We’re nearing the middle of October, and the 2022-23 NBA season is less than a week away. Teams around the league are making their final preparations, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are gearing up for what could be a special season.
One of the last major events that occurs before the season tips off is the release of new uniforms for the coming season. The Timberwolves already released their new statement edition jerseys in September.
However, one uniform concept that’s yet to officially be released is Minnesota’s new city edition jersey. While the design hasn’t been formally announced, it was leaked to fans through Twitter earlier this week.
The design has a very specific Minnesota-themed inspiration, but it’s safe to say it was disappointing to nearly everyone, even those who understood the design concept.
City edition jersey is Minneapolis-inspired
It’s likely that the jersey was designed to echo the famous Bob Dylan mural in Minneapolis. The jersey features a white background with black logos and trim, with a colorful stripe running down the center of the chest.
Across the board, Timberwolves fans did not hold back in expressing their dissatisfaction with the new jerseys.
timberwolves city edition just dropped pic.twitter.com/4e2QMAvV7h
— lex (@maplewedgie) October 11, 2022
What made this design more disappointing than anything was the contrast from the 2021-22 city edition jersey. While this new design comes off as bland and too niche to understand, Minnesota’s city edition uniforms from last season were almost universally praised by Timberwolves fans and basketball fans in general.
The blue background with the white ‘Wolves’ lettering and green tree trim was an instant classic that paid homage to Minnesota’s beloved standard jersey concept used from 1996 to 2008.
Remember what they took from you https://t.co/OQOgAd6T3O pic.twitter.com/oi2kGRC8rL
— gudy robert (@CountCucula) October 11, 2022
Fans disappointed by lack of tree trim
Some fans were certainly hoping this design would make a return, so to see something that feels overly simplistic and lacking style feels like an extra gut punch to the fanbase.
The new design didn’t have to be a grand slam, but it definitely feels like night and day compared to the 2021-22 threads.
Others took their criticism of the new concept even further, saying they believe the team will have trouble selling jerseys so hideous.
https://twitter.com/brianjheaton/status/1579702796433391617?s=20&t=foIiWNHSWE3cYCKWYM9ELA
As expected, many fans are still enamored with the classic green tree trim. It’s been a fan favorite since the 90’s, and it certainly seems like the Timberwolves can do no wrong whenever they utilize it.
Overall, this was the expected result for a city edition uniform that doesn’t feel like the best representation of what the fanbase loves. The Minneapolis representation is there, but not every fan will connect with that on as deep a level as others.
What brings the fanbase together is the stylish and unique designs that have been common in this franchise since its inception. With this new concept, it’s no wonder Timberwolves fans are disgruntled.