It is part of the uniform or dress code and officials won’t let you play without them. Many players have different beliefs about them like they can make you run faster or jump higher. Others have different names for them like kicks, sneakers, gym shoes, and street shoes. What is the most exciting part about a pair of brand new basketball shoes is that they come in many colors, styles, and varieties; so you are always able to create a personalized shoe or choose a pair that fits more to your style and comfort. They come in high tops, low tops, mids, Velcro straps, no straps, pumps, shocks, zip up with laces, wing tips, button up, personalized with names and numbers on it, etc.
Basketball shoes are such a HUGE industry in the game because once a major superstar like Michael Jordan starts showing up and playing in a new pair of kicks, children and athletes all over the world want what he has on his feet and they start selling out of shoe store like there is no tomorrow…literally. Since the beginning of the sport of basketball, basketball shoes have played an important role and have become a critical factor in the game. Over the years we as a society can definitely see that there has been a significant change in the make, brands, and even in the weight of basketball shoes. Man started off with a simple strap up type of sandal and now we have come to a point in time where shoes can actually improving you jump.
Basketball shoes are such a HUGE industry in the game because once a major superstar like Michael Jordan starts showing up and playing in a new pair of kicks, children and athletes all over the world want what he has on his feet and they start selling out of shoe store like there is no tomorrow…literally. Since the beginning of the sport of basketball, basketball shoes have played an important role and have become a critical factor in the game. Over the years we as a society can definitely see that there has been a significant change in the make, brands, and even in the weight of basketball shoes. Man started off with a simple strap up type of sandal and now we have come to a point in time where shoes can actually improving you jump.
By looking at the different shoes over the 14 days we can see which parts of the shoe has changed to help benefit athletes while they are performing. We can also see where designs have gone wrong and had a short life span in the athletic world of basketball. This could tell us how shoes have impacted the game and where they will take us in the future. During my project, I plan on posting a picture of a shoe each day explaining why it is popular and how people thought it benefited them in the game. Also I will make a connection with the shoe to the major athlete or athletes who help supported or promoted the shoe and how the style of play has changed over the years due to different shoes/shoe styles.
Classic Era 1920-1984
Day One: November 1, 2010
The Origional Chuck Taylor 1921-1960's
A rubber soles and a canvas top, that’s it. The Original Chuck Taylor All Star basketball shoes looks undeveloped compared to today’s shoe with all the bells and whistles. Even though this shoe is simple, it has been on more basketball courts around the world than all the Nike Air Jordans and Reebok Pumps put together. These shoes have been produced since 1917 and have sold over 550 million pairs. It was once an expensive shoe but now it is one of the least expensive pairs of basketball shoes on the market, and one of few that is actually made in the United States U.S.
Day Two: November 2, 2010
The Nike Blazer 1973
Although the Nike Blazer wasn’t the first pair of Nike’s to come out, they’re the first basketball shoe with a swish to be on the court. Bill Bowerman, the co-founder of Nike, began to experiment with the concept of athletic shoes with rubber spikes for runners competing in the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene , Oregon
Day Three: November 3, 2010
The Nike Air Force 1 1983
Of all the basketball sneakers out there, one of the most highly praised models in the Nike brand of shoes would unmistakably be the Nike Air Force 1. They are almost thirty years old and they were the first shoe to feature an Air unit, which took some time to receive the attention that it has gained today. From the courts to the closet the Nike Air Force 1 has become a global icon in footwear around the world. With inspiration from the U.S. president’s Air Force One airplane, Bruce Kilgore created the Nike Air Force 1 in 1982. Although it was the first of its kind incorporating Nike air technology, it was actually discontinued the following year of its debut. But soon after it had a rebirth and was endorsed by the Original 6 that gave the shoe credibility and true basketball roots. The Nike Air Force 1 comes in three variations: lows, mids, and high tops. The style that gave these shoes their well known image is the low tops. Back in the day the very first version featured canvas medial panels, and the Nike branding on the heel tab was different. The letters were non-italicized and it is missing a swoosh. Today they have a lace lock on the shoe and the panels are more curved for a more streamline look. Also today they come in many different color combinations. The Air technology separated Nike from rest of the competition and drove the company to become the industry's leader. To this day Nike hasn’t relinquished this title. Today these shoes are more for fashion and not really for playing in just because they don’t hold up well compared to the other, more advanced shoes that athletes are wearing in the game.
