Here's My Ranking Of (Almost) Every NBA Jersey Of The 21st Century

    There can only be one to ball them all.

    Jeremy Hayes
    by Jeremy Hayes

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    With another NBA Finals upon us, it felt like a good time to rank the best threads in basketball. But which jersey will be hoisted to the rafters above all others as the greatest?

    Dwayne Wade's White Miami Heat jersey hanging in the rafters
    Michael Reaves / Getty Images

    *NOTE* I selected more than 100 uniforms from the past two decades, but some alternates may have been left off the list. If some jerseys had little alterations, they were left off the list.

    107. Denver Nuggets (Home, Current)

    White Nuggets jersey with blue numbers and red lettering
    Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

    The color scheme really doesn't make a ton of sense. You need better uniforms for the reigning MVP.

    106. Minnesota Timberwolves (Minneapolis and St. Paul, '19–'20)

    Powder blue "MSP" jersey with white lettering
    Michael Reaves / Getty Images

    I like the idea of the "MSP" jerseys, but the coloring is awful and looks like a knockoff Tar Heel jersey.

    105. Minnesota Timberwolves (Alternates, Current)

    Black Minnesota jersey with lime green outlining
    Hannah Foslien / Getty Images

    I don't even know what I'm looking at, but if I have to offer a compliment, I like the state on the beltline.

    104. Charlotte Bobcats (Away, '09–'12)

    Blue Bobcat jerseys with orange and white outlining
    Christian Petersen / Getty Images

    Never really hated the "Bobcat" name, but yikes, these road jerseys were not good.

    103. Boston Celtics (Green and Gold Alternates, Current)

    Green Celtics jersey with gold lettering
    Maddie Meyer / Getty Images

    Taking all-time classic jerseys and ruining them with a silly alternate uniform.

    102. Brooklyn Nets (Alternate Retro, Current)

    Baby blue Nets jersey with red lettering
    Sarah Stier / Getty Images

    Very retro, but really don't go with the team's standard color scheme...which I am a big fan of.

    101. Denver Nuggets (Away, Current)

    Blue Denver jersey with white numbers and yellow lettering
    Michael Reaves / Getty Images

    Some of the dullest jerseys in the NBA today. When you see what the highest-ranked Nuggets jersey is on this list, you'll understand why I believe that.

    100. New Jersey Nets (Away, '97–'12)

    Blue New Jersey jerseys with white lettering and red outlining
    Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images

    Not a big fan of the shading of blue.

    99. Milwaukee Bucks (Away, '93–'06)

    Purple Bucks jersey with white lettering
    Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

    Purple is not a good color for the Bucks, but it is hard to go up against the Celtics in a "green-off."

    98. Minnesota Timberwolves (Alternate, Current)

    Lime green Minnesota jerseys with white numbers and blue lettering
    Daniel Shirey / Getty Images

    Gutsy...I'll say that much.

    97. Washington Wizards (Home, '97–'03)

    White Wizards jersey with dark blue lettering and brown outlines
    Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

    It's one thing to say a jersey looks silly, but it's another level of bad to say it looks dull. Nothing about these home jerseys stand out.

    96. Golden State Warriors (Alternate Yellows, Current)

    Yellow Warriors jersey with blue outlining and the word "Bay"
    Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

    The Warriors have some great jerseys, but these are a little too loud compared to their modern home and away uniforms.

    95. Charlotte Bobcats (Home, '09–'12)

    White Bobcats jersey with blue lettering and orange trims
    Streeter Lecka / Getty Images

    I don't know if anybody misses the Bobcats, but these jerseys were fine.

    94. Atlanta Hawks (Away, '12–'19)

    Red "ATL" jersey with yellow numbers and black lettering
    Jason Miller / Getty Images

    The Atlanta triangles era was a weird one, but I'm glad they've stuck with the yellow and red through the years.

    93. New Orleans Pelicans (Home, Current)

    White New Orleans jersey with blue lettering and gold outlining
    Elsa / Getty Images

    It's missing something in the torso/chest area, but there is potential to keep building on these jerseys.

