NBA jerseys have been a popular piece of clothing for decades, both in current and retro versions. Somewhere, Bryant “Big Country” Reeves is probably smiling, knowing that a 7-foot-tall Southern farm boy probably doesn’t look all that awkward in turquoise.

NBA jerseys have been a popular piece of clothing for decades, both in current and retro versions. In the early 2000s, popular rappers embraced retro jerseys as a hot new trend and introduced new audiences to players such as George Gervin, Julius Erving and Pete Maravich.

It's interesting how NBA jerseys have changed over time. Sometimes a team is looking for a fresh start after years of mediocrity and nastiness. Other times, a team moves and needs a new look (although it's not uncommon to retain the old colors of a past location for a few years). There were a lot of trends emerging - bright blues, stars, italic letters, even pinstripes, which are often seen on baseball jerseys. Some jerseys not only represent a team, but also an era. The Atlanta Hawks 's jerseys could have replicated popular interior designs from the 1970s, while the New York Nets' jerseys exude the style and personality that the National Basketball Association prides itself on.

We've put together a collection of photos showing each NBA team's jersey history, as well as images of their current jerseys. Many teams now have several year-round jerseys as sales have become big business in the NBA. This allows for various tributes and testing of new color combinations, but some teams think less is more. For decades, one team in Boston rarely strayed from the script, adding a certain cachet to their simple two-color approach.

While you might laugh or even cringe at some of the jersey styles from years past, some of the same troubled looks are making a comeback as old becomes new. Somewhere, Bryant “Big Country” Reeves is probably smiling, knowing that a 7-foot-tall Southern farm boy probably doesn’t look all that awkward in turquoise. Click through to see how other NBA jerseys have stood the test of time.

Before: Atlanta Hawks

Lou Hudson (pictured) and Pete Maravich The classic Hawks jerseys worn were nothing like the ones we know today. The green and blue can only be described as a true 1970s design, a far cry from the predominantly red look of the Eagles that has been the norm for the past 30-plus years. Another feature of this blue style is the inclusion of Maravich's nickname "Pistol" on the back instead of his last name.

[Pictured: New uniforms released in July 2020. ]

NOW: Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks launched a new uniform in July 2020 for the 2020-2021 season. The design features the team's history, with colors representing the team's drive, commitment and history dating back to 1968.

ago: Boston Celtics

Few NBA jerseys are as recognizable as the Celtics jerseys. Home white with green piping, letters and numbers has been the standard throughout the franchise's glory days, Tommy Heinsohn (pictured), Bill Russell , Bob Cousy , Worn by Larry Bird and several other Hall of Famers.

NOW: Boston Celtics

Even though the Celtics now have a GE sponsor patch, not much has changed with one of the most classic looks in sports. Boston's green and white jersey was rated the second-best NBA jersey of all time by ESPN in 2020, despite being the No. 1 jersey among Massachusetts's many jerseys that don't fit in (more on that later).

ago: Brooklyn Nets

When the Nets play New Jersey on Long Island, their jerseys promote patriotism. Red, white and blue with stars on the sides, it also looks very much in keeping with the ABA, where the Nets played before joining the NBA. The red, white and blue ABA ball is one of the most memorable images in the league.

Now: Brooklyn Nets

When the Nets moved from New Jersey to Brooklyn in 2012, the team's primary colors were changed to black and white - a minimalist design that came from Jay-Z (who was at the time own a small stake in the team). The Nets also helped introduce a circular logo that, while not primarily seen on their jerseys, has been copied by several NBA teams since 2012. Another of the team's infamous BIG-style jerseys (photo by Spencer Dinwiddie) is popular with fans from across the boroughs.

[Pictured: The Charlotte Hornets' old uniforms before their November 2020 redesign. ]

ago: Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets' original jerseys were unique for several reasons. They include pinstripes and lots of teal, two items rarely seen on NBA uniforms before the inaugural season in 1988. Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning made Hornets jerseys a best-seller in the 1990s.

NOW: Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets unify Charlotte's past with the launch of "City Edition" in November 2020. The mint jersey is a nod to Charlotte's historic location, home of the first U.S. Division Mint. The gold and granite pinstripes refer to the 19th-century Caroline Gold Rush and North Carolina's state rock, respectively.

