adidas superstar

Overview:
The original Adidas Superstars were released in 1969 as a low top Pro Model. At 40 plus years old, the Superstars have been adidas best selling model. Arguably, adidas would not be the brand it is today without the Superstar. The success of the Superstar is very comparable to the influential Converse Chuck Taylor. Within a few years of the Superstar’s release, nearly three quarters of the NBA was wearing these adidas basketball shoes. After years of unexpected publicity from iconic rappers such as Run D.M.C and Felon Sneakers the original Superstars are more commonly seen on the sidewalk than on the court.

Style/Design:
The classic three stripe design was brought into the mainstream thanks to the adidas Superstar. Often nicknamed for the unique toe, the superstar has been referred to as the shelltoe or shell shoe. All versions of this popular adidas basketball shoe have been known for their long lasting shell. Whether you use these shoes for casual wear or roll on the court with these classic kicks, you’ll have to replace the laces before you toss these kicks in the garbage. Updated versions of the Superstar such as the Superstar G2 have continued the success of these classic adidas basketball shoes. However, it’s the original style that brought this shoe on the NBA court and carried adidas into stardom.

Fit:
Read any user review on the web and you’ll gain the confidence required to feel comfortable pushing the “Buy” button. Try these shoes on and you’ll be enticed to go back to the site you bought them from and brag yourself about how comfortable they are. The adidas Superstars are true to size but are a little narrow, if you have average sized feet you’ll be fine but if you have wide feet consider the Superstar G2’s which are a little wider.

Price:
Year after year, even with the skyrocketing popularity, the adidas superstar had remained an affordable basketball shoe. Original models can be found just about anywhere but you can find the ADIDAS Superstar Original at Finishline for about $40 . Major shoe retailers typically buy the Superstars once a year, so you will see prices hit their peak a few months before basketball season. Look for clearance prices in the off season and as always, look for coupon codes for free shipping or percent off deals.

Nike Air Max Game Day

Overview:
Even from prison Michael Vick is still making a presence… The Nike Air Max Game Day is basically the Nike Zoom Vick 5 that rides on a full length Air Max sole… So Nike has pumped some life back into the Vick 5 to save some re-tooling cash and delivered a really strong court shoe.

Style/Design:
The Nike Air Max Game Day is a great looking basketball shoe with great clean lines and back to basic basketball function. The design feature that impressed me the most is the new ankle support feature. The upper is made of a synthetic upper and detailed with a breathable quarter vent and heel cut that breathes like a Huarache. The ankle support was good. I really felt the lockdown more on the back of the heel than the side. Lateral motion was not compromised but was not nearly as strong as other Nike basketball shoes. All in all, I really like this basketball shoe based on price and the features you get. The full length Air Max sole is like butta! So soft and smooth.

Fit:
The Nike Air Max Game Day is a great ride, super comfortable and really durable. I enjoyed the improved ankle lacing options to really fine tune the fit. The Nike Air Max Game Day runs true to size and the width is pretty standard. And of course the Air Max sole… FANTASTIC. This is an all day basketball shoe that will take a beating on the blacktop.

Price:
It’s a shame the Nike Air Max Game Day got lost in the mix of Nike basketball shoes. With the hype of the Hyperdunk and the new Kobe shoes many have over looked this kick. But now that the price has dropped and the Nike Air Max Game Day would make an excellent addition to any ballers line-up for a summer training shoe that won’t beat up you body. Look for it at Eastbay for $70.

Reebok ATR Lock It Up

The Reebok ATR Lock It Up Full HexRide basketball shoe features a soft, full-grain leather upper that offers soft, supportive comfort. “Hex Ride” sounds like some kind of voodoo motorcycle, but in this case, it’s all about the cushioning. The futuristic design does have a purpose, however. The heel wrap provides stability and support for the Achilles and ankle, while that nifty Velcro strap across the ankle gives you a perfect fit.

HexRide provides lightweight airspring cushioning. Transition Bridge aids heel-to-toe transition. Forefoot flex grooves add flexibility. High abrasion rubber outsole with herringbone pattern gives traction and durability. Wt. 17.2 oz.