    92. Houston Rockets (Alternates, Current)

    Black Houston jersey with white lettering and red outlining
    Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

    If I have to say something positive, I like the red collar.

    91. New Orleans Hornets (Away, Current)

    Blue New Orleans jersey with yellow lettering
    Christian Petersen / Getty Images

    I like the yellow lettering a lot, but there is a lot going on with these.

    90. Atlanta Hawks (Home, '15–'20)

    White Atlanta jerseys with yellow numbers and red lettering
    Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

    The little triangle shade was bold, but it never made a strong impression.

    89. Dallas Mavericks (Away, Current)

    Blue Mavericks jersey with white lettering
    Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

    Not a lot going on with these.

    88. Atlanta Hawks (MLK Alternates, Current)

    Black MLK jersey with gold outlining and white lettering
    Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

    Cool concept of having Nike City Edition uniforms, but they could still have their primary colors involved.

    87. Washington Wizards (Away, '90s–2003)

    Blue Wizards jersey with white lettering and brown trims
    Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images

    The goofy "W" is great, but everything else is a little underwhelming.

    86. Indiana Pacers (Away, Current)

    Yellow Indiana jersey with blue lettering
    Pool / Getty Images

    These would look better with blue pinstripes.

    85. Orlando Magic (Away, Current)

    Blue Orlando jersey with white lettering
    Nic Antaya / Getty Images

    The blue and white is awesome, but the black block would probably be better as a black trim across the side.

    84. New Orleans Pelicans (Away, Current)

    Blue New Orleans jersey with white lettering and gold trims
    Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images

    That New Orleans flair works well — by far the Pelicans' best jerseys.

    83. Houston Rockets (Alternate, Current)

    Red Houston jersey with white lettering and darker red trims
    Bob Levey / Getty Images

    Red on red. Nothing pops.

    82. Dallas Mavericks (Home, Current)

    White Dallas jersey with blue lettering and light blue numbers
    Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

    Not terrible, but definitely the weaker of the home jerseys in the league.

    81. Philadelphia 76ers (Alternates, Current)

    Red "Phila" jersey with white lettering and blue outlining
    Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images

    I never got having "Phila" instead of "Philly," but whatever — their blue ones are better.

    80. Oklahoma City Thunder (Alternates, Current)

    Orange "OKC" jersey with blue lettering and white outlining
    Andy Lyons / Getty Images

    Orange you glad these are only alternate jerseys? No? OK.

    79. Toronto Raptors (Home, Current)

    White Raptors jerseys with black lettering and red trims
    Pool / Getty Images

    Mmmm. Plain.

    78. Minnesota Timberwolves (Away, Current)

    Blue Minnesota jersey with white lettering
    Hannah Foslien / Getty Images

    Nothing too special here; in fact, these don't even sort of scream "Wolves."

    77. Washington Wizards (Away, Current)

    Red Wizards jerseys with blue numbers and white lettering
    Patrick Smith / Getty Images

    The different colored lines are interesting, but the least slick red, white, and blue jerseys.

    76. Cleveland Cavaliers (Away, Current)

    Red Cleveland jerseys with dark blue numbers and yellow lettering
    Gregory Shamus / Getty Images

    Not very vibrant...like their franchise post-LeBron James.

    75. Minnesota Timberwolves (Home, Current)

    White Wolves jersey with blue lettering
    Al Bello / Getty Images

    They almost look like high-end summer league jerseys, but not bad at all.

    74. Washington Wizards (Home, Current)

    White Wizards jersey with red numbers and blue lettering
    Will Newton / Getty Images

    A cute nod to the old Bullets uniforms, but with the name Wizards, it doesn't really go well.

    73. Orlando Magic (Home, Current)

    White Magic jerseys with blue lettering and black trims on the side
    Douglas P. Defelice / Getty Images

    Not big into the added black, but the pinstripes have always worked for the Magic.