Before: Chicago Bulls

Best known for being the jersey worn by Michael Jordan during his rookie season, Bulls jerseys from the mid-1980s were infamous for the script lettering on the chest. The numbers underneath are another unique touch often found on baseball jerseys. Before Jordan arrived, Artis Gilmore (pictured) built four All-Star teams for the Bulls , all of which featured these themes.

NOW: Chicago Bulls

Over the years, the Bulls have introduced new alternate jerseys (like the black jerseys seen here), but their primary home and away uniforms have remained virtually unchanged for 30 years. A Zenni optical logo is the only noticeable tweak as Michael Jordan and Pippen made the Bulls jerseys a global fashion statement.

Previous: Cleveland Cavaliers

The unique cap piping on the Cavaliers' jerseys certainly stood out on the court, but it didn't lead to many wins during the 1970s - the team only made three playoff appearances that decade. The Cavaliers' jersey colors changed to blue and orange in the 1980s, but with the arrival of LeBron James, reverted to the burgundy/red and gold/yellow combinations.

Now: Cleveland Cavaliers

The current Cavaliers jerseys blend nostalgia with sponsor Goodyear's branding. Variations of the Cavaliers' logo have long included a sword (seen on an alternate jersey here), and the lettering the team adopted "[was] inspired by the concept of a defender and the forward motion of a sword, ” according to the team website.

Before: Dallas Mavericks

Mavericks Defeated the Wranglers and Express to become the nickname of the Dallas NBA team, which was launched in 1980, with green as a major component of the team's brand. The distinctive Dallas font was widely used on uniforms in the 1990s and was used by the likes of Jason Kidd, Jim Jackson and Jamal Mashburn.

Now: Dallas Mavericks

Shortly after Mark Cuban purchased the Mavericks, he redesigned the team's logo and jerseys in 2001, and the influence of modern uniforms remains. Navy lettering replaces silver lettering on the predominantly blue road jersey. At one point, the Mavericks consulted with Didi to design an alternate uniform.

Before: Denver Nuggets

Nuggets Early jerseys had a mining theme, with picks prominently displayed on the chest. Shades of red, yellow and blue appear throughout the franchise's history, making it one of the more colorful journeys (jersey-wise) in the NBA.

NOW: Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets got a massive facelift in 2018, focusing on two tones of blue, yellow and red. By ditching their previous light blue uniforms, the team said they wanted to represent an evolution.

ago: Detroit Pistons

The jerseys of the 1980s Pistons screamed two words: Bad Boys. Isiah Thomas, Dennis Rodman and Rick Mahorn wore straightforward blue and red looks as Detroit won back-to-back NBA championships.

Now: Detroit Pistons

After donning some of the most eye-catching jerseys in NBA history in the 1990s, the Pistons paid homage to their past with a new look in the early 2000s. The classic blue and red continues to this day, worn by the likes of Blake Griffin, who inherited the tough style of other famous players wearing the colors like Ben Wallace and Bill Laimbeer.

Before: Golden State Warriors

Warriors has a great collection of classic looks. The jersey seen here features an outline of the state of California, with a star marking the team's Bay Area location. After Nate Thurmond (pictured) died in 2016, the Warriors wore a patch in his honor on their current uniforms.

Now: Golden State Warriors

In 2010, the Warriors ditched the cartoon style for a fresh, simplified blue and gold package that combined nods to the past and Northern California history. These jerseys have become synonymous with success, as Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have led the Golden State Warriors to five consecutive NBA Finals appearances in these colors.

Before: Houston Rockets

The slanted font brings some futuristic feel to the Rockets jerseys, a theme that the team has replicated over the years. These versions lasted into the 1990s and were worn by the Rockets in 1994 when they won their first NBA championship behind Hakeem Olajuwon.

NOW: Houston Rockets

Like the Warriors, the Houston Rockets underwent a major makeover after ditching their cartoony design. The current red and white color scheme emerged shortly after Yao Ming was selected by Houston in 2002. The Rockets have also used yellow in alternate designs in recent years, dating back to their championship teams in the mid-1990s.

ago: Indiana Pacers

The jersey seen here is one of the Pacers rare chest wordmarks, as the team primarily spells out their nickname in capital letters. In the 1976-77 season, the Pacers' first season in the league, Billy Knight (pictured) was selected as an NBA All-Star.

