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Memphis Grizzlies Failed to ‘Earn’ Fifth Nike Uniform for 2018-19 Season

By Christian Dudley

MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 31: A close up shot of Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies in the city edition uniforms during a shoot on October 31, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 31: A close up shot of Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies in the city edition uniforms during a shoot on October 31, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Memphis Grizzlies continue to feel the impact of the a disappointing 2017-18 season. This time, it affects their wardrobe for the 2018-19 NBA season.

Nike continues to deliver on the greatest uniform ideas the NBA has ever seen. The brand’s creativity has taken the association to another level, which absolutely involves the Memphis Grizzlies.

Adidas, in the final year of their contract with the NBA, introduced a fourth uniform. This is where the idea for a fourth uniform originally derived. Memphis received special black uniforms commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day.

When the NBA switched from Adidas to Nike uniforms just over one year ago, there was not much change in the design and look of the Grizzlies’ uniforms. The biggest change came via continuing the trend of adding a fourth uniform aside from the customary home, road, and alternate uniforms.

Nike introduced the “City Edition” uniforms. This concept paid homage to each team’s city in very unique ways. The Memphis Grizzlies’ version featured a solid white uniform with black lettering, which shed light on the infamous 1968 strike by Memphis sanitation workers.

The “City Edition” uniforms are remaining consistent under Nike’s reign. For the 2018-19 NBA season, the Memphis Grizzlies have received another excellent design, which features the letters “GNG” on both the jerseys and shorts.

The Grizzlies have worn this latest release once already — November 10th in a home victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The title is “Main Event,” which focuses on the popularity of professional wrestling in Memphis, Tennessee’s culture.

Memphis will wear these uniforms for five more games in the current 2018-19 season. Grizz Nation must cherish these because the franchise will miss out on a potential fifth uniform that Nike plans to release for eligible NBA teams later this season.

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The fifth uniform idea comes with the “Earned” title, meaning the franchise “earned” a trip to the 2018 NBA Playoffs dating back to the late-April timeframe.

16 total NBA teams will receive the “Earned” design, but the Memphis Grizzlies are not one of them. These details were recently leaked, and the early designs are attractive. It would definitely be nice to see “MEMPHIS” plastered across the front of another uniform style, much like the “City Editions” from 2017-18.

Though the Grizzlies finished last season in the next-to-last place in the Western Conference, Grizz Nation has to be happy with the team’s hot start to the new season. 2017-18 brought 60 losses, but it also enabled the team to land the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, which resulted in Jaren Jackson Jr, who is seemingly making history on a nightly basis.

Assuming that Nike will produce an “Earned” theme in a second consecutive season (2019-20), hopefully the Memphis Grizzlies can take part in that hubbub.

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For now, Memphis should absolutely be content with not receiving a fifth uniform in their wardrobe’s arsenal because they are now developing a future face of the franchise that is bound to be a future NBA All-Star if not League MVP.

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