    72. Minnesota Timberwolves (Alternate, '96–'08)

    Black Timberwolves jersey with white lettering and green tree outlining
    Kirby Lee / WireImage / Via Getty Images

    I love the lettering. Very...wolf-y?

    71. Cleveland Cavaliers (Home, Current)

    White Cavs jerseys and red lettering with yellow outlining
    Tom Pennington / Getty Images

    Crisp, but I'm starting to realize all modern NBA Nike jerseys look crisp no matter what.

    70. Utah Jazz (Home, Current)

    White Jazz jerseys with green numbers and blue lettering
    Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images

    Not into all that Jazz. *giggles* 

    69. Golden State Warriors (Oakland Alternates, Current)

    Dark blue Oakland jerseys with yellow lettering and orange outlining
    Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

    A nice little tribute to the past and to the city of Oakland.

    68. Oklahoma City Thunder (Away, Current)

    Blue Thunder jersey with white lettering and orange outlining
    Adam Glanzman / Getty Images

    Not a huge fan of any of their away jerseys, but the colors are still original enough that anything works.

    67. Portland Trail Blazers (Alternate, Current)

    Red Portland jersey with a black sash and white lettering
    Sean Gardner / Getty Images

    Not as good as their other jerseys, but still solid.

    66. Philadelphia 76ers (Alternates, '00–'06)

    Purple Sixers jersey with white lettering and red outlining
    Al Bello / Getty Images

    Nothing for Philly beats the black jerseys during the early 2000s.

    65. Milwaukee Bucks (Away, '06–'15)

    Green Bucks jersey with red lettering
    Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

    A little Christmas-y, but not terrible. Better than the purple jerseys.

    64. Toronto Raptors (Away, Current)

    Red Raptors jerseys with white lettering and black trims
    Pool / Getty Images

    A solid rendition of a modern Raptor jersey, but the lettering is incredibly boring compared to past jerseys.

    63. Phoenix Suns (Alternates, '06–'10)

    Orange jersey with white lettering and gray trims
    Nick Laham / Getty Images

    Orange? Gray? Hey, they're different.

    62. Oklahoma City Thunder (Home, Current)

    White Oklahoma City jersey with blue lettering and orange outlining
    Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

    The outlining is wonderful, and the color combo is very unique.

    61. Charlotte Hornets (Away, Current)

    Teal Hornets jersey with white lettering and purple numbers
    Streeter Lecka / Getty Images

    I think people think of yellow and black when they think of Hornets, but as I grow older, this color scheme pops into my head.

    60. Phoenix Suns (Alternates, Current)

    Black "The Valley" jersey with rainbow banner and white lettering
    Christian Petersen / Getty Images

    Very critical of black jerseys, especially if black isn't part of a team's color scheme, but add a splash of rainbow and you've got yourself a strange match that looks great on the court.

    59. Sacramento Kings (Away, Current)

    Purple "SAC" jersey with gray lettering
    Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

    I can't decide if I love or hate the gray. But the purple is always a good look.

    58. New Jersey Nets (Home, '97–'06)

    White Nets jersey with blue lettering and red outlining
    Chris Mcgrath / Getty Images

    Simple, but effective. The best New Jersey Net uniforms.

    57. Houston Rockets (Away, Current)

    Red Rockets jersey with white lettering and a gray trim
    Tom Pennington / Getty Images

    The Rockets have many alternates of the same jersey, but overall, their road ones always look pretty good.

    56. Utah Jazz (Away, Current)

    Blue Jazz jersey with yellow numbers and white lettering
    Steph Chambers / Getty Images

    Utah...famous for their...Jazz. (Prime example of why every team should change their name if they relocate.)

    55. Atlanta Hawks (Away, '07–'12)

    Blue Atlanta jerseys with white lettering and red outlining
    Gregory Shamus / Getty Images

    These almost feel more appropriate for college basketball, but that doesn't mean they're bad.

    54. Golden State Warriors (Home, '01–'10)

    White Warriors jersey with blue lettering, and also yellow and red outlining
    Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images

    The uniform of underdogs. Love the side stripe, and the outlining is great too.

