Every NBA Cup court design, ranked from best to worst for in-season tournament
Custom courts are back for the NBA Cup in-season tournament. Let’s rank the designs.
The NBA revealed their court designs for the Emirates NBA Cup, and I’ve got to say, most of these are just … fine. Some of the designs are pretty fun, but largely I think the courts are just okay. Some of the on-court designs are much better than last year, but none that truly stand out in a good or bad way.
However, we’re here to tier list and rank the top courts, regardless. So that’s what we’re going to do. Here are my rankings of the NBA Cup Courts that are on display this season.
S-Tier
You’ll see in this tier there’s a lot of courts with the skyline in the court. I’m a big fan of Dallas’ skyline and the blue works really well. I’m a big fan.
Second verse, same as the first. I really like having the stars with the championships inside of them. It’s another great homage and touch for a team that’s won a lot of titles.
Sensing a trend? Outside of the skyline, I like having the Knicks name on the baselines instead of the sidelines. It gives it a much cleaner look that I can really appreciate.
A-Tier
Charlotte Hornets
Look I’m not the biggest fan of “The Hive is Alive,” but I like the honeycomb on the court. The contrasting colors make it work without being super annoying and an eyesore. Pretty fun court!
Chicago Bulls
Simple, clean, effective. The black and red always work, and the Bull in the background isn’t actually too bad, like some others we’ll see later.
Miami Heat
The top of the Heat logo being used on the court instead of the full one, plus the classic look with the name on the baselines. Nice and clean by Miami.
I really like the horns here on the baseline. The Fear the Deer is okay, but I love the actual design of the court and the usage of cream and blue.
The green is a bit off-putting, especially because it’s two separate tones, but I love the tree design on the court. Add in the cool name font on the baselines and you get a very good court.
I absolutely love the Blazers’ court. The city of roses on the side combined with the roses on the court are really cool, and I want the Blazers to incorporate them more. My only complaint is that the roses might not have enough definition to them.
B-Tier
It’s cool, I like the ATL on the court and the colors all mesh together well. Not spectacular, but still solid.
Again, I like it. Nothing spectacular about the court, but it’s got a nice design and it doesn’t feel to busy. It passes.
Love having the mountain range on the court, it’s really sick and it plays into the new jerseys Utah has. However, I wish they would’ve done more with this court. Make it stand out a bit more!
Same as the Jazz above them, but I think the Texas outline with the spur can be much bigger and more defined. However, I do like the tapestry design on the sideline, though. It’s nice, albeit a step down from the A-tier.
C-Tier
As much as I love the Bill Russell homage on the sidelines…I absolutely hate these lines on the court. It feels like too much is going on, and can feel a bit disorienting. This court has the potential to be good, and yet it’s not.
Again, just very disorienting. It feels like I’m watching basketball on a kaleidescope.
This court looks like a graphic design 101 project. And yet…it’s fine? All the lines are a bit too much and can be taken down, but outside of that it’s just a meh court.
Indiana Pacers
This BOOM is so big the Costco Guys are jealous.
Los Angeles Clippers
It’s just…meh. Like above anything else, it’s just an ok court. Nothing more, nothing less.
I like the script on the sideline and baselines. Other than that…yeah it just feels like a Sixers court.
Orlando Magic
SO. MANY. STARS.
Sacramento Kings
I get having the background of the Kings logo, but man all those lines are a bit much, no? It’s just a lot on the eyes.
While I can appreciate the throwback to the ‘90s with the court resembling the iconic jerseys, I’m not sure I like the sidelines very much. Other than that, it’s pretty cool.
D-Tier
Denver Nuggets
Please, enough of the 5280 on everything. ENOUGH.
I feel like the Warriors could’ve been so much more creative than what they’ve done, but they went the safe route. It’s just bland.
Memphis Grizzlies
I’m sorry, Memphis. What’s going on here with the court design?
New Orleans Pelicans
Big Pelican sees all. Big Pelican knows all. Big Pelican knows what you did. Big Pelican is coming for you.
Oklahoma City Thunder
I wish I was a fan of this court, but I’m not. I really don’t like the size of the logo here, and the sideline feels really bland. Just felt like they could do more.
The helping hand reaching out here is funky, but man this court feels like a YMCA court.
There’s just far too much going on with this court. I don’t think you need as much of Pistons logo as you have on the entire floor, it’s just too busy.
The gradient at the bottom would be cool if they incorporated more purple literally anywhere else on the floor, and the PHX logo is fine if not faded. They left so much opportunity on the table, and I think they kinda blew it.