Throwback vs. Fu-Back: Chicago Bulls

In this segment, we will discuss comparisons between throwback logos and uniforms, and 'fu-backs', or the throwbacks revived in a contemporary sense. The suffix 'fu' stands for future, if you don't know. Our next feature focuses on the Chicago Bulls.

The first incarnation of the current Bulls
uniforms debuted in 1985, and stayed
until 1992. Note the reflected light on the
silk-screened uniform.

The Bulls' jerseys have remained virtually the same since it debuted in 1985. Basically the front of the jersey, home or away, were untouched. However, the back of it have shown substantial changes, such as two-toned and serifed player names in 1992, and the addition of the angry Bulls logo in 2004. The uniforms also paved the way for the successful Bulls dynasty of the 1990s. 

Most NBA teams in the 1980s use silk-screen printing on their uniforms, and the Bulls were no exception. When they debuted their current uniforms, they kept the back of the uniform intact, but made the numbers in front larger and centered. On the home uniforms, the Bulls wordmark was modified to appear enlarged and in a straighter arch. On the away uniforms, the 'Chicago' cursive wordmark was replaced by the said 'Bulls' wordmark. The very first season of the new uniforms saw Michael Jordan score a playoff single-game record 63 points in a playoff game at Boston. 

The uniforms were also worn when Jordan made the game-winning playoff shot at Cleveland in 1989, and then followed with a 69-point effort the next year. In the final two seasons of this incarnation, the Bulls won their first two NBA championships in 1991 and 1992.

Derrick Rose wearing the current 
Bulls jerseys, now in the Adidas
Revolution 30 cut.

Before the 1992-93 season, the Bulls made minor changes to their uniforms. They no longer use silk-screen printing; instead they returned to the traditional sewing method. The players' names are now serifed and color-trimmed accordingly. This incarnation would remain during the Bulls' final two seasons at Chicago Stadium, and their subsequent move to the United Center in 1994. The Bulls won the next four NBA titles in this incarnation, including a record 72 victories in the 1995-96 season. 

Prior to the 2004-05 season, the Bulls made another minor addition to their uniform. They added the Bulls logo atop the back side of the uniform. Though the Michael Jordan era was behind them, the uniforms remain popular among fans. Today, the uniform is manufactured in the current Adidas Revolution 30 cut, which is lighter in weight and production than previous uniforms. And the Bulls return to winning form the past two seasons, mainly due to the All-Star exploits of Chicago native Derrick Rose.

The Bulls also introduced black alternate uniforms during their 72-win 1995-96 season. Initially it was a stripped-down version of the regular Bulls uniforms (no diamond, pinstripes added), but in 1997 the pinstripes were removed, and then the city name marked its return before the 1999-2000 season. The Bulls logo was added on the back of the uniforms before the 2003-04 season, and then the red diamond was added before the 2006-07 season. With minor changes, the Bulls continue to wear the alternates on select road dates, but they have never worn them in postseason play. 

A green version of the road uniforms debuted before the 2005-06 season, and were worn on St. Patrick's week during March. Other than the Bulls logo keeping its red color, the uniform is all green. A Latin-flavored version of their red uniforms are also worn during the month; the only change was 'Los Bulls' in front. They were worn as part of the NBA's Noche Latina program, which has been in place since 2007.

The Bulls' iconic uniforms have not only brought them success, but also recognition and approval. Perhaps no one can change the Bulls' classic look, not even in a period of modernization and progress. Whether clamoring for the throwback or the fu-back, the Bulls' uniforms will remain attached in the hearts of Bulls fans forever. However, what is my say here?

The winner: Fu-back. Makes it more recognizable with the Bulls logo on the uniform and shorts, thus it is more identifiable with fans. 

Throwback vs. Fu-Back: Baltimore Orioles

In this segment, we will discuss comparisons between throwback logos and uniforms, and 'fu-backs', or the throwbacks revived in a contemporary sense. The suffix 'fu' stands for future, if you don't know. Our next feature focuses on the Baltimore Orioles.

Logo

The Orioles revived the iconic cartoon bird logo in late 2011. This logo is closely identified with the team through three World Series triumphs in 1966, 1970 and 1983. The modern version is as detailed as ever, featuring the alternate O's logo on its cap and a sleeker look. The new logo replaced the 'ornithologically correct' Oriole logo which they used from 1989-2011.

