Old Jazz, Old Warriors, New Jordans

by Sandy Dover

Recently, the Utah Jazz and the Golden State Warriors decided to renew their vows with their old identities and show off their new additions to the NBA Hardwood  Classics catalog. These days, it’s not a total shock to see teams running around looking like they’re from 1989 or 1979, or even 1969, and so, as is the status quo, the Jazz and the Warriors have turned back the clock to remind the fans of those former times.

The Jazz decided to go back to those old days when 30 years ago, the franchise left New Orleans and settled for Salt Lake City. For the ’79-80 season, Utah played in green away uniforms, trimmed in gold, and thus, Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer (among others) broke out the old threads on December 4 (Jay-Z’s birthday…just a random fact). While it was not the most popular or known uniform in the Jazz’s aesthetic history, it holds significance because was the first look for the state of Utah as a NBA representative.

Personally, I think the uniforms are not very attractive, and that may have more to do with the fact that the current duds are much more polished and good-looking. Green and mustard yellow-gold just doesn’t inspire much pleasure as a tandem of hues, and the New Orleans Hornets have decided to go with the same colors for their Mardi Gras alternates (which I’ve already covered and spake to be a tragedy). Alas, memories.

In decidedly better attire, the Warriors of the Golden State of California also revealed a new retro of their old San Francisco home jerseys from the ’63-64 season. An all-yellow-gold jersey (not unlike the Los Angeles Lakers) with navy blue and red trim, the uniforms is straight up and basic with collar and arm hole trim in blue and red with “SAN FRANCISCO” arched across the chest. First worn on December 3, the change was also in tandem of sporadic Hardwood Classics Night games that are selected to be played throughout the ’09-10 season.

My personal opinion of the Warriors new-old look is more positive. By comparison with the current Warriors uniform models, the retro version is less flashy and is easy on the eyes. While there’s no dazzle mesh or big letters blazing over the jersey’s front side, the look is classy, if nothing else. J.A. Adande from ESPN has mentioned before that league teams should be able to have a retro uniform (if applicable) added to their current uniform lineups, so that there’s always that chance of seeing a different and fun look from teams, which I believe to be an excellent idea altogether.

Onto shoes, one of my sneaker informants had the unique opportunity to preview some future 2010 releases from the Swoosh and in so doing, came across the new CP.3 III model. Now, while the new model itself has already been given promo and is currently on Chris Paul’s feet, this particular model is based off of the Air Jordan III “True Blue”, which was released in 2001 as a “Retro +” colorway, and is being called the Jordan CP.3 III Tribute, in honor of Chris Paul’s tribute to Michael Jordan. In white/true blue-gray-varsity red, the CP.3 Tribute looks like the half-brother of the Air Jordan III, making gratuitous use of the famed elephant print, which wraps around the base of the upper almost like a single-piece rand (think of the Air Jordan XI); it’s also no chump when it comes to technology.

The upper is made up of both mesh and leather for breathability and a comfortable fit, while the aforementioned elephant print provides some protection around the foot perimeter; the midsole composed of a full-length sculpted Phylon for comfort and flexibility, while it also houses what seemingly is a pseudo-IPS (Independent Podular Suspension, from the Air Jordan XX, XX1, and XX3) system for increased cushioning and court response time maximization; the outsole builds off of the IPS setup by employing regional honeycomb-shaped areas in the forefoot and heel, where the foot’s pressure points are located, with total underfoot coverage of the herringbone traction pattern for supreme court grip. As of the moment, the CP.3 III Tribute is expected to release in the summer of 2010, possibly in July.

(Much continued thanks to Andrew for the sneaker intel, as always.)

Sandy Dover is a novelist/writer, artist and fitness enthusiast, as well as an unrepentant Prince fan (for real). You can find Sandy frequently here at SLAMonline, as well as at Associated Content and Twitter.