconic. Sleek green, gold accents, clean typography. No gimmicks, no flash, just old school style that James Naismith would have been proud of.
There’s a reason 2K struggles with this uniform, as the team left Seattle in controversial circumstances. The team now resides in OKC, with the old uniform fading into history.
But now, there are talks Seattle may welcome an expansion team. Will the Thunder cede the Sonics’ history to its ancestral home, should this happen? We hope so.
Look, before we sign off, this isn’t meant to be a roasting of NBA 2K. The retro jerseys the game does feature are legendary and very much appreciated. The Rockets’ pinstripe pajamas, the Vancouver Grizzlies pure 90s teal design, the Shaq and Penny Orlando Magic series, they’re all there. But hey, what’s wrong with wanting just that little bit more, right?
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