The NBA’s City jerseys were established in 2016 in order to enhance each team’s roots and to celebrate the community and culture of their respective cities.
While the uniforms create a lot of buzz online, Kyle Kuzma made it very clear he has an issue with them.
“Nike is ruining the nostalgia of jerseys, every year it’s a new jersey and what gets lost is brand identity,” Kuzma posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Nike is ruining the nostalgia of jerseys, every year it’s a new jersey and what gets lost is brand identity. https://t.co/oVq40s3a5t
— kuz (@kylekuzma) October 16, 2023
The post was quoted from an account that posted leaked photos of the LA Clippers city edition jerseys that are planned to come out.
Each season, the jerseys change. Sometimes they stay relatively neutral to their origin, but that’s not always the case. Just as Kuzma said.
For instance, the Washington Wizards, Kuzma’s current team, paid homage to their MLB counterpart, the Washington Nationals, by sporting uniforms by representing DC’s cherry blossoms.
Kuzma himself posed for the reveal:
City Connect is back for 2022
First up: the Washington Nationals paying tribute to DC’s cherry blossoms and architecture in collaboration with the Washington Wizards 🌸🌸https://t.co/AwqkyJ71ip pic.twitter.com/BzIrNR6DV9
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) March 29, 2022
The collaboration was actually the first Nike one that connected multiple teams in one city with a shared theme.
Kuzma continues to be outspoken on social media in more than just his feelings toward uniforms.
Back in September, Team USA finished in fourth place in the FIBA Basketball World Cup where they lost in the semifinals and didn’t receive a medal. He posted on X saying if the team wants to win, they need better names representing the United States.
“USA basketball better get some NBA stars that know how to play a role,” he wrote. “Anybody can be nice with the ball in their hands but can you be cool with defending and going to the corner for a few possessions?”
Three-time All-Star Devin Booker volunteered.
Unfortunately for Kuzma, it doesn’t look like the city editions are going anywhere. Especially since they’ve even put the colors toward themed courts.
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.