The Miami Heat’s new ‘Statement’ jerseys aren’t new

The Miami Heat aren’t getting a makeover as Nike takes over as the official uniform of the NBA. And that’s okay. Actually, it’s fantastic. I mean, look at what happened to the Timberwolves.

This upcoming season will be the first for Nike taking over as the NBA’s official jersey producer. They are changing several of things up, like getting rid of “Home” and “Away” uniforms and replacing them with “Association” and “Icon” uniforms, which are basically the same thing, but Nike-fied.

In addition to the basic home and away uniforms (that’s what we’re calling them and I don’t care), teams will also feature a pair of alternates, which were officially unveiled Friday at a “Nike x NBA” event.

Players from each NBA team came out onto a stage donning black hoodies before shedding them to reveal Nike’s “Statement” uniform for their respective teams. Some of them were… uh… of questionable taste and brightness.

The Miami Heat’s new uniform however, debuted by Rodney McGruder, was basically the same thing. The Heat and Nike punted on the opportunity to switch of the team’s classic color schemes.

https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/908871029673517058

Nothing–at all–has changed. Which isn’t a bad thing!

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The Heat are taking some flack on social media for not unveiling a cool new uniform. Teams still have other alternates that have yet to be announced, but the Heat are rumored to be using that set as a throwback, which they’ve done for several years. So it seems the Heat won’t be changing things up this season.

But consider the alternative.

Remember when Nike took over as the official uniform supplier for the NFL? Remember that first year for the Miami Dolphins? They didn’t change anything either. Then they did and… well… now they where these AFL-looking disasters instead of these classic threads.

In fact, I’m all for less innovation. The “Black Tie” uniforms are horrendous and, while I appreciate the support for our troops, those military-inspired uniforms gotta go. While we’re at it, the “White Out” jerseys can hit the road, too. Shouldn’t we be celebrating our team colors in the playoffs, not the absence of light?

My only complaint is that the Heat don’t commit to the all red set completely and make it the official Away jersey. I like the black uniforms, but that shade of red is just (kisses fingers like a french chef). The only sports jersey I own is Dwyane Wade’s in that color. It’s perfect. It features all of the Heat’s colors prominently and tastefully, and it just fits. I mean, the black uniforms are great and all, but it’s never a good idea to wear black in the hot South Florida sun. Those red threads are much more South Beach, and I’m glad they’re back.