Wizards making fashion statement

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Scoring points and grabbing rebounds are great in basketball, but what does it matter if you don't look great in the process?

The Washington Wizards last night offered fans a glimpse of the team's most recent contribution to the NBA fashion landscape, unveiling new alternate jerseys featuring bronze-toned tops and black shorts.

The uniforms, to be worn periodically this season in addition to the traditional home and road attire, are a striking departure from the bright blue or white commonly donned by the team.

"It's a good look for us," forward Caron Butler said after modeling the uniform with teammates in front of several hundred fans inside Verizon Center. "I like the black shorts. ... I just gotta get some shoes to go with them."

The Wizards will wear the uniform Nov. 18, when the team plays Cleveland at home.

The Wizards' new uniform is their first new alternate uniform. The team has worn three "throwback" uniforms, including a 1978 Washington Bullets uniform during select games of the 2002-2003 season, and has shown off Baltimore Bullets uniforms each of the past two years.

"In recent seasons we've celebrated the franchise's history by wearing 'throwbacks' to past seasons -- including the championship season of '78," team president Susan O'Malley said. "After celebrating where we've been, now we want to enjoy the moment and highlight a new generation of stars in Washington. I think our new uniforms will help our great players look even greater."

The uniforms feature black and white stripes and stars on the shoulders and the bottom of the shorts, an homage to the old Bullets uniform.

"To be compared to that team ... that's big," Butler said.

Alternate uniforms are en vogue across the NBA. The Charlotte Bobcats introduced new alternate blue uniforms in August. Last year, the Boston Celtics unveiled an alternate dark green uniform accented with black. And this year, the Toronto Raptors are wearing new red road uniforms inspired by an alternate uniform from last season.