Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Ranking every Phoenix Suns uniform ever

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 11: Tom Chambers #24 of the Phoenix Suns boxes out against Buck Williams #52 of the Portland Trailblazers during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals as part of the NBA Playoffs on May 11, 1992 at the Arizona Veterans Coliseum in Phoenix, Arizona. The Portland Trailblazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 153-151 in double overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1992 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 11: Tom Chambers #24 of the Phoenix Suns boxes out against Buck Williams #52 of the Portland Trailblazers during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals as part of the NBA Playoffs on May 11, 1992 at the Arizona Veterans Coliseum in Phoenix, Arizona. The Portland Trailblazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 153-151 in double overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1992 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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5. Fireball Purple

NEW YORK – 1993: Charles Barkley #34 of the Phoenix Suns rebounds during a game played circa 1993 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK – 1993: Charles Barkley #34 of the Phoenix Suns rebounds during a game played circa 1993 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The buildup for the new look in 1992-93 was tremendous. Not only was it the franchise’s 25th Anniversary season, the franchise was opening a brand new arena, Cotton Fitzsimmons had announced several yeas before that he would retire in 1992 leading to a new coach (Paul Westphal), the Suns traded for super-megastar Charles Barkley, and to tie it all together, the players would represent the Suns with an entirely new look, including logos and uniforms, for the first time in the franchise’s history.

Go ahead, Suns fans, catch your breath after all that.

To add further suspense before the announcement, the team wore their original jerseys for the franchise’s eight preseason games. (That’s why, for the younger fans, you can still find pictures of Charles Barkley in the original uni’s and not the fireball one’s we all know and cherish.) If you recall, however, it was local news sports anchor Mike Chamberlin who leaked the new logos and look before the franchise had a chance to officially announce.

These uniforms are classic. The fireball across the chest was not just unique, but revolutionary.  The Suns have often credited themselves as the first team to have a silkscreen print fade of colors with the flames emanating from the ball, which let’s face it – whether in 1992 or today:

It. Looks. Cool.

The only thing about this jersey that slips it down from the very top of the list is the fact that purple actually prevents the flames from truly popping the way they were intended. That slight bit of muting is it’s only negative (if you can even call it that), although the two other jerseys that were used, more than show of the flash of color and excitement that the overall look is intended to present.

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