Reebok’s unique cushioning system uses hexagonal pods to absorb shock and help conserve your energy, instead of blowing it all on the ground like lesser shoes would. The Reebok ATR Lock It Up Full Hex Ride men’s basketball shoes are a stylish and technically wondrous way to up your game today!

The Reebok ATR Lock It Up Full Hex Ride men’s basketball shoes do look awesome. The futuristic design does have a purpose, however. The heel wrap provides stability and support for the Achilles and ankle, while that nifty Velcro strap across the ankle gives you a perfect fit. The sporty leather upper is perforated to let your feet breathe, keeping your mind on domination the hard wood and not on how sweaty feet tend to slip around in their shoes. With a non-marking, traction-patterned rubber outsole, the Reebok ATR Lock It Up Full Hex Ride men’s basketball shoes are ready to take your game to the next level!

So far Eastbay is the only company offering a discounted price. You can find this shoe at Eastbay for 49.95.

Converse Assist Team

Overview:
With a fit very similar to the Converse Showtime, the Converse Assist Team is a comfortable full support basketball shoe. Slightly flashier than the average Converse shoe, the Assist Team is meant to draw attention to its best features. With standard features, the Converse Assist Team is all about style. I’ve always been a fan of converse because they make shoes that work. It’s not too often do they go out of their way to dress up a shoe, but when they do it seems to work well, i.e. the Converse Assist Team.

Style/Design:
One of the coolest new shoe designs for the 2008 season. The entire shoe dispenses style that we normally don’t see from Converse. The only part of the shoe that is less than desirable is the toe. If you have large feet you know what I mean when I say the shoe doesn’t need to look any bigger than it already is. It seems that the toe region just attracts more attention than it needs. But ok, let’s get past the toe and start discussing the rest of the Converse Assist Team. I really like the lacing system because it pulls the whole shoe tight around your feet and it looks cool too. The logo is bold and well balanced above the arch of the shoe. Tread patterns are also unique on the Team Assist with multi direction patterns. Finally the rear locks it all together with another logo in the upper heal.

Fit:
Mentioned in the intro, the Converse Assist fits very similarly to the Converse Showtime. Slightly wider than average the Converse Assist Team gives the average guy a little more comfort room but still snug enough keep your foot from sliding around. Some of the extra layers of leather added a little bit of weight brining it up to 15.4 oz. Not heavy but not the lightest shoe on the market either. Breathability is less than average with little to no venting other than the mesh tongue. Some basketball shoes are thin and tight or padded and supportive; we would classify the Converse Assist Team as Padded and supportive. So overall it seems like we were happier about the style than the fit but that’s not true. We love this Converse because it reminds me of what a basketball shoe should be. We just might take a leather punch and poke a few holes in there.

Price:
Released in September 2008, the original price started at around $70. The Assist Team is worth every penny but its been recently discounted to $49 at Eastbay. Grab this shoe now and check for Eastbay Coupon Codes before you buy!

adidas Superstar G2 '08

Overview:
The adidas Superstar 2G’s are 2008’s version of the timeless classic. Released in 1969 the original adidas Superstar has had slight modifications every year but has always stayed true to the original. These days it seems like the adidas Superstar has become mostly popular as a casual shoe because of its comfort and style. This shoe should not be sold short however of a very capable basketball shoe.

Style/Design:
Every review of this shoe calls the style ‘Old School’ but in reality its style is timeless. Nearly every product made falls victim of a trend and therefore will fade in popularity after a set period of time. When the first adidas Superstar hit the street, it wasn’t designed around the latest craze it was made to be functional and comfortable. Today they have made many color ways that are somewhat of a fashion statement but adidas will always be known for their original white Superstar with the unforgettable three stripes.

Fit:
The adidas Superstar 2G’s have upped the performance over the previous years. They have a molded EVA midsole to provide lightweight cushioning. At 12.2 ounces, this shoe is so lightweight that it is by far one of the lightest shoes on the market. It’s not because of some new space-age material that Nike, Reebok and Converse don’t have; it’s because it’s a very low cut shoe and has much less material than other shoes. With that, if you are a big guy who needs extra ankle support the adidas G2 is not for you. If you knew you needed a shoe with heavy duty ankle support you wouldn’t be reading this review anyway. Bottom line, the adidas Superstar G2 is a very comfortable shoe that has little ankle restriction and fits true to size.

