New alternate.

The Spurs unveiled a new alternate uniform for their home opener as well as several other homes games for the upcoming season. Here’s what the Spurs say about it from their official press release in an effort “to keep things fresh”.

“We are introducing a new and unique Spurs jersey this coming season,” said Rick Pych, Spurs Sports & Entertainment President of Business Operations. “The new design simply features our iconic ‘spur’ logo and it is positioned over the heart as it has such enormously deep roots with our team, fans and the entire community. It’s the first-ever NBA jersey logo without any writing or peripheral design on the front of the jersey and we’re very glad to be introducing this new use of the classic icon of the Spurs to our fans.”

The new silver jersey features a distinct, modern look with the Spurs trademark alternate logo prominently featured over the heart on the front, the number resting on the right breast and black and white vertical stripes along the side panel. The familiar Spurs primary logo is represented above the number on the back of the jersey and the accompanying shorts continue the black and white striped side panel and feature a “SA” monogram logo on the left leg.

When I first saw this, I thought that it didn’t really fit the identity of the Spurs. But the more I look at it, the more I realized that the simplicity fits perfectly. The fact that it’s just a logo and the number in the front (a first in the NBA) really took me by surprise.

Unlike the Warriors’ identity, this doesn’t feature the team name. It’s their secondary logo which I think most fans would recognize instantly. And the fact that the logo is centered over the heart and not right down the middle, that adds a unique touch to it.

Despite looking like a rec center uniform, it’s surprisingly very effective. It’s not overbearing with its looks and a silver uniform is also an homage to a design of their past.

Let me break down what I like and don’t like.

PHOTO GALLERY HERE

• Two-tone collar design is simple. It’s not like their current set and I think it’s good not to overpower the uniform with white. Very good trim on this part.
• Number in upper right of jersey works. I usually prefer bigger jersey numbers on NBA uniforms, but with the logo in the middle, I guess I have to accept the placement of this. It has that `90s feel to it.
• The actual logo on the front is fine also. It’s a distinct logo and the fact that it’s not centered will take some time to get used to but I can take it.
• Side piping is completely different from their other set. This is one thing I don’t like. I am on the boat that an alternate should have some similarities to the primary set. The fact that the collar, front design is so different that I at least want one element to be the same. This is the only thing I don’t like and it’s a shame that the trim on the shorts are different from the primary too.
• Logo over last name is a trend that has appeared in the NBA and NFL recently and I feel it’s unnecessary. The team already has their alternate logo in front, so no need to add the primary logo on the uniform anywhere.
• Initials on the shorts. It’s been done before. But this one is unique because unlike other that feature the city and the team name, this one is just the city. But I suppose if the entire set is all about alternate logos, this one fits perfectly. But I think that if the primary logo had to be placed anywhere, it actually makes more sense to put it here instead of on top of the player name on the back. Well, can’t win them all.

Overall grade on this one is a B+. It’s almost there as a perfect alternate. It wasn’t necessary but if the Spurs had to get an alternate, this one was good.

It’s unique enough but I doubt this has a lot of staying power. I see this alternate probably lasting five seasons max before the team scraps it or goes trough an entire uniform set change.