Image courtesy of CAVS.com
It appears that the Cleveland Cavaliers are going for the gold in the 2012-13 season as they will wear gold alternate uniforms at home.
According to Cavs beat writer, Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Cavaliers are due to unveil the new uniform soon.
This move should not come as a surprise to life-long Cavalier fans as gold is one of the original team colors, dating back to the team’s inception into the NBA in 1970 as a expansion franchise alongside the Portland Trail Blazers.
During their history, the Cavaliers have worn gold at home from 1970 until the end of the 1983 season, when they would switch to the World B. Free-era burnt orange, royal blue and white color scheme for the 1983-84 season.
Cleveland would add black and electric—or Cavalier blue—as it was designated to the team’s color palette in 1994, to celebrate the team’s return from rural Richfield to downtown Cleveland.
The Cavaliers would switch back to the wine and gold color scheme in 2003 after landing Akron product, LeBron James, the uniforms would honor the franchise’s past while giving a nod to the recent present by adding a touch a blue to them.
With the Cavaliers decision to wear gold at home, hopefully—and from a fan’s perspective—the gold alternate gives a old-school nod to the past by including the trademark “Marquette-style” white, gold and white side piping that adorned the Cavaliers uniforms from 1974-81.
The “Marquette-style” piping would make a brief return in the Cavaliers navy alternate jersey that would be worn from 2005-2009.
No details are official yet, but hopefully, another nice touch to the gold alternates would be an updated version of the Cavalier’s first logo from 1970 to 1983, which currently adorns the Cavaliers D-League team, the Canton Charge, along with “CAVS” across the front of the jersey.
This is coming from a life-long Cavaliers fan that is confident in Gilbert’s decision and happy to see the Cleveland wearing gold at home again, as it shows that Gilbert truly appreciates the history and tradition of the Cavaliers.
With new owner Jimmy Haslam III—and Tennessee Vols fan—in the fold, there may be the possibility of seeing the Cleveland Browns bring back the orange pants of the “Kardiac Kids” era of the 80’s.
One can hope. Right?
Robert D. Cobb is the NBA Network Manager for Rant Media Network, Featured Writer of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Featured Columnist for the Cleveland Browns and Arsenal Gunners.
In addition to covering the NBA, I also cover MLB, NFL, NHL and Champions League soccer news, rumors and opinions, please follow me on Twitter at @RobertCobb_76