Price:
On to the most important part, the price. Well its no longer 2008 and that means that the ’08 Superstars are going on sale! With the ’09 adidas Superstars to be released in the coming months, stores are trying to clear their shelves. Right now it appears that the most overstocked store is Finishline because they are offering the adidas Superstar 2G’s for $39. If you are picky and tend to return stuff, you may want to check out Fogdog because they are offering the 2G’s with free shipping both ways.

Nike Zoom Soldier

Nike Zoom Soldier II Outsole

Overview:
A basketball shoe inspiration from a milk crate? Yep.. that’s the sitch behind this kick. As a kid, LeBron played basketball with a milk crate. The out sole has a milk crate pattern for sick traction.

Style/Design:
The Zoom Soldier II has a full-grain leather upper with perforated areas for great breathability. Heel and forefoot Nike Zoom units make this basketball shoe very low-profile, responsive cushioning for quick moves and top speed ability. A polyurethane midsole with large volume air unit in the heel and a encapsulated air unit in the forefoot make for great all day comfort. Herringbone outsole pattern inspired by LeBron James called Milkcrate Technology has really give this shoe great traction. Yes, I to am shocked. There are 9 color ways of this basketball shoe and the colors are sweet. Nothing tacky so they will carry over nice for a street shoe.

Fit:
The Zoom Soldier II has a traditional lacing system and breaks away from the classic solid tank look of LeBron’s shoes. At 17.4 oz it is still in the tank weight class. This basketball shoe is not a feather weight but I don’t think it is game worthy. This shoe runs true to size but we have gotten some complaints of blisters from being a half size to small. So if you have those tender feet you might want to go a half size up and rock 2 pair of socks. The durability of this shoe has been great and that has always been the case with LeBron shoes… Built like tanks.

Price:
I have seen these basketball shoes out there as low as $70 from Finishline.com but they only have the black colorway. Eastbay has 9 colorways and a pretty good selection of sizes but they are at $90. Sizes and getting low in the standard colors.

Jordan Dentro

Overview:
With fluid lines that are organic in nature the Jordan Dentro makes for a great looking and performing shoe.. But it was an underrated basketball shoe for the 08-09 season. I think this basketball shoe missed the team mark. With teams trying to cut costs many overlooked the Jordan Dentro and went to the lower price point Nikes and adidas. This is a well built shoe with minimal styling and great court traction.  From a distance the Dentro looks pretty plain but up close the use of high quality materials and small details make this a cool team basketball shoe. The Jordan Dentro midsole has a full-length, encapsulated Nike Air® unit for cushioning,  cupsole sidewall for great ankle protection and support.

Style/Design:
The Jordan Dentro has the look of a mid and the function of a high. I really appreciated the top lacing placement. This allowed me to get a good snug fit without over doing it… then re-tying a minute later cause they were to tight. A very clean looking shoe small details that are impressive. But if Jordan doesn’t make the commitment to a team shoe and provide the colors kids are looking for you will continue to see these marked down.

Fit:
The Dentro fits true to size and is one of the best fits I have felt in a basketball shoe in a while. The padding on the shoe is fantastic.

Price:
One companies flop is a buyers delight. Eastbay again is the place for cheap Jordans. This Jordan Dentro is $90 at Eastbay and the size selection is pretty good.

Jordan Esterno

Overview:
The Jordan Esterno is a solid attempt at an outdoor street shoe. The outsole combines a semi transparent solid with herringbone inserts. The solid rubber is super tuff.. the cup-sole on the Esterno will take an outdoor beating. The huge visible shank plate provides excellent lateral support  and the overlays with mesh make this shoe very breathable.

Style/Design:
The Jordan Esterno is a well thought out street basketball shoe. The outsole is just impressive with it’s style and function. The material overlay make the shoe super tuff but your feet don’t over heat as much as you would think thanks to all the mesh vents.

