So you know I couldn’t resist. Being the resident Uni-Nerd I had to chime in on the Cavs newest threads. As always, what follows is strictly my opinion…
The Cavs debuted the new ‘CavFanatic’ uniforms against the Knicks this week. They will wear the alternate set 4 more times this season. They are called CavFanatic because of the “social networking platform” that the Cavaliers established and encourage fans to join. I’ve not paid much attention to the CavFanatic message board, or Facebook page much, but I do know that they host events. Seems like a Browns’ Backers ‘type’ of organization. (I said type of organization, please don’t send letters if you have a strong opinion on either of these groups.)
Originally, I assumed that someone on the CavFanatic board must have designed these uniforms, or at least that the group got to vote on which design they wanted to see made into a set. That isn’t the case however-
Designed with CavFanatics in mind, the 2011-12 navy blue jersey will feature Wine & Gold numbering and lettering, as well as the traditional jersey tag that displays the Fanatic mantra, “Stand Up. Stand Out.”
“With the CavFanatics in mind.” Not sure what that means, other than “we hope they’ll like them enough to buy them”.
Background aside, let’s review the uniforms.
You have to start with the color. Watching the game live on Wednesday, I don’t know if I would have called them navy blue. They seem a touch light for navy, but whatever. I suppose the blue seemed like a strange choice because the team decided to get rid of the blue altogether during the latest redesign. No more blue in the logo or wordmark. And these uniforms kind of show why.
The mustard yellow, and ketchup red just don’t go together with the blue. The yellow by itself works with the blue. The red by itself works with the blue. All three together? I’m not seeing it.
The yellow actually looks sharp against the blue in my opinion. Especially the waistband. I’m not sure what color other than the red would work with these. Perhaps white would be sharp. Yes, I’m aware that leaving out the red would be taking away the team’s primary color. I contend that making the uniforms blue kind of already did that. And these are supposed to be just fun for the fans right?
I like the return of “Cavs” to the jerseys. At least for an alternate. A reminder of the Wilkens/Fratello era Cavaliers. Upon closer inspection, the font is the same as the font used on the current set of uniforms. It may be a bit larger or bolder, but it is the same style. Numerals included.
I think giving the nod to fans in some way is admirable. Especially in a very visible way. I do like that these are going to be used only on specific dates. The old alternates had a way of sneaking in every once in a while for no reason. Of course, if they had an alternate set I loved, I suppose I’d be calling for them more often. Especially if they didn’t make the team look like the McDonald’s all-americans.
That’s my opinion. How did you like them?
