Best Logos in Sports: NBA's Eastern Conference

This is the seventh article in the Best Logos series. We all give our picks for the best logo used by each NBA Eastern Conference team, with a brief reason provided for some of our favorite choices.As always, a shoutout to Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net and LogoServer for providing us with the logo history!

ATLANTA HAWKS

Nick: The Atlanta Hawks should use the full hawk in their logo more.

Zach: I like that they've gone back to this logo, although I like it without the big circle around. I like that it looks like a backwards Pac-Man, and they had great uniforms.

Sam: The alternate logo spelling out "ATL" with the blue fill in and the red outline takes the cake.

Eric: Failed attempt to use a real-life hawk in the 2000s, so let's go with the one Dominique started his career with.

BOSTON CELTICS

Nick: The Celtics have one of the most iconic logos in basketball, with very minimal changes over time. Never change Boston.

Zach: I like the plain color template that is just green and white. The logo and uniforms are a classic look, they should never change.

Sam: Present day logo is perfectly simple.

Eric: Continues to be one of the most recognizable logos in the NBA. It's a true classic, like their uniforms, though I wish they'd stop using the gold and stick to the basics.

BROOKLYN NETS

Nick: A HORRIBLE rebrand. HORRIBLE. You went from the red, white and blue of the Nets to this?! YAWN. It's a sharp look, but it's such a fall from the colorful Nets days.

Zach: Big fan of the rebrand. I chose this one compared to their primary logo because "Brooklyn" makes it cluttered.

Sam: The present day logo isn't anything to write home about, but it's the best the Nets have to offer.

Eric: The logos and colors are so simple it makes sense. One of the few rebrands that didn't go crazy. I love the black and white.

CHARLOTTE HORNETS

Nick: Can't go against the original hornet, and I love that the team still uses their teal/purple colors.

Zach: The basketball makes this logo. I prefer the cartoon compared to the real hornet.

Sam: Not many better alternate logos in sports than the Buzz City look.

Eric: I love the cartoon hornet playing basketball. I like the purple/teal color combo, and I wish they'd bring back the pinstripes.

CHICAGO BULLS

Nick: Thanks to Michael, the Bulls logo is also iconic. It is a classic.

Zach: Logo they've had since the beginning. They'll never change and they never should.

Sam: Gotta be one of the most intimidating logos ever.

Eric: Another Chicago classic.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Nick: The Cavs have had some putrid logos, but this simple use of colors/basketball has to be the best. I feel bad for Craig Ehlo, his solid career overshadowed by one moment.

Zach: Although I love the orange, I think this is the best logo because it comes with the best alternates. It's also the beginning of the LeBron era.

Sam: The modern era logo is just awesome.

Eric: Talk about a team with an identity crisis. They have changed names (Cavs/Cavaliers), colors and logos so frequently. The current shield logo just doesn't get it done for me. The original Cavs look had some of the best uniforms with horizontal stipes in red/yellow.

DETROIT PISTONS

Nick: The best Pistons' logos have incorporated the basketball, not the horse.

Zach: I think the "Piston Horse" logo era, alternates included, brought the best era of Pistons basketball. It's too bad they went from this to the atrocious ball that Nick chose.

Sam: The horse logo with the teal is amazing. Too bad I was never alive when it was used.

Eric: Thank God the Pistons got away from the teal...what a dark era of logos, colors and basketball. Gotta go with the Bad Boys logo, the best era of Pistons basketball.

INDIANA PACERS

Nick: The use of the hand and basketball forming the "P" is a sweet throwback logo.

Zach: I like the transition to an actual basketball. The pinstripe era uniforms are the best of an illustrious uniform history.

Sam: In case you haven't realized, I am a sucker for teams that incorporate their city/state. The alternate logo with the state of Indiana is a really cool look.

Eric: The Pacers' logo has been a similar concept since the beginning, so props to them for consistency. The yellow color change here compared to the original helps distinguish it from a tennis ball, but I have liked all the changes since then.

MIAMI HEAT

Nick: The Heat don't have many different options in primary logos, but this one is awesome.

Zach: The "Miami Vice" concept is a fresh idea that was executed perfectly.

Sam: The pink and light blue look just meshes together so darn well.

Eric: I like the original logo because there is less emphasis on the black and dark red.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Nick: The Bucks have had four awesome primary logos in their history, but this one has to be the best.

Zach: I think the cartoon buck has the best colors and it's the coolest look. I like the current logo, but I don't like the tan in the logo. The bright green of the original Bucks is the best.

Sam: After a weird phase with the color red, the Bucks got the logo thing right when they released the modern era one. Very cool.

Eric: The Bucks had an identity crisis in terms of colors in the 2000s, but they're back in the normal scheme. Their current set of logos are clean and crisp, but my all time favorite is the original.

NEW YORK KNICKS

Nick: The Knicks have been using the block "Knicks" and the basketball for a long time, and they should never go away from it.

Zach: I like the "3D' knicks that they've used since 1964. I like the recent transition to a lighter shade of blue.

Sam: I seriously think all of the Knicks logos suck. I pick none.

Eric: Not a big fan of the logos from 1992 forward, with the "comic book effect" font. I hadn't seen this logo until today, but I'll take the original knickerbocker.

ORLANDO MAGIC

Nick: The original logo is the best logo. Simple as that.

Zach: I don't like the current "shooting star basketball". I liked the uniforms that went with this logo the best.

Sam: Original logo over all else and it isn't very close

Eric: In a close call, I'll take the current logo. I do wish hoever, that they'd go back to the royal blue in the original.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

Nick: They never should have gone down the rabbit hole that was the AI-era 76ers logos. Red, White and Blue forever.

Zach: Though the best uniforms came with the black/gold era, I think the "76" logos are clean and simple, while still incorporating the stars.

Sam: Couldn't disagree with Nick more... the AI era logo was what made the Sixers cool at one point...

Eric: The 76ers, along with other teams in the 90's incorporated the gold and other colors. What a disaster. I actually like their current logo the best, but I love the Dr. J uniforms better than all.

TORONTO RAPTORS

Nick: The inaugural purple and red combination was phenomenal. I love this Raptors logo.

Zach: I love the purple. Although I like what they have now, I wish they could incorporate it somehow.

Sam: I'm a sucker for purple, so I certainly loved the original look.

Eric: I like the dribbling raptor and the use of the color purple. I don't quite understand the current use of the scratch marks that make up the raptor claw, but I would like them to put the dribbling raptor in the circle.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Nick: Without picking the Bullets-era logos, this one is the best. Gilbert Arenas rocked the uniforms too.

Zach: Some of the best players in Wizards history used this logo. The blue is kinda sharp with the gold. It's the era of Agent Zero.

Sam: I actually really like the present day logo. John Wall being awesome might have something to do with that.

Eric: I want to refuse to pick a Wizards logo, because I acknowledge them as the Bullets, but I will take the current logo. Again, like the 76ers they incorporated the gold that was just ugly in the late 90s. This alternate logo pays homage to their Bullets roots.

BONUS: ONE FROM THE VAULT (Teams that Relocated/Renamed Themselves)