Fit:
This shoe runs true to size and has a very snug locked down feel. As with the Dentro the top lace eyes really allow for a custom fit.

Price:
Eastbay has these for $25 off right now at $90. A pretty good deal for one of the best street shoes out in the discount world. I would stayed tuned for additional markdowns. Size runs are still pretty good.

Jordan AJF 5

Overview:
The Jordan AJF 5 takes my favorite all time Jordan shoe… the Jordan 5 and gets crazy with the Air Force 1. Color combos for the Jordan AJF 5 are getting tuff to find but I spotted this White/Orange Peel Jordan at Eastbay. Like I have said in the past… I am not a fan of the strap they have been putting in AJF’s but this one is pretty cool. They took the plastic mesh material from the side and worked it in to the strap allowing the orange to show through.

Style/Design:
The AJF 5 in white/orange is a pretty sick color combo. Not as collectible as the traditional colorways but still a cool pair of kicks that you don’t see many people wearing. The outsole is classic AF1 with the the small Jordan 5 spikes on the sides. The detailed orange stitching holds the outsole on. Again… the strap… not that cool. It gets in the way of the Jordan 5 plastic lace sincher. A leather-wrapped midsole and encapsulated Air-Sole keep your casual feet comfy all day.

Fit:
This shoe runs true to size and it very comfortable. The first thing I notice is how much more I like the Jordan 5 as a whole verses the AJF. Maybe I am just bias… but I love the Jordan 5. And for those who can’t get their fix… the AJF 5 is a great alternative

Price:
AJF 5’s are getting harder to find so check this one out at Eastbay for $120

Jordan AJF 20 Low

Overview:
The Jordan AJF 20 Low is a combination of the Air Jordan 20 and the Air Force 1. The Jordan AJF 20 Low rolls with a leather upper that has some super sick laser-etched quarter panels that really shows great details of the Jordan brand. The TPU heel pull tab that mimics the strap of the Jordan 20, a leather wrapped cupsole with full-length Air™ unit and the solid rubber outsole of the Air Force 1.

Style/Design:
The Jordan AJF 20 is a cool casual shoe in the dark cinder/varsity red combo. From a distance it looks like a skate shoe but once you get up on it the details really pop. The laser etching reminds us of Jordan’s past. As with all AJF’s the outsole is classic Air Force… but the upper portion of the outsole carries over the dot pattern of the Jordan 20. A subtile touch that is pretty nice for those who appreciate the Jordan over the Air Force history.

Fit:
WARNING: This is not a basketball shoe… However it’s a super comfy casual kick with all day support. Wearing this shoe all day either walking or standing is a breeze. It runs true to size.

Price:
The Jordan AJF 20 came out at $140.. which to me is a bit high for these AJF’s. But it is a great casual street shoe that deserves some respect. Eastbay has these at $110 in a full selection of sizes

Jordan Jumpman Team Pro

Overview:
The Jordan Jumpman Team Pro is a technical performance Team Jordan that has been revamped.  This Jordan Team shoe fits great with a foam backed collar, Phylon midsole and Nike Zoom Air in the forefoot. There is also DHIP performance cushion in the forefoot for extra heel protection. This shoe will take a beating and not leave you with one. The comfort of this shoe amazes me. The traction is so great with the solid rubber sole and herringbone pattern placed on the ball and heel of the foot.

Style/Design:
The Jordan Jumpman Team Pro is a simple team basketball shoe and is available in 4 colors. Don’t get to jazzed about the colors… again Jordan team has not made the full commitment to the team color line. The Jordan logo on this team basketball shoes is extra large. The upper is full grain leather with engineered synthetic materials. Although the colors are limited this shoe is worth a look. The comfort and traction will amaze the most seasoned player.

Fit:
The Jordan Jumpman runs true to size. I rocked it without extra socks and my tender feet were fine. Comfort baby!

