New Phoenix Suns City Edition jersey leaked?

An homage to the 1995 All-Star game with a flair of the Wild West font. Hmmm…

You know you’re close to the start of the season when the City Edition leaks begin. Every year, the Phoenix Suns, along with every other team in the NBA, released one new and unique jersey. The goal? To make money…err…to represent the city in which they play, whether it be via cultural reference, historical acknowledgment, or region-specific language.

As a result of this initiative, which the NBA began in 2016, we’ve been introduced to some nice threads: the Valley jerseys, numerous takes on Los Suns, the turquoise uniform set two seasons ago, and the El Valle concept last year.

As we approach the 30th anniversary of the 1995 All-Star Game held in Phoenix, the Suns are celebrating by paying tribute to the distinctive uniforms worn by the All-Stars that February. This homage reflects the enduring legacy of that iconic event and its impact on the team’s history.

The iconic cactus and star. The patterns on the side. The font. The uniforms worn during that All-Star game were more than just a jersey; they were a statement. And very 90’s. Dana Barros, who appeared in the game as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, fondly remembers the threads.

“It was dope,” Barros remembered. “I thought it was something different and something unique. It wasn’t the same old just East-West color combo. The cactus represented where you were at. The purple colors and the orange color scheme…I just thought it was dope to look at.”

Scottie Pippen had his thoughts as well. “I thought it was a nice uniform. When I held it up, I thought it was a Phoenix Suns uniform. It’s a nice color. And it looked good on me, too.”

Now, we take a look at the Suns’ 2024-25 City Edition homage jersey, which takes elements of the 1995 All-Star jersey, mashes them together with the Wild West font that I love so dear, and sprinkles in the moniker we’ve grown to love with “The Valley.”

I love that the team is recognizing one of the greatest All-Star Game jerseys in the NBA’s history—or at least one of the most beloved—with this jersey. But to be honest…you ever feel like something is so close to being epically great, but also so close to being trash? It’s a thin line, and I feel like this jersey is doing the Macarena all over it.

What I Like

The color scheme? On point. I’m always a fan of more purple. Why? Because this is the Phoenix freakin’ Suns. PLNT ORNG can stay in the 2000’s. The Wild West font?! It’s one of my all-time favorites, so using it will always create upvotes for me. The side pattern, the star…it’s darn near perfect.

What I Don’t Like

But, like, where’s the cactus? The cactus in the 1995 All-Star Game was iconic, and it should have been included somewhere on the jersey. I’m sure it’ll make its way onto the shorts, and if it is large and on the side panel, we’re good. But if it’s just on the belt logo, that’s a miss.

And while I love the Wild West font, something about how it’s presented just feels a tad off. Maybe “The” wasn’t needed in this case. Or maybe it’s just me. But it does feel a little lazy.

Yeah…what Suns Uni Tracker proposed would’ve been better…

Final Verdict: 6.8/10

I’m not sold, but I will buy. You know the Suns will release some great gear for this, featuring plenty of nostalgic 90s throwback styles. Ugh. It’s a good thing my birthday is in October because I will be buying some of this gear. I’m 41 now, so I don’t buy jerseys. I buy jersey shirts, and I know I will be buying one of these.

There is plenty left on the table with these. I’m sure the hype videos will be awesome, but the design just misses.