Here is why the Heat keep wearing red on the road

[rmackman]

Heat's true colors? No uniform policy

By Ira Winderman

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Posted June 1 2006

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. · So there must be some sort of strategy involved, right?

There must be something regarding superstition or motivation when it comes to whether the Heat wears its black or red road uniforms, right?

Nah.

"Just a whim," Jay Sabol said. "My whim."

For a franchise where seemingly every last detail is dictated by coach Pat Riley -- from the pattern of the carpeting at AmericanAirlines Arena to the color of paper (blue) on which all correspondence is dispatched -- when it comes to the team's road look, the decision belongs to the team's 42-year-old assistant trainer.

"There's no science to it," Sabol, a Florida International University graduate, said with a laugh. "If I want to wear black, we're going to wear black."

Wednesday's decision was red, so Sabol laid out those jerseys in the visitors' locker room in the hours before Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Pistons.

Sabol said he prefers the black uniforms, the team's original road uniforms, and started the team's playoff road schedule with that choice in Chicago. But after that loss at the United Center, he shifted to red, encouraged Wednesday to keep it that way.

He said he has not been approached by the league's television partners about a color preference.

About the only issue he has dealt with is the red uniforms accentuating sweat stains in some not-so-flattering spots.

"But now that we have the darker reds," he said of a switch made two years ago, "it's not as bad."

But it's noticeable enough that guard Dwyane Wade requests a change of uniform at halftime.

"I sweat more in the red jerseys," he said. "It shows more, so I have to take it off."

Teammate Udonis Haslem laughed that Wade would have such concerns.

"You're supposed to sweat," the power forward said with mock indignation. "That's Hollywood Wade for you."

[TruColor]

This also mentions something I noticed as well - the color of these alt jerseys is a slightly darker Red than what is in their logo. In fact, the alts are mentioned (in the official NBA Color Specificiations document) as being Maroon:

[pittfan11]

Very interesting.

[ShinyHubCaps]

Does it say why Cleveland kept wearing their blue uniforms in stead of their road red? I used to like the blue when it came out, but it's been worn to death. Or how about Detroit wearing that ugly red jersey the other night? Detroit is much better in blue. Or what about Denver in those new alternates? It just seems to me that the playoffs bring out the alternate uniforms that stop looking good if you wear them every other day.

[Braden]

I was browsing jerseys at a local Sports apparel store and it seems at though the Maroon in the Heat alternates are the same as the Wine colour in the Cavaliers road jerseys.

Are their Pantones colours the same, Pantone?

[TruColor]

I was browsing jerseys at a local Sports apparel store and it seems at though the Maroon in the Heat alternates are the same as the Wine colour in the Cavaliers road jerseys.

Are their Pantones colours the same, Pantone?

Great eye...you nailed it.

They're the same.

[spillpronecanvas]

Another reason y they look so much darker then red on the logo is the sweat, ive noticed the jerseys get darker as the game goes on.

[rmackman]

I don't think the reds look exactly the same between Miami and Cleveland, although the Heat jerseys do get a lot darker when sweaty. It's close, but I don't think it's exact.

[officeglenn]

I don't think the reds look exactly the same between Miami and Cleveland, although the Heat jerseys do get a lot darker when sweaty. It's close, but I don't think it's exact.

Hey man, if Pantone says it's the same red ... it's the same red.

Aside from the sweat, though, the Cavs and Heat might look different because of the material used to make the unis. The Heat use that shiny "dazzle" material, while the Cavs have a mesh fabric with a more matte look.

[TruColor]

I don't think the reds look exactly the same between Miami and Cleveland, although the Heat jerseys do get a lot darker when sweaty. It's close, but I don't think it's exact.

According to the official specs, they are.

And, you really can't use photography as evidence. At least, not conclusively.

And, these uniforms are two different fabrics:

Cleveland: Reebok Play-Dry Metallic Stretchair mesh with shimmer inserts.

Miami: Reebok Play-Dry Shimmer.

[cozmocrowe]

I love it when someone calls Pantone out and he slaps them down.

[rmackman]

I didn't call anyone out, I merely stated a thought I had. I'm sure Pantone sees it more as edcuating as opposed to smacking someone down.

[TruColor]

I didn't call anyone out, I merely stated a thought I had. I'm sure Pantone sees it more as edcuating as opposed to smacking someone down.

Hey - sorry if my tone seemed like I was "smacking" you down.

Didn't mean to.

Just - as you said - presenting what I know to the arguement.

[ibsouper]

Does it say why Cleveland kept wearing their blue uniforms in stead of their road red? I used to like the blue when it came out, but it's been worn to death. Or how about Detroit wearing that ugly red jersey the other night? Detroit is much better in blue. Or what about Denver in those new alternates? It just seems to me that the playoffs bring out the alternate uniforms that stop looking good if you wear them every other day.

Thank heavens the Mavs have not used the Green P Diddy jerseys during the entire post -season.

Chris