Price:
Sale Jordan shoes are hard to come by… especially in the more popular sizes. Eastbay has these at $89

Jordan AJF 3 LS

Overview:
When 2 basketball shoe legends collide. The Air Jordan 3 and the Air Force 1 melt together real nice and the result is a pretty cool casual kick. The dominant look of this Jordan shoe is clearly the Jordan 3 with the Jordan jungle pattern. The Air Sole from the Jordan 3 works great with the Air Force 1 sole. This shoe doesn’t look like bad breeding.. it actually looks like a well thought out design.

Style/Design:
If you are looking for a cool casual kick with a little bit of flare, this is it. I love the classic Air Force look with a Jordan Spin. From the back this is shoe is all Jordan. The huge tab, Jump man logo with A I R text is a very cool feature to an otherwise simple shoe. The sole is classic Air Force 1 with the mini stars on the heel and toe.

Fit:
This shoe will fit true to size. And I am assuming most people will be rockin’ this kick on the street and not the court there is no need to go a half size up for extra socks. This is a great 5/8th high slip on shoe that is super comfortable with the Nike Viz Air unit in the heel.

Price:
This shoe can only be found at a few retailers and I am going to send you to one of my favs! Eastbay.com Check em’ at $50 off right now.

Nike Air Lebron IV

Nike Air Zoom LeBron IV The LeBron IV is the shoe that will mold this line of basketball shoes into it’s future. The slow recovery memory foam in the upper collar provides a perfect blend of flexibility and ankle support. The full length TPU plate and solid rubber herringbone pods provide superior traction on the court. This has been a great basketball shoe for LeBron. It’s chunky military look give this basketball shoe fantastic function as well. A fairly light weight basketball shoe with great ankle support for lateral moves. The question is… will the line of LeBron basketball shoes match the fan following of Jordan basketball shoes. The first color way to release of the Lebron IV is the Black/White/Varsity Crimson. Future releases: Black/Black/Anthracite White/Navy/Gold Black/Black/Red White/White/Reflective Silver/Chrome White/Metallic Gold (All Star) Blue/White (All Star)

Adidas Crazy 8

Adidas Crazy 8 This adidas basketball shoe worn by Gilbert Arenas, has a mix of on-court performance and style as well as a unique street/casual look that is a love it or hate it. The bootie construction of this basketball shoe minimize friction for hardwood comfort. An air-mesh lining provides ventilation to keep your feet cool and dry. With a leather and synthetic upper, EVA midsole, Torsion System plate this basketball shoe is sure to perform. Wt. 16.6 oz.

adidas T-Mac 6

adidas T-Mac 6 Tracy McGrady rocks this basketball shoe to control his game. The adidas T-Mac 6 has a five-pod Ground Control System that provides unmatched stability and motion control. This basketball shoe has a synthetic upper. Molded EVA insole offers anatomical comfort. Ground Control System provides motion control and ground adaptability. Torsion System adds midfoot integrity. Non-marking rubber outsole. This version of the T-Mac is by far my favorite. The clean and simple looks of this basketball shoe are great change for the T-Mac line. Wt. 17.2 oz.

Air Jordan 21

Air Jordan 21 Finally, no straps and lace covers… This Jordan basketball shoe is considered by many to be the best of the best. Carbon fiber OD, the Air Jordan XXI, is a performance Air Jordan. The ultra-light weight and easy to wear 21 works in high tech materials. The AJ 21 features huge, tightly woven carbon fiber shank plate, improved outsole dual-level traction pattern and Independent Podular Suspension. The outbreak tech of this basketball shoe is the inter-changeable heel cushioning system lets you choose between Zoom Air or Encapsulated Air. The IPS™ pods are transparent. The heel pod is changeable. The Zoom™ Air Pod is harder than the Encapsulated Air Pod. Smaller and quicker players prefer the Zoom™ Air pod because it’s more responsive. Bigger and slower players prefer the Encapsulated Air Pod for softer cushioning. This basketball shoe was inspired by the Bentley Continental GT coupe. There is some resemblance to the car’s “matrix” front grill. The ankle support and inner bootie is made of Imperfirm foam that is heat-molded to conform with maleoli. The red thin edge of the extended heel counter imitates the unique styling of the Bentley’s rear Central High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) that is just 3mm tall but fully one metre wide. Inside the shoe, it is lined with Picco Span™ moisture-wicking material.