Uniforms

The new orange jerseys and the old
orange jerseys, side by side.

While the cartoon bird was the only change, in the uniform department, they revived the orange jersey for Saturday home games. The Orioles have used an orange alternate jersey on several occasions throughout their history. From 1971-72, they wore a full-bodied orange uniform. In 1975, they brought back the orange jersey, but not the knickers, and used them from 1975-92, with the exceptions of the 1983, 1985 and 1986 seasons. From there, they switched to black alternates starting with the 1993 season, and have used them since. 

Comparing the previous orange jerseys to the current ones, on the new jerseys, the wordmark 'Orioles' appears with better calligraphy than it did in the previous incarnations, while the Maryland flag badge appears on the left sleeves. Orioles fans have immediately accepted the new duds just as the return of the cartoon bird was well-received.

The current home jerseys, as seen
on Matt Wieters, have combined
the classic 70s look with the
90s typeface.

And if you were wondering, the current Orioles jerseys (home whites, road greys, black alternates) remained the same from previous years. The home set, in particular, was a mix of the old and the new, with a predominantly orange lettering inspired from the 1970s and 1980s set, and the 's' tail extending to the bottom of the word 'Orioles' having stayed virtually the same since the 1990s. They, along with the orange alternates, are paired with the two-tone headwear featuring the aforementioned cartoon bird and white in front. 

The road greys, in use since 2009, feature 'Baltimore' on the script, their first instance of the city name used on the uniforms. Other than that, the lettering colors have stayed the same since 1995. The road headwear is black all over, again with the cartoon bird.

The black jerseys were introduced in 1993, and with the exception of white trim in the 1990s and the use of the alternate 'O's' cap since 2005, have also remained unchanged. The black jerseys are currently used on Friday games, home or road. However, they never had an 'O's' batting helmet, instead using their cartoon bird helmets.

Bringing back the cartoon bird makes more sense, isn't it? The Orioles history is closely identified with this classic look, and fans love it. The uniforms are a mix of classic and modern styles, and the orange alternates brought back a sense of nostalgia and attitude among old and new Orioles fans. If they win the World Series this year, then this look may top all 'best uniform' lists this year. The winner: Tied

Throwback vs. Fu-Back: Buffalo Sabres

In this segment, we will discuss comparisons between throwback logos and uniforms, and 'fu-backs', or the throwbacks revived in a contemporary sense. The suffix 'fu' stands for future, if you don't know. For our first feature, we have the Buffalo Sabres. 

Dark Jerseys

Pat LaFontaine and Jason Pominville in the old and
new blue uniforms

The Sabres joined the NHL in 1970, and their initial logo was a bison jumping above two crossed swords inside a blue circle, with a yellow border complementing it. The logo was later revived in the 2008-09 season as an alternate before replacing the infamous 'Buffaslug' logo in 2010. In the two versions, the blue is noticeably darker in the latter, with a piping of silver and front uniform number added for a more modern look. Otherwise both dark jerseys, as seen on Pat LaFontaine and Jason Pominville, look similar. The jerseys are more than just classic, they are closely identified with the history of the Sabres.

Light Jerseys

Pat LaFontaine and Jason Pominville in the old and 
new white uniforms

The white version of Buffalo's iconic sweater mirror that of their dark counterparts, with front numbers, darker blue and silver piping added in the current uniforms. Their purposes of use also differ. The original white jerseys, as seen on Pat LaFontaine, had always been worn at home, while the current ones, as seen on Jason Pominville, are the assigned road uniforms, although they have worn them at home once every season. The original jersey, through minor changes, were worn during the infamous 'Fog Game' in the 1975 Stanley Cup Finals, and the iconic Brad May goal in the 1993 playoffs against the Bruins.

Perhaps it was the right thing for the Sabres to return to the modernized classic logo and uniforms in the 2010-11 season, after experimenting with the red, black and silver motif from 1996-2006, and the infamous 'Buffaslug' logo from 2006-10. After all, fans love, admire and enjoy the classic look. However, it may have been better to stick with the classic hues of blue and gold in order to emphasize both tradition and excellence. The winner: Throwback