NOW: Indiana Pacers

After ditching pinstripes in the 2000s, the Pacers maintained a stylish look and paid homage to the state's racing history. Dark blue and yellow (or gold) have long been a staple of the Pacers and have always maintained the current style, the team can be described as popular "homegrown."

ago: Los Angeles Clippers

Before heading west , Clippers is called Buffalo Braves . The Light Blues went on to move to San Diego during the team's time in upstate New York, but were largely abandoned when the Clippers later moved to Los Angeles.

Now: Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers have gone through several jersey changes, including text, capital letters, and initials on the front of the jersey. The team introduced black to its uniforms in 2015, but red, white and blue have always been the dominant colors. The theme Kawhi Leonard posted here is a new alternative version.

Before: Los Angeles Lakers

Although Lakers fans are known for bleeding purple and gold, there was a time when the team was all blue.MinneapolisThe Lakers incorporate a lot of blue into their look, so the first jersey the team wore upon arriving in Los Angeles retained that inspiration.

NOW: Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James comes to Los Angeles and brings new jerseys to the Lakers. The uniforms are similar to the Showtime Lakers style, ditching the side panels but featuring different shades of purple and gold.

ago: Memphis Grizzlies

When the Grizzlies played in Vancouver , their jerseys became one of the most polarizing in NBA history. The light blue base echoed the new jersey trend at the time, but was unique in the comic book-style font and Pacific Northwest collar. Shareef Abdur-Rahim (pictured) now represents a new G Division as president of the NBA G-League.

Now: Memphis Grizzlies

The latest iteration of the Grizzlies jersey is similar to the version worn throughout the 2000s, but without as much yellow. The minimalist look goes well with the team's history as a blue-collar franchise, previously embodied by the likes of Zach Randolph and Mike Conley.

Before: Miami Heat

The original Heat jerseys featured an italic uppercase font with a flame at the tip of the "T". Later in Miami's history, Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway wore these jerseys when the team became a regular playoff participant.

Now: Miami Heat

For nearly 20 years, the Heat have adopted a similar look, with italic capital letters and red side panels. These are the jerseys Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James wore when they won two NBA championships together. Fans, however, raved about the team's fluorescent "Miami Vice" edition jerseys.

Before: Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks are the only team to use red and green as the primary colors on their jerseys. The team switched between green and red letters over the years, winning a championship in that style in 1971, led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (pictured) and Oscar Robertson.

NOW: Milwaukee Bucks

Teams often unveil new jerseys to herald a new era, and the rise of Giannis Antetokounmpo signaled a change in the Bucks' history. The current kit, launched in 2015, is predominantly green but lacks another main secondary colour, which would give the kit a more stylish look. Previously, the Bucks wore jerseys with purple or red accents.

Before: Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves' first jersey wasn't that flashy, even though the team entered the league at a time when other teams like the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets were entering the league, and they chose A more fashionable style. The jersey, notable for not having the full team name, just "Wolves," was later worn by Christian Laettner and Kevin Garnett.

NOW: Minnesota Timberwolves

The newest Timberwolves jersey is somewhat like a football uniform, and is one of the few in the NBA to use horizontal stripes. Green, blue, white, silver and black have appeared in jerseys worn by popular players like Terrell Brandon in the past. The version sported here is an alternative, a nod to the style worn by the Minneapolis Lakers.

Before: New Orleans Pelicans

The first New Orleans basketball jersey was inspired by the Charlotte Hornets, who relocated to Louisiana in 2002. In 2013, the New Orleans basketball team became the Pelicans, and the Hornets' franchise history returned to the franchise's reincarnation currently playing in Charlotte.

Now: New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans 's basketball team has a different uniform history. When the Hornets played in the city, they kept the teal and purple but added a touch of gold.Since the Pelicans debuted in 2013, the team has opted for less flashy colors, giving New Orleans a unique palette in the NBA. However, with Zion Williamson representing a new chapter in franchise history, don't be surprised if the Pelicans signify this transition with an updated look in the coming years.

Before: New York Knicks

The Knicks have always had simple jerseys, with white, orange and blue accents (these colors can also be found on the New York City flag). The version seen here has no outline color.

Now: New York Knicks

The Knicks' jerseys have remained essentially unchanged over the past 50 years, with the occasional addition of a back or side panel. The current look is reminiscent of the look popular in the 1980s when Patrick Ewing was the focal point of the team.

ago: Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder's first jersey is an interesting combination of light blue, orange, yellow, black and white. The team later created alternate jerseys using those colors to honor the state's Native American heritage.

Now: Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder have kept the same jersey style since their inception, except for a few bench players, as shown here. With three of their most iconic players now in different cities (Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and James Harden), perhaps the new look is meant to signal a change of guard.