Converse Wade Playoff

Converse Wade Playoff Converse is launching a special post season color way of the Wade basketball shoe. The new color way will recognize Wade’s appearance in the 2006 NBA playoffs. An all-new basketball shoe is created from the original signature shoe, the upper changes to a pleated material. The toe features crocodile skin synthetic leather and the midfoot is made from black nubuck material. Converse has also made updates to the WADE logo which is similar to the Converse star logo. The Wade playoff is a great shoe. It’s a super clean basketball shoe with subtle details. By far the best WADE we have ever seen.

Nike Zoom Kobe 1

Nike Zoom Kobe 1 The wraps came off at the NBA All Star Game, Nike unveiled its first ever Kobe Bryant basketball shoe. Kobe Bryant formerly worked with adidas and had those ugly Kobe’s boxes with the internal shoe laces. The Nike Zoom Kobe I is a life blood of the Air Huarache and Nike 2K4s. The Zoom Kobe I is a lightweight basketball shoe designed for guards who want a lightweight and flexible basketball shoe. The Zoom Kobe 1 was is a smash and has lead the way for the current Kobe basketball shoes. This basketball shoe features a full-grain leather upper that conforms, padded and breathable ankle collar for support and comfort. As well as a seamless internalized fit sleeve, carbon fiber heel bucket for lateral stability, lightweight phylon midsole with midfoot flex grooves for flexibility, full-length exposed carbon fiber spring plate for multidirectional propulsion. Features in the basketball shoe have earned it the 2006 Performance Shoe of the Year.

Air Jordan I

Air Jordan I The shoe that defined basketball shoes. The first Jordan came in black and red, and was actually banned by the NBA. Once fans learned of the fines Jordan had to pay, the shoe exploded in popularity. Eventually, the NBA dropped the rule. Now don’t get me wrong… this is not a technical basketball shoe but what it represents is the future of basketball shoes. Jordan needed a basketball shoe to raise his game and Nike gave it to him. With the right amount of marketing and the player who rewrote the the game, Nike delivered the first basketball shoe that people had to have. This basketball shoe created last second driveway heros across the world.

Air Jordan XX3

Air Jordan XX3 The Air Jordan XX3 basketball shoe is iconic. Not only because of the number 23 but this is the last sport inspired Jordan basketball shoe to be produced. With special attention from Tinker Hatfield and the Nike Marketing department the XX3 basketball shoe was going to be special. With only 23 pairs being delivered to 23 stores at the time of launch the hype was there and the fans went nuts. With prices as high as $1500 online, collectors were looking to get their hands on this kick. This basketball shoe was just that… a basketball shoe first. The Jordan XX3 was all business and extremely light weight basketball shoe that provides ample ankle support that was a concern prior to launch. So the big question… is this the best basketball shoe ever? Maybe… Is this the best performance Jordan basketball shoe? YES!

Nike Hyperdunk

Nike Hyperdunk The Nike Hyperdunk is a basketball shoe that has changed the way we think about basketball shoes. The Fly Wire technology give this shoe unbelievable strength and support and sheds excess weight to give power players an edge. This basketball shoe provides big man support in a point guard package. Lunar Foam is an organic material was developed by NASA. Lunar Foam provides shock absorption and a responsive feel while reducing weight in this basketball shoe. The Hyperdunk made a world debut at the 2008 Olympic Summer Games. This basketball shoe let the world know the Hyperdunk was a players shoe.

Quick tip: find shoes already on sale then, use the Eastbay Coupon Code for even deeper Eastbay.com discounts.

adidas Streetball 08

Overview:
Here it is! A shoe that was designed for the way most of us play… On the street. I really like this shoe for street ball. The only downfall to me is the look. I think adidas could have went a bit more traditional with this basketball shoe.

Style/Design:
Not the prettiest kick in the closet but it will take a beating. Everything on the shoe seems heavy duty. The super sticky sole wraps the toe and sides like it is prepped for battle. This basketball shoe has sick grips on the street.

