I hustled a vintage 1996 Stephen Marbury Timberwolves jersey by Champion. This jersey’s special as it was made in what would be the final years of Champion issuing jerseys for the Twolves. Starter soon took over the licensing agreement for replica jerseys from the 97-98’ season.







This 1996-97 was the first season the simple yet instantly symbolic lake blue and forest green jerseys were worn, representing the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’. The most noticeable of differences between the Champion and Starter jerseys is the famous green tree trimming found on the Starter jerseys (damn I wish I had one of those) paying homage to the 42,000,000 acres of state forest in Minnesota.

The jersey is most easily recognisable alongside one of the greatest power forwards of all-time, Kevin Garnett. Let’s not forget the beginning of the jersey also marked Marbury’s rookie year in the NBA. Marbury was drafted 4th overall in the 1996 draft by the Milwaukee Bucks but was immediately traded to the Twolves in exchange for the draft rights to Ray Allen and a future first-round pick.

The jersey was worn up until the 2007-08 season and Minnesota fans will have fond memories of the jersey as the team made eight-straight postseason appearances in them which included a 2003-04 run to the Western Conference Finals.

The font in the jersey looks more suited to a horror movie, which says something about the 90’s in general. It has to be one of the most memorable decades when it comes to jerseys. NBA team jerseys in the 90’s had either a cartoonish animal or logo on their jersey.

The aesthetics of the 90s whether for better or worse is debatable — perhaps the childlike cartoon jerseys makes them even more of a collectible and nostalgic. So here are 8 of the best (or worst) jerseys from the decade:

#8: Detroit Pistons The Pistons kick off what was largely a teal era in the NBA. The demonic horse adds flare and fits right in with the decade of cartoon jerseys. #7: Philadelphia 76ers Can you get any more American than the 76ers swooshing stars of the 90’s? #6: Seattle Supersonics The dark forest green is intense to say the least. Too bad there isn’t a team in Seattle no more. #5: Milwaukee BUCKS The buck on the jersey is so 90’s, straight outta clipart. #4: Orlando Magic the pinstripes on the magic jersey is so … magic. #3: Phoenix SuNS The sun, or comet sun, screams 90’s nostalgia. they’re fire. #2: TORONTO RAPTORS straight outta jurassic park, a nostalgic dream watching Vince Carter with a huge dinosaur on his chest. Notice the dinosaur’s wearing the wrong jersey? #1: Vancouver Grizzlies This is without doubt the dopest jersey of the 90’s. In six seasons in the NBA the Grizzlies failed to make the playoffs. At least they gave us this beauty.