    53. Indiana Pacers (Away, Current)

    Blue Indiana jersey with yellow lettering and yellow pinstripes
    Andy Lyons / Getty Images

    There's something holding these back. They should be higher on the list, but it needs something more...or maybe less...I don't know, but there is something off about these (and I like them a lot).

    52. Cleveland Cavaliers (Away, '03–'10)

    Red Cavaliers jersey with white lettering and gold outlining
    Elsa / Getty Images

    The big "C" in the Cleveland lettering is a nice touch.

    51. Atlanta Hawks (Home, '07–'12)

    White Atlanta jersey with blue lettering and red outlining
    Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

    The outlining around the letters of "Atlanta" look nice.

    50. Minnesota Timberwolves (1996–'08, Away)

    Blue Timberwolves jersey with white lettering and green trees outlining black trim
    G Fiume / Getty Images

    The Big Ticket's best jersey. How can you hate on those little trees on the jersey?

    49. Milwaukee Bucks (Away, Current)

    Green Milwaukee jersey with white lettering
    Leon Halip / Getty Images

    I think Milwaukee has found the perfect jersey in the "Fear the Deer" era, but I would like to see an alternate with red outlining.

    48. Sacramento Kings (Home, Current)

    White Kings jersey with purple lettering and gray outlining
    Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

    Solid. The gray is a little random.

    47. Cleveland Cavaliers (Home, '03–'10)

    White Cavaliers jerseys with red lettering and blue numbers
    Gregory Shamus / Getty Images

    The Cleveland LeBrons. Weirdly enough, I think these jerseys are the best the franchise has ever had.

    46. Seattle Supersonics (Home, Defunct)

    White Sonics jersey with green banner and yellow outlining
    Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images

    It's a shame we never got to see a Nike version of a Supersonics jersey, because it would look clean as heck.

    45. Phoenix Suns (Away, Current)

    Purple Phoenix jersey with orange numbers and white lettering
    Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

    Not in love with the purple, but the jerseys are still better than most.

    44. Milwaukee Bucks (Home, Current)

    White Bucks jersey with green lettering
    Elsa / Getty Images

    I like the lining on the jersey's sides and the text work well with the new era of the Bucks.

    43. Golden State Warriors (Away, '01–'10)

    Dark blue Warriors jersey with yellow lettering
    Christian Petersen / Getty Images

    For some reason, none of these colors should work with each other, but they are cool. Almost more of a SlamBall uniform than an NBA uniform, but I dig them.

    42. Phoenix Suns (Home, Current)

    White Suns jersey with orange lettering and purple numbers
    Christian Petersen / Getty Images

    I'm convinced that the Suns can't have a bad uniform. The color scheme rocks, and the different colored number and name work well together.

    41. Memphis Grizzlies (Home, Current)

    White Memphis jersey with dark blue lettering and numbers
    Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

    Apparently, I really like the Grizzlies jerseys more than I realized. There's a simplicity about them, and the choice of font is a nice touch.

    40. Atlanta Hawks (Throwbacks)

    White Hawks jersey with a red banner/numbers and white lettering
    Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

    How can you look at these and not think of Dominique Wilkins? Great throwbacks, but it feels like cheating having any throwbacks on the list...ah, what the heck, these are too good to pass up.

    39. Los Angeles Clippers (Away, Current)

    Blue Clippers jersey with white lettering
    Harry How / Getty Images

    L.A. gives Philly a run for their money as the best red, white, and blue squad.

    38. Philadelphia 76ers (Home, '00–'07)

    White jersey with black lettering and red outlining
    Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

    It's hard to top this sweet logo. I see it and think "A.I." immediately.

    37. Denver Nuggets (Home, '03–'10)

    White Nuggets jersey with baby blue lettering and yellow outlining
    Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

    Big dreams and Carmelo Anthony. That's what comes to mind when I look at these classic 2000s jerseys.

    36. Atlanta Hawks (Away, Current)

    Red Atlanta jersey and white lettering, yellow outlining
    Sarah Stier / Getty Images

    Love these. I'm in the minority and love these more than the classic 'Nique jerseys. 

