words // Zack Schlemmer
images // Nick DePaula
Let me just start out by saying that you'll never catch me rooting for the Miami Heat (OK, maybe if they're playing the Lakers). With that being said, you may be wondering why I selected this Miami Heat throwback jersey to be added to my personal collection. Well, because even though I hate the Heat (I won't get into why here, but some of the reasons should be fairly obvious to anyone not from Miami or on their bandwagon), this is one of my favorite basketball uniforms of all time.
The original Heat uniforms (1988-1999) are great enough already, but there's something about this red alternate that the team wore from the mid-to-late 90's that makes the overall design even better. The big blocky numbers, the fireball logo on the shorts, the stripes that only go down one side for some reason, the bold and bright red color...it's a thing of beauty!
So, since I am not going to rock any of their current players, I decided to pick a player from when they actually wore the uniforms (and when I didn't dislike the team so much) when selecting my Miami Heat Hardwood Classics REV30 jersey to customize, compliments of the fine folks over at adidas. There were a few good options - Tim Hardaway, Alonzo Mourning, Jamal Mashburn -- maybe John Crotty or Voshon Leonard if I wanted to go a little more obscure -- but I decided that I had to go with Dan Majerle A.K.A. Thunder Dan.
Although most known for being a member of the Phoenix Suns, Majerle also put in a few good years as a member of the Heat from 1996 to 2001. A three-time All Star, Majerle was a versatile player who could do a little of everything (dunks, defense, perimeter shooting) and helped the Heat become a perennial playoff team in the late 90's - the first period of playoff success in the franchise's history.
Now let's check out the images below for a detailed look at the adidas REV30 jersey saluting former Miami Heat player Dan Majerle. Rumour has it that the Heat will be wearing this throwback uniform again next season, so look for them again on the court soon.
