Cracker Barrel’s decision to cave to conservative backlash and scrap its new minimalist logo made me think … With Cracker Barrel bringing back the overalled older gentleman known as “Uncle Herschel” leaning up against a barrel, which logo from the Nuggets’ past should be brought back?
And the answer, at least to me, is glaringly obvious: Revive those glorious rainbow skyline uniforms. Permanently.
The Black Skyline is Back, But Not the Same
Don’t get me wrong. I, like many of you, applauded the team’s decision to turn back to the black skyline uniforms worn throughout the 2020 bubble run for next season. I’ll never forget Jamal Murray’s exploits in those sharp unis during the course of this era’s first Western Conference Finals run.
The team clearly gets that nostalgia sells. But, to me, something is missing from the new-age skyline jerseys: the vibrant rainbow.
The 2018-19 and 2019-20 rainbow skyline uniforms, inspired by the iconic ‘80s originals, feature a sort of muted rainbow made of thin lines in front of the Denver skyline. The bolder originals, in contrast, use a more striking rainbow, with brighter solid colors splashed across a white jersey with blue trim or a blue jersey with gold trim.
The ‘80s rainbow skyline iteration represents an era when franchises weren’t afraid to be bold and uniforms had a personality and a deeper connection to the fans cheering those colors on.
To me, the vibrant colors and skyline give those uniforms a uniquely Denver vibe. One that remains unmatched. And Denver Stiffs’ Nuggets jersey rankings back this sentiment up: The “Rainbow Skyline” topped the (semi)definitive list as the best in Nuggets history.
If you ask me, we’re settling for the return of the black skyline when the real masterpiece is just sitting in storage, collecting dust.
Creating the Colorado Connection
The current Association and Icon editions are fine. Nothing spectacular. The flatirons red, sunshine yellow, and midnight blue colors create a gorgeous tribute to Colorado’s natural beauty and our state flag. But imagine those same Colorado-inspired colorways enhanced by the rainbow skyline treatment.
A uniform intimately tied to the city’s basketball history and the state’s identity can help our Nuggets stand out with local pride and global recognition. They’d create a unique visual identity that no other franchise could replicate.
Bring Back the Rainbow Skyline — For Good
In Cracker Barrel’s situation, organized fan pressure worked. With NBA teams listening more than ever to fan voices on branding decisions, Nuggets Nation needs to demand that the rainbow skyline return as a permanent fixture.
I’m not arguing that we boycott the team until the change is made — that’d be silly — but let’s make it clear that we want the rainbow skyline uniforms back where they belong. And that’s draped over the shoulders of the basketball players representing the Mile High City.
If conservatives could mobilize enough outrage over a restaurant logo to force a multinational corporation to reverse course, we can generate enough passion to bring back basketball’s most beautiful uniforms, right?