A Look at the Best NBA Basketball Jersey Design 2019 Collections and Trends
As I was browsing through sports merchandise sites the other day, I stumbled upon ticket sales for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship, and it struck me how much uniform design has evolved across different sports. Having collected basketball jerseys for over a decade, I've developed a particular fascination with how NBA teams approach their visual identity. The 2019 season was especially remarkable for jersey design innovation, blending nostalgia with forward-thinking aesthetics in ways that still influence sports apparel today. What made this year particularly special wasn't just the quality of individual designs, but how teams managed to create cohesive collections that told compelling stories through fabric and color.
I remember walking into the Nike NBA Connected Jersey store in New York back in 2019 and being genuinely impressed by how much thought went into that year's designs. The Miami Heat's "Vice" uniforms absolutely stole the show for me - that beautiful gradient from blue to pink wasn't just visually striking, it perfectly captured Miami's vibrant nightlife culture. The numbers alone were impressive - the Heat reported a 47% increase in jersey sales during the first month those uniforms were available. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers' "City Edition" jerseys took a completely different approach, drawing inspiration from the city's rich history with a bold "Brotherly Love" motif across the chest. I've always preferred jerseys that feel connected to their communities, and Philadelphia nailed it by incorporating elements from the city's flag and that distinctive blue hue reminiscent of their historical landmarks.
What many casual observers might not realize is that 2019 represented a pivotal shift in how teams approach alternate jerseys. Before this season, alternate uniforms were often simple color variations, but 2019 saw teams treating them as legitimate storytelling vehicles. The Golden State Warriors' "The Town" edition, featuring that iconic oak tree design, paid homage to Oakland's heritage in a way that resonated deeply with local fans. I spoke with several season ticket holders who told me these jerseys felt like wearing a piece of neighborhood pride rather than just team merchandise. The Los Angeles Lakers' "Earned" edition, with that stunning black mamba pattern honoring Kobe Bryant, demonstrated how jerseys could serve as moving tributes - though technically released in 2020, the design process began in 2019 and reflected the emotional storytelling that characterized the year's approach to uniform design.
The business side of these designs cannot be overstated. League officials reported that jersey sales increased by approximately 28% overall in 2019 compared to the previous year, with the City Edition jerseys accounting for nearly 42% of that growth. Teams that embraced bold, location-specific designs saw the biggest bumps - Utah's "Note" jerseys featuring the state's landscape silhouette saw a 63% increase in local sales, while Portland's "Rip City" plaid design became such a phenomenon that they temporarily couldn't keep them in stock. From my perspective, the success of these designs proved that fans crave authenticity and local connection over generic league-wide aesthetics. The most successful jerseys weren't just visually appealing - they felt like they belonged specifically to their cities and couldn't have worked for any other franchise.
Looking back, the 2019 NBA jersey collections established design principles that continue to influence how teams approach their visual identity. The balance between honoring tradition and embracing innovation created some of the most memorable uniforms in recent history. While I have my personal favorites - that Miami Vice gradient still hangs proudly in my collection - what impressed me most was how consistently strong the designs were across the league. Even teams with traditionally conservative approaches like the San Antonio Spurs took creative risks that paid off beautifully. As we look toward future sports apparel trends, the 2019 NBA season stands as a masterclass in how to blend commerce, community, and creativity through jersey design. The lessons from that year continue to resonate, reminding designers that the most powerful uniforms do more than just look good - they tell stories that connect teams to their cities and fans to their heritage.