Fit:
There is a unique Torsion lacing system that provides a lot of mid foot support once the laces are locked. The beauty of the cheap basketball shoe is the weight. The first time I saw it I thought “it’s gunna be a tank” but at 15.0 oz it demands a second look. Even with out a sock liner the fit is still good. No sloshing around and no hot feet. I taller shoe than I like… but still not an extreme HI.

Price:
Mark downs are starting to roll in on the cheap basketball shoe and I think the good sizes won’t last long. This is a basketball shoe that retailers won’t want to hang on to very long seeing it is for street use. Eastbay just marked down their prices and you can get these kicks for about $60.

adidas Pro Model Fusion

Overview:
The adidas Pro Model Fusion is classic adidas style with some modern day basketball shoe tech. This basketball shoe is not the top-o-line kick but it is a decent court or street shoe for camps and pick up games.

Style/Design:
This cheap basketball shoe has the iconic adidas toe cap and classic 3 stripe look. A molded EVA sockliner and adiPRENE insert give this shoe a great fit and feel. The sockliner really shines in this shoe, reducing friction, keeping your feet cool and absorbing shock. A nice lightweight basketball shoe in a bunch of colors make this a great training shoe that will take a beating.

Fit:
I am a big fan of the adidas line with their Molded sockliner. These basketball shoes always seem to fit perfect. The adidas Pro Model Fusion fits true to size and don’t order a half size big cause you wanna rock with 2 pairs of socks… cause you won’t need them.

Price:
The adidas Pro Model Fusion is not an expensive basketball shoe to start with and a few places have marked it down already. Most around $10-$20 off. There are a ton of colors to pick from and size runs are still strong. If you are looking for a cheap basketball shoe jump it it now or sit back and wait for extra mark downs. They will happen, trust me… Everyone bought TS models. You can grab this model at Eastbay for about $60.

adidas Gil Zero Team

Overview:
The Wizard has arrived. Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards and adidas have teamed up and delivered a pretty decent team  basketball shoe. In the last few years adidas has really stepped up their game in team shoe market. Especially when teaming up with a NBA player.

Style/Design:
The Gil is a simple team shoe with out all the flash. A synthetic upper gives great fit and all day comfort. A molded EVA midsole makes the shoe a bit lighter and the Three-pod ForMotion energy return system offers great lateral stability. I really enjoyed this shoe for quick cuts and stops. My feet never got the “burn” from sliding around. This is a shoe that will always get a second look. adidas has shy’d away from the traditional 3 stripe and designed with a subtle 3 stripe look that flows into the heel.

Fit:
Fit and comfort is the number 1 reason I like this basketball shoe. It really wraps the ankle and provides great support. adidas classifies the Gil Zero as a MID, but it’s one tall mid. By no means is it a HI… It’s just a super supportive basketball shoe.

Price:
This is a a great shoe at $60 bucks. It’s an Eastbay exclusive and although I’ve seen it elsewhere, you can be sure Eastbay’s are authentic.

adidas NBA Series Forum Lo

Overview:
Here is another wannabe basketball shoe that is a cool casual kick. The adidas NBA Series Forum is similar to the adidas NBA Series Attitude. The Forum is classic adidas with a new look. This basketball shoe mirrors the NBA road jersey.

Style/Design:
The Forum is a clean casual shoe that has the addition of a mid-foot strap. To me the strap is more annoying than anything. I wear my casual kicks loose and I found the strap prevents the slip-on. But after a few adjustments I got the strap loose enough to allow my slip-on and go. This classic adidas kick has super clean lines with a splash of team color. My only grip is the understated 3 stripe. adidas has kicked the stripes back so much that the Originals look is almost gone.

Fit:
The adidas NBA Series Forum is a comfy casual shoe that is easy to wear and match up with a street look. I wouldn’t recommend ballin’ in this shoe… but if a game breaks out… tighten the lace and the strap and I think  you could be pretty competitive.

Price:
The adidas NBA Series Forum just went on sale as of 2/20ish so sizes and color ways are high. This is a hard shoe to find. Eastbay is the only place I could find it. A few others have it but not at this price along with the size runs and color ways.

adidas NBA Series Attitude Lo

Overview:
Well let’s break the Cheap Basketball Shoe mold here. The adidas NBA Series Attitude isn’t really a court shoe for the serious player but it is a cool kick from adidas that pays tribute to home uniforms of NBA teams.

