Jazz To Don Iconic Classic Edition Purple Jerseys
Nov 7, 2018, 5:10 PM | Updated: 5:22 pm
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 17: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dunks over Kevin Hart, Jordan Mitchell and Hendrix Hart in the 2018 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at Staples Center on February 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz will be wearing their Nike classic edition jerseys for their home game against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.
The new throwback purple jersey went on sale on October 29th and immediately sold out. The reason, likely, was because of the jersey’s popularity. For many, it may be more popular than even the red and orange city edition jersey unveiled last year.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the former New Orleans Jazz moving to the Salt Lake Valley, the Jazz announced in September of 2018 that they would bring back the purple and gold road jerseys from the 1985-86 season.
NOW it’s official 😉
Jazz x Classic Edition | #TakeNote
🎽: https://t.co/iWsWKCgW8C pic.twitter.com/8TXe58C8F7
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) September 20, 2018
The jersey features the classic edge striping of their Mardi Gras colors: purple, green and yellow (gold); the original yellow and white J-note logo on the front and the lone J-note on the shorts.
Nike paid very close attention to detail, replicating exactly the yellow-white-outlined numbers, the white nameplate on back and even a slight difference in yellow hue between the front Jazz name logo and yellow striping and the v-neck taper. This jersey is not to be confused with similar, but different purple Jazz jerseys like the purple with all white characters of the mid-1970’s (Pistol Pete) or the all yellow characters (the Adidas Jazz throwbacks).
🔥🔥🔥🤙🏼 Throwback pic.twitter.com/yUdQN7CU5q
— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) September 19, 2018
It remained to be seen if the Jazz classic edition shorts will be classic length (think Stockton or dunk contest Donovan Mitchell) or modern length.
Players Who Rocked The Purple
Donovan Mitchell wore a Darrell Griffith throwback during the dunk contest to pay homage to the great Dr. Dunkenstein, also a Louisville alum and stellar rookie.
Darrell Griffith will present @spidadmitchell with his #VerizonDunk trophy this Friday 🏆
>> https://t.co/HbHFXK1yVH pic.twitter.com/PFp4Qy6UP2
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 22, 2018
John Stockton also wore this jersey as a rookie. He had 5.6 points per game to go along with an impressive 1.3 steals per game with 5.1 assists per game in his rookie season in 1984. It was a sign of things to come, eventually earning him an NBA all-time record and a statue in front of Vivint SmartHome Arena.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 5: Fans stand in font of statues of Karl Malone and John Stockton before Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs at EnergySolutions Arena on May 05, 2012 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Adrian Dantley was a six-time NBA All-Star and two-time scoring champion while wearing a Jazz jersey. His No. 4 was retired in the rafters at Vivint SmartHome Arena.
6x NBA All-Star ✅
2x Scoring Champ ✅
2x All-NBA Second Team ✅
Jersey #4 retired at @vivintarena ✅Happy 62nd birthday, Adrian Dantley! pic.twitter.com/ZQ3YyjlKGE
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 1, 2018
In popular culture, the fictional Lewis Scott from the movie Celtic Pride became known for beating the Boston Celtics in the movie. We’ll have more on him on later this week.
What’s Next?
The purple Nike classic edition jerseys have been a long-time fan favorite. What would you love to see next? Maybe Nike’s version of the green and gold away jerseys from 1980-84?
