On Monday, the Cleveland Cavaliers dropped their new set of uniforms for this upcoming season.
The new threads ✨#LetEmKnow
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) July 18, 2022
The reaction from fans was mixed, as some like the clean and simplified designs, while others feel they’re a bit too plain.
Of course, the appearance of a team’s uniforms isn’t nearly as important as the team itself and its players.
The Cavs certainly look to have a strong and competitive roster, and they will have a good chance of making the playoffs for the first time since 2018, LeBron James’ last year with the team.
But their new jerseys aren’t nearly as exciting as the young, talented players they have.
Given their history, the Cavs could’ve done better with these uniforms.
Cleveland Has Had Some Beautiful Uniforms Over The Years
The Cavs’ first jerseys during their formative years in the 1970s weren’t too pretty, but in the 1980s and early 1990s, they had some nice-looking unis.
Perhaps the choice of orange was questionable, but their blue road uniforms were not only simple but also beautiful.
Mark Price, the team’s terrific point guard for nine seasons starting in the 1986-87 campaign, looked stylish when he was directing Cleveland’s offense back in those days.
Mark Price @cavs pic.twitter.com/m0kKJwSMHY
— 90s NBA (@NBA90s) March 5, 2018
Whether he was wearing the Cavs’ road blue or home white jerseys, Larry Nance Sr. made a living by posterizing opponents.
Born today in 1959, there was nothing he couldn’t do.
Shot-blocking machine. Dunk maestro. Bucket-getter from in close. 2X All-Star.
Happy 63rd birthday to Larry Nance Sr!#ATCBirthdays #Cavs #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/L0o6XhIjI9
— Across The (Mobley) Cavs (@AcrossCavs) February 12, 2022
In the late 1990s, Cleveland updated its uniforms to be more sophisticated, and unlike some unis of the era that were a bit too ostentatious with their imaging, Cleveland’s jerseys found the right balance between clean and complicated.
Cleveland @cavs Shawn Kemp. 1997-98. #zensations pic.twitter.com/98Uxpzto6Z
— John Skrtic (@SkrticX) September 17, 2021
Next on my Watch List: The classic yet very rare Shawn Kemp Cavs Swingman jersey. Wish me luck on this one. pic.twitter.com/yIVbj4ay53
— Gio Mio (@gmio93) December 23, 2014
The late 1990s and early 2000s were bleak years for the Cavs, as they were well past the halcyon years of Price, Nance and Brad Daugherty but still a while away from the arrival of LeBron James.
But at least their uniforms weren’t too shabby, and once again, there was a solid balance between a simple design and a stylish look.
These guys are the first cavs team i ever watched, i was a huge fan of Ricky Davis and Darius Miles lol pic.twitter.com/SsaCofRTpU
— Corey (@MufasaEvey) June 12, 2016
Cavs fire David Blatt, hire former Cavs great Ricky Davis. You heard it here first. pic.twitter.com/9dtXPRjeWq
— Joey Red Stockings (@DoinWork86) January 22, 2016
When James was drafted in 2003, it heralded a glorious new era for the Cavs, and with that new era came bold new uniforms, complete with beautiful styling of the “Cavaliers” wordmark and a contrasting trim down the sides of the jerseys and shorts.
7: Rookie LeBron James pic.twitter.com/MCx6IjthgD
— CeedyDuce4dpoy🍀🍀🍀 (@OwnHimCeedyOG) July 10, 2022
Their alternate unis during that period were arguably even better.
On this date in 2007, LeBron James scored 25 consecutive points in 4th quarter of Game 5 in the Eastern Conference Finals in a double-overtime win against the Pistons.
James scored 29 of the final 30 points for the Cavs to take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. pic.twitter.com/XZvxKHgzFe
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 31, 2020
When James left in 2010, the Cavs again switched uniforms, and although they went with a much simpler look, they weren’t too boring or devoid of style.
They kept the look after James returned to The Land in 2014.
Kyrie irving's 2016-2017 Season
A thread: pic.twitter.com/pxyMQxFucV
— Jose (@ClutchlikeKy) June 2, 2021
If those were too simple for some, they added an alternate road jersey that was fire.
LeBron James 2015 NBA Finals Stats
Game 1: 44 PTS 8 REB 6 AST
Game 2: 39 PTS 16 REB 11 AST
Game 3: 40 PTS 12 REB 8 AST
Game 4: 20 PTS 12 REB 8 AST
Game 5: 40 PTS 14 REB 11 AST
Game 6: 32 PTS 18 REB 9 AST pic.twitter.com/1sFpKIRofk— ThrowbackHoops (@ThrowbackHoops) June 12, 2022
Starting in the 2017-18 season, Cleveland went with yet another uniform change, and it had another very solid look.
Darius Garland last year:
21.7 ppg, 8.6 apg, 1.3 spg, 38.3% 3pt
He’s only 22! pic.twitter.com/8fp7OmCevR— Cavs Nation (@CavsNationCP) July 11, 2022
From being “the worst player in the nba” to all star and given the first super max in Cleveland Cavalier history.@dariusgarland22
The Darius Garland show is just getting started. 🔥🎬 pic.twitter.com/2JH1fAlzcd— Projectnba_ (@Projectnba1) July 9, 2022
The biggest problem with the Cavs’ new uniforms is the lack of a contrast trim along the sides and the hems of both the jerseys and shorts.
To be honest, they look more like summer league uniforms, or even worse, practice uniforms.
Cleveland deserves better than that.
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