The Worst NBA Jerseys of All Time

From the classic 90s Charlotte Hornets to the hideous recent Miami Heat jerseys, these are the absolute worst NBA jerseys of all time.

The Charlotte Hornets’ teal train wreck

In the early 1990s, the Charlotte Hornets were an expansion team searching for an identity. They quickly found it – in the form of one of the ugliest jerseys in NBA history

The Hornets’ original jerseys were a teal train wreck, featuring an awful font and an even worse color scheme Thankfully, the team has since ditched the teal in favor of a more traditional black and purple look.

The Vancouver Grizzlies’ “nightmare” jerseys

In the early 1990s, the Vancouver Grizzlies were one of two Canadian expansion teams joining the NBA. The team’s jerseys at the time were pretty standard fare, but in 1996 they made a drastic change. The team rebranded, adopting a new logo and color scheme, and debuted these “nightmare” jerseys.

The dark teal and black jerseys were bad enough on their own, but they were made even worse by the addition of neon yellow accents. The whole thing was a disaster, and the team quickly abandoned the look. Thankfully, they’ve since reverted back to their original jerseys.

The Toronto Raptors’ “camouflage” jerseys

In 1995, the Toronto Raptors unveiled their “camouflage” jerseys, which were meant to honor the Canadian Armed Forces The jerseys were white with black and red stripes, and featured a black and red camouflage pattern on the sleeves and sides. The jerseys were so hideous that they were only worn for one season.

The Sacramento Kings’ “rainbow” jerseys

From 1985 to 1986, the Sacramento Kings wore what can only be described as “rainbow” jerseys. The jerseys were primarily red, but they featured stripes of yellow, green, purple, and blue. Needless to say, they were not popular with fans or players. In fact, many players refused to wear them. The jerseys were so bad that the Kings only wore them for one season before goes back to their more traditional jerseys.

The Orlando Magic’s “stars and stripes” jerseys

The Orlando Magic’s “stars and stripes” jerseys are widely regarded as some of the worst in NBA history The team wore them for just two seasons, from 1997-1999, but they made a lasting impression thanks to their tacky design. The jerseys were navy blue with white and red stripes on the sleeves, and they featured the team’s star players ( Penny Hardaway Shaquille O’Neal, and Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway ) on the front. The jerseys were so disliked that the team decided to ditch them after just two seasons.

The Denver Nuggets’ “mountain” jerseys

The Denver Nuggets’ “mountain” jerseys are widely considered to be some of the worst NBA jerseys of all time. The jerseys, which were introduced in 2002, feature a white base with blue and yellow trim. The design is meant to resemble the Rocky Mountains, but many fans and critics feel that it is tacky and dated. The Nuggets wore the jerseys for four seasons before switching to a more traditional design in 2006.

The Indiana Pacers’ “floating basketball” jerseys

In 1997, the Indiana Pacers went through a complete rebrand, including new logos and new uniforms. The home jerseys in particular, were derided for their “floating basketball” design, in which a basketball seemed to be floating in space above the word “PACERS” on the front of the jersey. The team eventually returned to a more traditional design, but the floating basketball jerseys remain one of the worst NBA uniforms of all time.

The Brooklyn Nets’ “blackout” jerseys

In 2012, the Brooklyn Nets introduced their “blackout” jerseys. The jerseys were all black with the word “Brooklyn” across the front. They were panned by critics and players alike. Lebron James even said they were the worst jerseys he had ever seen. The team only wore them for one season, and they are now considered to be one of the worst NBA jerseys of all time.

The Los Angeles Clippers’ “red, white, and blue” jerseys

When the Los Angeles Clippers debuted their “red, white, and blue” jerseys in the early 1990s, they were widely mocked. The jerseys featured a busy pattern that was meant to represent the American flag but instead looked like a mismatched mess. The team quickly abandoned the jerseys, but they remain one of the most infamous NBA uniforms of all time.

The Houston Rockets’ “clutch city” jerseys

Of all the bad jerseys in NBA history the Houston Rockets’ “Clutch City” jerseys might be the worst. The jerseys, which the team wore from 1995 to 2003, are a garish combination of red, yellow and black that is somehow both dated and tacky. The Rockets’ current jerseys are much better, but they still can’t quite shake the bad taste of these eyesores.