    35. Memphis Grizzlies (Away, Current)

    Dark Blue Grizzlies jersey with baby blue lettering
    Steph Chambers / Getty Images

    Very similar color scheme to the Tennessee Titans, and the line through the name and numbers makes these look awesome.

    34. Philadelphia 76ers (Away, '00–'07)

    Black Sixers jersey with red outlining and white lettering
    G Fiume / Getty Images

    Love the logo on the jersey, but their road uniforms were always a little more dull than their modern fits.

    33. Charlotte Hornets (Home, Current)

    White Charlotte jerseys with teal lettering and pinstripes
    Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images

    The pinstripes are a good look, and the teal is very original. They should stick with these going forward.

    32. Memphis Grizzlies (Away, Current)

    Light blue Grizzlies jersey with darker blue names and numbers
    Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

    One of the few light and dark of the same color that actually works. Plus, the yellow trim used as an outline is a nice touch. 

    31. Phoenix Suns (Home, '00–'06)

    White Suns jersey with purple lettering and orange outlining
    Christian Petersen / Getty Images

    Always thought these jerseys looked retro in a time where most teams were avoiding that look. Very "space-themed," and I like it.

    30. Golden State Warriors (Away, Current)

    Blue Golden State Warriors jersey with yellow outlining of a bridge logo and yellow numbers
    Will Newton / Getty Images

    Blue and yellow are an underrated match for team sports, but the Warriors might take the cake in all four major US sports (maybe second to the Los Angeles Chargers).

    29. Portland Trail Blazers (Road, Current)

    Black Portland jersey with a red and white sash going down the middle
    Pool / Getty Images

    These really stand out while maintaining a classic look to them.

    28. Los Angeles Lakers (Away, Current)

    Yellow Laker jersey with purple lettering
    Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

    I imagine this is the most controversial one on this list, but between the yellow and purple...well, you'll see the explanation when you find the purple jerseys on this list.

    27. San Antonio Spurs (Home, Current)

    White Spurs jersey with black lettering
    Pool / Getty Images

    Like a black and white cookie, it's hard to go wrong with this color scheme.

    26. Seattle Supersonics (Away, Defunct)

    Green Seattle jersey with a white banner over chest that says "Seattle"
    Domenic Centofanti / Getty Images

    Seattle might not be an NBA town anymore, but they can always look back at these awesome jerseys and enjoy the memories. 

    25. Houston Rockets (Home, Current)

    White Rockets jerseys with red lettering
    Scott Halleran / Getty Images

    The best Rocket uniforms out there. The red really pops, and although I don't love the thin lettering, it works for them.

    24. Brooklyn Nets (Away, Current)

    Black Brooklyn jerseys with white outlining
    Elsa / Getty Images

    Sorry to New Jersey fans, but Brooklyn was a massive upgrade, and it shows in these uniforms. 

    23. Miami Heat (Alternate, Current)

    Red Miami jerseys with white lettering
    Michael Reaves / Getty Images

    Not as good as their black jerseys, but still top-notch.

    22. Los Angeles Lakers (Home, Current)

    White Lakers jerseys with purple lettering and yellow outlining
    Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images

    Slick, but not the Lakers' best jerseys.

    21. Atlanta Hawks (Home, Current)

    White Atlanta jerseys with red lettering and yellow outlining
    Todd Kirkland / Getty Images

    Unpopular opinion, but I like these more than the old-school "banner" Hawk jerseys. There's something fresh about them, but they also still have that classic look.

    20. Portland Trail Blazers (Home, Current)

    White Blazers jersey with a red and black sash
    Steph Chambers / Getty Images

    LOVE the red and black sash. I think red in general might be the best color in basketball.

    19. Philadelphia 76ers (Away, Current)

    Blue "Phila" jersey with white lettering and red outlining
    Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images

    These look great, and although I love the "A.I.-era" jerseys, these are crisp with a capital...crisp.

