- The Toronto Raptors' dino-dribbling purple-pinstripe jersey leads the list.
- Three of the four jerseys on the list are now defunct.
- Only one jersey is active and is sported by an Eastern Conference squad.
Along with superstar athletes and incredible moments, NBA squads are often remembered through vibrant and uniquely designed jerseys. Throughout the history of the league, there are a few legendary standouts.
Although it doesn’t directly contribute to having better NBA odds to win it all each season, these remarkable jerseys have left their mark on team fanbases.
Here’s a list of the four best NBA jerseys of all time, three of which are discontinued, while the other is still used occasionally.
Toronto Raptors Purple Pinstripe: 1995-1999
The Toronto Raptors’ purple pinstripe is one of the most iconic jerseys in NBA history because of the dinosaur cartoon illustration, which is the exact logo on their home floor.
A purple-and-red jersey with a massive dinosaur on the front. Iconic.
An oral history of how the 🐐 uniform came to be: https://t.co/mCzE8rOd9y pic.twitter.com/enRvtQcA2J
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 25, 2018
The jersey debuted in 1995 when the Raptors joined the league, but it was phased out in 1999.
Minnesota Timberwolves Alternate: 1998-2008
Minnesota’s away jerseys, which debuted in 1998 with green trees as their lining, are another remarkable jersey in NBA history. The base was all black, and the white text made it look slick and elegant.
what's the 🐐 Timberwolves jersey? #NBAJerseyDay pic.twitter.com/1dbgnu3utN
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) December 14, 2021
Kevin Garnett is the most notable player in the franchise to wear this jersey.
It was discontinued in 2008 because they rebranded the team’s logo.
Miami Heat Vice City: 2017-Present
If there were a jersey award for the most vibrant colour, the clear winner would be the Miami Heat’s Vice City jerseys introduced in 2017.
Let's talk Vice!
We've introduced 4 designs of the @NBA's most popular City Edition jersey. We wanna know which has been your fav. #HEATUniRank
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 18, 2020
These jerseys rock a colour combination of black, pink, turquoise, and white, with interchangeable base colours of black and turquoise.
The team still wears them today.
Chicago Bulls Alternate: 1995-1997
The 1995 to 1997 Chicago Bulls away jersey is still one of the most basic but legendary uniforms in NBA history.
On this day in 1997: Michael Jordan scored 33 points to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s mark of 787 consecutive games with at least 10 points. pic.twitter.com/zV069q7NZr
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 30, 2017
Although the squad doesn’t wear them today, it’s still one of the most sought-after jerseys in the marketplace. They won two NBA titles with these jerseys in 1996 and 1997.