Style/Design:
This basketball shoe is a classic look from adidas line up of originals inspired shoes. I love this shoe. Especially the Nuggets. white/light blue color way. The kick has some cool team details in the laces and the colors are true to the team with out being over done. An added detail is the glow-in-the-dark logo. Kinda cool at the clubs.

Fit:
Most people, including me aren’t wearing this laced up. With a loose lacing and the tongue popped it goes great in my casual lineup. The adidas NBA Series Attitude is a comfy shoe that is a great slip on to wear to the court or a night on the town.

Price:
This wanna be basketball shoe is $20 off at Eastbay and the sizes are full. At $60 you can’t go wrong for a basketball shoes for the street.

Converse Wade 1

Converse Wade I - Dwayne Wade

Converse has not had a signature shoe since the Chuck Taylors. This my friends is not the way to start a new generation of basketball shoes. What was Wade going to do. They signed him to a basketball shoe deal then presented him with a bush league accordion basketball shoe. Do you think it was like Christmas morning when you think your gettin a Wii and it is a box of socks and undies? The blank stare of Wade off into the distance… Damn it! I should have held out for Nike… At least his recent basketball shoes have improved. Still not the hot sellers that an MVP deserves.

Dada Sprewells

Dada Sprewells - Latrell Sprewell

A bold and daring move to incorporate rims and basketball shoes. Sounds like a good idea… right? NO. What a flop. If you have ever put a pair of these on you will know what I am talkin’ bout. Very heavy and akward. The air bag in these basketball shoes is so big it feels like your heel is unstable. With every step you can hear the woosh and the tiny plastic rim spinnin’. Look Ma, my basketball shoes are spinnning.

Adidas Gil Zero

Adidas Gil Zero - Gilbert Arenas

Gilbert Arenas first signature basketball shoe that looks more like something for the tennis court. Glad to see adidas totally ignored the Wizards colors of teal, gold and black. This basketball shoe just got schooled 40 - love. At least adidas put some thought in the the function of the the basketball shoe. It has great traction and is fairly light for big man basketball shoe.

Dada C Dubbz

Dada C dubbz - Chris Webber

And the award for the shiniest basketball shoe goes to….. the Dada C dubbz. The plastic garbage bag finish of these shoes is out of sight. Not sure if Dada intended this to be a basketball shoe for the serious athlete. I hope not. Dada released this kick in a ton of color ways, even in home and away versions. Can you imagine that basketball team hustling up and down the court in their purple/yellow shinners…

Nike Air Bakin

Nike Air Bakin- Tim Hardaway

Alright, alright… I get designing a basketball shoe that represents the team colors but damn! Hardaway could pick up a shift at McDonalds after a Heat game in these basketball shoes. Overall the Air Bakin was a solid court shoe but just to damn weird. Maybe this basketball shoe is just to far ahead of it’s time.

Jordan 15

Jordan 15 - Michael Jordan

The Jordan 15 was the first Jordan basketball shoe to be released after Jordan left the Bulls. This super techie bootie is so far of the Jordan shoe line it never found a home with fans and basketball shoe collectors. With interwoven textures, vertical lines, horizontal lines and no true Jordan branding the basketball shoe is only built for one man. Batman!

Nike Zoom Flight 5

Nike Zoom Flight 5 - Jason Kidd

The second signature basketball shoe from Jason Kidd. The “bug eye” still is a mystery. Does it add function? Maybe it has hypnotic powers and puts the other basketball players into a trance. Whatever it is for, it failed. The only thing that drove this basketball shoe is the player behind it.

adidas Kobe 2

Adidas Kobe 2 - Kobe Bryant

What the hell were they thinking. Can you imagine how the meeting with Kobe went… “Well… um… Kobe this is the latest and greatest new design on the market, all of the kids will want to wear Japanese micro cars on their feet.” I would love to know what these basketball shoes weigh… It’s like wearing combat tanks on your feet.