Before: Orlando Magic

Early Magic jerseys featured pinstripes and a star in place of the "a" for Orlando. Young stars Shaquille O'Neal (pictured) and Penny Hardaway wore these jerseys when they led the Magic to the NBA Finals in 1995.

NOW: Orlando Magic

The Magic have used blue, black and white throughout their existence, although they have fluctuated between the team name and logo on the front of their jerseys. The current look is more classic than some of the flashier themes in the team's history, which included shinier blues and plenty of stars.

ago: Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers, based in the City of Brotherly Love, have mostly maintained a patriotic theme throughout their jersey history. These jerseys, along with the Nets' ABA style, are the only ones featuring the stars on the sides. The font on the jersey is somewhat reminiscent of Pac-Man font.

Now: Philadelphia 76ers

In 2015, the Sixers channeled the roots of their glory days into an all-out patriotic theme. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw a lot of black and even gold in the Sixers' uniforms, but with the return of the stars on the side panels, these stand out.

Before: Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns used to use a font that looked a bit like an Old English font, which helped highlight the concept of the sun. During the 1976-77 season, twins Dick and Tom VanArsdale suited up for Phoenix.

NOW: Phoenix Suns

The current look is quite minimalist compared to other Suns jerseys. Other versions feature the sun (or at least a glowing sun-shaped basketball).

Before: Portland Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers' old jerseys featured script font prominently on the chest and red on the road jerseys. They also wear one of the few NBA jerseys with numbers on the left side, similar to the Bulls' early iterations.

Now: Portland Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers' jerseys have rarely changed their appearance over the past 30 years, aside from the occasional font tweak. Current unis have Portland on the front, while earlier versions had the team's nickname on the chest. The jersey seen here is an alternate jersey, similar to the look of the mid-1970s.

Before: Sacramento Kings

The Kings, formerly known as Cincinnati Royals , have a truly unique look, with the team's nickname running vertically down the side of the jersey.The prominent placement of the numbers also made this Royals version stand out, but it was abandoned shortly after the team moved to Sacramento.

NOW: Sacramento Kings

Large, bold letters in a universal size distinguish these Kings jerseys from others that feature the team name in a script or arch font. Since the mid-1990s, the Kings have largely stuck to purple, white, silver and black, a departure from their earlier blue, red and white uniforms.

ago: San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs almost always stick to black and white (with some silver). These jerseys worn by George Gervin featured the San Antonio arch on the front, which will be discarded in future versions.

NOW: San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have one of the more traditional looks in the league, having been changing up their current specs for over 30 years. The jersey pictured is an alternate jersey and features a rare number pattern on the right chest. For a while, though, the team incorporated cooler Southwestern-inspired colors into its floor designs and warm-up jackets.

Then: Toronto Raptors

The Raptors 's inaugural jersey doesn't hold back, mixing a unique combination of purple and red while featuring a unique font and a prominent dinosaur placed on the front. Also note the numbers hidden under the nickname and on the side of the dinosaur. Vince Carter wore a simpler purple jersey when he won the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest.

NOW: Toronto Raptors

By mid-November 2020, the Raptors released sneak peeks at three of the team's five new uniforms for the 2020-2021 season. The jersey threads the needle between multiple past uniform designs to create a bold new look. The chevron on the chest symbolizes the north and depicts forward momentum.

Before: Utah Jazz

Early Jazz uniforms featured purple, green and gold, colors often associated with Mardi Gras. This made sense when the team played in New Orleans, but it seemed a bit incongruous when the Jazz moved to Salt Lake City.

Now: Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz have a variety of jersey colors, with the current style taking inspiration from the 1980s. Yes, the Jazz moniker may not be appropriate for Utah, but the team didn't win any style awards for the Mountain uniforms they wore in the 1990s (recent alternate jerseys pay homage to that look). These replacements pictured also pay homage to the topography of the American West.

Before: Washington Wizards

Baltimore/Washington Bullets eschew traditional style with lowercase lettering on the front of their jerseys. Notice the different shapes of the Ls? In later years, a ball would be added between to resemble a tip.

NOW: Washington Wizards

The Wizards, like the Timberwolves, feature vertical stripes on the side of their home uniforms. The jersey is somewhat like the version worn 30 years ago, when the team was still called the Bullets . The team changed its name in 1997 to separate from the guns.