Double Helix wrote:Los Manos wrote:yeah triplemk23 I swapped colours out of curiosity too and thought they looked kinda cool but something doesn't sit right with me with those saying to just swap Raptors onto the uni's and we're good. I suppose that on the one hand you could argue that it's a homogenisation of the entire history of basketball in the city by using the belt loops etc... but really it would just be pure vanity. If Raptor fans want to keep the name and embrace our 90's roots to celebrate 20 years then really the entire look needs to reflect those original uni's - just toned down, modernised and simplified. Which is possible but it's a challenge. After that poll the other day it did highlight that twice as many fans want to keep Raptors over those who want a change, which is pretty conclusive.
I was always on the fence and still am so I think I'll try and give a Raptors re-brand a proper go too. I can only see one real path to making it work though if you want it to really connect with those passionate enough about the name to keep it is to embrace the roots. Otherwise it would be just another empty re-brand. There are nice elements to the original uni's and warm-ups, but overall I thought they were gaudy and too brash. But it might be interesting to take the nicer elements and tone it all down.
Do fans generally agree with that kind of thought process or really do they just like the name but want a total fresh start with regards to how the team looks? Neither is the sure way to do it but my personal thoughts are that to celebrate 20 years of the Raptors it needs to have a fairly strong link to the past. Let me know your thoughts.
The problem is that the original Raptors jersey has never been good. It's just taken on this " so bad it's good" comeback like Hall and Oates, neon green shades and acid washed jean jackets have. It's cool with the kids who didn't grow up with it and see it as ironic and vintage since it makes such a brash and bold statement. It's the "Don't have a cow man" of NBA jerseys.
I think that vintage shelf life will be short lived like ironic truckers caps and ribbed t-shirts with 70s designs are now. I'm not sure you want to go back there too much.
That said, it would be nice to take a design element somewhere in order to bridge the designs and pay homage to the 90s in some way but I just looked at them and, honestly, what are you going to take? The big logo on the front? I hope not. Logos on the front rarely work. The pin stripes? Not so sure about that. That 1990s word mark? Perhaps. I've seen some incorporate it (that slash design has it, I think) and I didn't hate the way it looked. I don't love that font but if you were to take one aspect I guess that could potentially work.
Honestly, I'd prefer a total refresh. I have an idea but I can't draw it so I'm going to try my best to describe it as I think it could be both innovative and stylish if somebody with skills could pull it off. I'll describe it in my next post.
Could this homage some talk about just be an alternate jersey. Not even a third but an alternate like....the huskies one from 2-3 years ago. Just worn a few time a year.
Honestly anything from that original jersey for an entire season will hurt my eyes unlike the new ones which i can stare at for days!!!