    18. Brooklyn Nets (Home, Current)

    White Brooklyn jerseys with black lettering
    Gregory Shamus / Getty Images

    These jerseys are kind of the Penn State football flare of the NBA. Simplified, but killer. Love them.

    17. Golden State Warriors (Home, Current)

    White Golden State Warriors jersey with blue and yellow bridge logo
    Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

    The 2010s saw a lot of this jersey, and man are they pretty. The logo on the jersey is very original and has tried to be copied by other teams.

    16. San Antonio Spurs (Away, Current)

    Black Spurs jersey with white numbers and lettering
    Maddie Malhotra / Getty Images

    Black and silver. Works for the Las Vegas Raiders and works for the Spurs.

    15. Los Angeles Clippers (Home, Current)

    White Clippers jersey with blue letters and red numbers
    Douglas P. Defelice / Getty Images

    Red, white, and blue looking slick in La La Land. The best the Clippers have to offer.

    14. Washington Wizards (Gold Alternates, '06–'09)

    Gold Wizards uniform with black stars and white outlining
    Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

    These look like All-Star jerseys, and I'm not hating them. They were very unique at the time, and as much as I hate the name "Wizards," they have something special with these uniforms.

    13. Miami Heat (Away, Current)

    Black Miami jersey with white lettering and red outlining
    Pool / Getty Images

    One of the few teams where their black jerseys look great with their primary colors.

    12. Detroit Pistons (Away, Current)

    Blue Detroit jersey with red lettering and white outlining
    Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images

    I see these and think of Ben Wallace, Rip Hamilton, and Chauncey Billups...timeless uniforms.

    11. Chicago Bulls (Away, Current)

    Red Bulls jersey with black lettering and white outlining
    Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

    Red...you know...like a bull seeing red. Or red, like the blood of angry men and black...the dark of ages past. *winks in Les Mis*

    10. New York Knicks (Away, Current)

    Blue New York jerseys with orange lettering
    Gregory Shamus / Getty Images

    Classic jerseys with a solid color scheme, although these are not as good as their home jerseys.

    9. New York Knicks (Home, Current)

    White New York jersey with orange lettering and blue outlining
    Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

    The blue outlining around the orange lettering is tremendous.

    8. Denver Nuggets (Away, '03–'10)

    Powder blue Denver jersey with yellow outlining and white numbering
    Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

    The best Denver Nuggets jerseys ever. Yeah, I said it.

    7. Boston Celtics (Home, Current)

    White Celtics jersey with green outlines and lettering
    Maddie Malhotra / Getty Images

    Crisp white that makes the green pop and a signature jersey in NBA history.

    6. Detroit Pistons (Home, Current)

    White Pistons jersey with red lettering
    Maddie Meyer / Getty Images

    The racing stripes on the side of the jersey are very fitting for Detroit.

    5. Chicago Bulls (Home, Current)

    White Bulls jerseys with red lettering and black outlining
    Elsa / Getty Images

    The jerseys that Michael Jordan made cool. That being said, even post-Jordan, these are marvelous.

    4. Toronto Raptors (Away, '99–'07)

    Purple Raptors jersey with red outlining and white lettering
    G Fiume / Getty Images

    By far, the most bold and unique color scheme on the list. Plus, having the backside be black is a bold choice, and it is one of the more original jersey features ever.

    3. Miami Heat (Home, Current)

    White Heat jersey with red lettering and outlining
    Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

    Not talked about enough, these jerseys are terribly underrated. The lettering and numbers are excellent.

    2. Los Angeles Lakers (Away, Current)

    Purple Lakers jersey with yellow lettering and white numbers
    Christian Petersen / Getty Images

    The best Lakers jerseys and arguably the best color combination in the whole league.

    1. Boston Celtics (Away, Current)

    Green Celtics jersey with white outlining and lettering
    Steven Ryan / Getty Images

    It doesn't get much better, or classic, than the Celtics green jerseys. They are easily identifiable when you turn on a game, and the green/white color combination is flawless.

    Which uniform is your favorite? Did I leave a jersey you adore off the list? Comment below!