"The Logo" Must Remain the Logo.

There is a small movement bubbling under the surface of genuine relevance that would like to "update" the NBA logo, also known as the best logo in professional sports and a fucking classic.

Mark "Throw as Much Shit Out There as I Can in a Growly Voice so it Sounds Legit" Jackson seems to have assumed the role of the Pied Piper of this ridiculous notion during one of his recent broadcasts during the NBA playoffs:

Recently, during an NBA playoff broadcast on ESPN, color commentator Mark Jackson made the remark that the Traditional NBA Logo should be officially "changed to Michael Jordan".

Jackson said, "The NBA needs to change the logo to Michael Jordan," implying that the current logo is outdated.

Here is a mock up of what Jackson and his minions, who presumably didn't know there was a league before 1986, would prefer:

A site called logoblog.org chimed in on this and seems to share Jackson's opinions:

Vibrant colors of the NBA logo correlate with the vibrancy of the fast paced game of basketball. The National basketball Association’s logo features Jerry West, also known as “Mr. Clutch” on their NBA logo.

Jerry West will live on the NBA logo for many years to come. Jerry West who lived in West Virginia joined Minneapolis Lakers in 1960. He moved to Los Angeles with his team that year and the next 14 years, Jerry’s career were full of action.

He was an enthusiastic player. He tops the list as being one of the greatest guards ever known in the history of basketball. He broke his nose nine times during the games and had to be carried out.

Jerry West retired in 1974.

Many players and the league members are of opinion that time has come to change the NBA logo. After retirement of Jerry West in 1974 they think it is way past time to retire the logo as well. High cut of shorts and the emphases on dribbling shows that basketball is a horizontal game.

Other than the part about the vibrancy of the colors correlating with the vibrancy of the league, I couldn't disagree more. It is truly a classic, and changing it to Jordan, or Kobe, or LeBron would seriously cheapen it's impact and also somewhat render the rich history of the league irrelevant. What comes next? Change it again in 15 years to Derrick Rose or Dwight Howard?

Besides, the colors and classic silhouette of the NBA logo have proven to be so effective that they have been routinely ripped off by other sports leagues and businesses:

Motocross for chrissakes!

I'm sure there are more examples that I couldn't find. Shit, the freaking softball team that was sponsored by the Lakewood Landing, the bar I hang out at in Dallas, even aped the NBA design.

While I think the idea is ridiculous, Jerry West himself agreed with the concept recently during a Bill Simmons podcast, but I think this is more a case of Mr. Clutch showing respect to Jordan and the current players in the league. Besides, what do you think he is going to say, "Hell no! I am the fucking Logo! The Logo dammit!"

Hopefully this is the last time you, or I, ever has to even think about this topic.