Fans Can Expect New Looks From Pelicans Soon
NEW ORLEANS- The New Orleans Pelicans are getting a few new looks as soon as next season and it goes beyond the RARE Design-styled jerseys. The court could also look different for at least a few games as well once the NBA's in-season tournament begins.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said with the in-season tournament, the NBA wanted to "create new games of consequence, taking a page from European soccer."
Silver added, "Visually it will look different...The players will be wearing different uniforms. Maybe the court will look different. You’ll know that it’s not just a regular-season game.”
Dec 11, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) high fives guard CJ McCollum (3) during the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports
The final four teams remaining in the in-season tournament will play at a neutral site. Additionally, regular-season games will also count as Cup games, which run through November. After the initial round of the tournament, there will be a knockout round, then pool play, ultimately ending in four teams remaining.
With that many games, fans are sure to see the new uniforms in action at home at least twice. However, the final four teams will likely have to sacrifice at least one home game.
Not counting a refreshed City Edition, fans of the Pelicans could get up to four new jerseys in the next two years if they make the NBA Playoffs and Nike reverses course on its Christmas Day approach.
Only the 16 NBA Playoffs teams get an extra Earned edition jersey. Likewise, only the Christmas Day teams get a special uniform for the day historically, but Nike has been reluctant to continue the trend unfortunately.
If the Pelicans ever do get a black and gold jersey, I believe it will be the in-season tourney special. The reasoning? For starters, the team will not wear a Saints-themed Earned edition in the NBA Playoffs. The league office would likely shoot down that marketing idea on principle.
Furthermore, the City edition is reserved for celebrating the area where the team plays or notable residents. Brooklyn's Biggie and Minnesota's Prince designs were both musically inspired. New Orleans has too much culture to highlight here to just use black and gold.
New Orleans is in line for at least two new jerseys soon though so almost every fan should find an edition that fits them before Opening Night next season.
Read More Pelicans Scoop Articles:
- 5 Games Pelicans Regret Letting Slip Away
- Off-Season Dates To Remember
- CJ McCollum Scheduling Surgery For Next Week
- Larry Nance Jr. Politely Slams Skip Bayless On Twitter
- Pelicans Forgot About Jonas Valanciunas In Lost Season
- What's Going Wrong With The Rotations?
- Zion Addresses Injury Issues Head-On After Practice