Jordan Era 1985-1993
Day Four: November 4, 2010
84'-85' Air Jordans
This era is one of the better know eras because of one athlete, Michael Jordan. Nike was starting to go downhill with their shoe sales, but once they layed eyes on Michael Jordan they saw the greatest opportunity that’ll ever come their way. Nike felt that Michael Jordan was going to do great things for this company because of his personality, charisma, and heart…plus the fact that he was a champion made the decision to go with him that much easier. The problem was actually getting Michael Jordan to sign. These shoes almost didn’t make it because of how Jordan reacted to the presentaion of the new shoe. First of all he prefered Adidas or Converse over Nike because they were endorsed by his college coach, Dean Smith from North Carolina. They weren’t interested in the new prospect because they already had Larry Bird and Magic Johnson signed. Jordan’s agent convinced him to give Nike a try because he saw what Jordan missed at the time, and that was the opportunity to create a new line of shoes called “Air Jordans”.
When Jordan saw that the color of the shoes were black and the bright red, he felt that they were “devil colors” and not acceptable, but he ended up signing the deal dispite what he had said. This shoes changed the whole shoe game within the NBA. Normally basketball shoes were black and white, very simple. So when they saw Michael Jordan’s new shoes they banned them right away. He was fined $5000 every game he wore them in. Regardless of the penalties Jordan still wore them. Since the Air Jordans were released in 1985, the Air Jordan shoe collection has been considered a breakthrough in basketball shoe design and some of the best basketball shoes of all time.
Day Five: November 5, 2010
The Original Reebok Pump 89'-90'
During the late 80’s and early 90’s the battle for the basketball shoe market was on and heating up between Reebok and Nike. To answer Michael Jordan’s Air Jordan 89’ Reebok came out with The Original Pump. The Original Pump was a collaborative idea between Reebok's Paul Litchfield and industrial design firm Design Continuum. The contemporary technology allowed air to be pumped into an internal inflation mechanism that regulated a unique fitting cushion in the upper tongue, by pressing repeatedly on an orange basketball, then later with instaPump. The Orginal Pump was released as a high top shoe only. The shoe was very expensive compared to the other baketball shoes on the market. It became something of a status symbol in urban areas on the basketball courts, which soon made the same kind of statement in suburban high schools.
The famous NBA star Dee Brown from the Boston Celtics was in the 1991 All-Star weekend Slam Dunk contest. Brown sported the black, white, and orange Pumps. In a moment that will forever be remembered by basketball fans, before Brown took off for his final dunk he leaned over and pumped up his Reeboks. After throwing down the contest clinching dunk(dunked with his arm over his eyes), he bent forward and deflated his pumps. As the crowd went wild, that was the moment the Reebok Pumps gained instant notoriety as kids everywhere felt like this sneaker could take their game to the game level. Although this was huge for Reebok, they didn't hold up very long because of the new advances in the shoe technologies. Today there are not many people who wear these to play in.
Day Six: November 6, 2010
Air Jordans 1990-1993
90'-91' VI's
91'-92' VII's
92'-93' VIII's
During this time the Air Jordan’s were the center of the basketball shoe scene. Today the shoes in the Jordan Jordan Jordan
Golden Era 1994-1998
Day Seven: November 7, 2010
Nike Air CB 94’s
During the time Michael Jordan first retired, throughout the 93’-94’ season, a new star stepped up to the plate and came out with a new shoe, and that was Charles Barkley. At this time he was leaving the Philadelphia Jordan
This signature shoe comes only in a high top model and designed with the patented Nike Air Technology. The shoe has a lace locking system with leather upper portion that features elastic straps over the instep for support. It has CMEVA midsole with air in the forefoot that provides cushioning. It also has a rubber outsole with the visible air bubble that is the Max Air in the heel that offers additional cushioning and traction.These shoes are different from most of the other shoes that I have already covered in the shoe timeline because even though they were a hit in the early 90’s, people can still be seen wearing them today on the basketball court. So these shoes are mainly seen worn in high school, open gyms, parks, etc. I would say that these shoes do keep up with the new advanced shoes of today.
Day Eight: November 8, 2010
1996 Iverson's Reebok Questions
As fast as the Reebok Pumps came, they faded just as fast. At this point Reebok was desperate to have a major comeback in the shoe industry. In order to catch up with Nike, Reebok was ready to have NBA star promote their new shoe for them. The problem was who was it going to be. Rookie Allen Iverson was the new target for Reebok to strike a deal with. Iverson's Questions puts Reebok back into basketball contention. These are arguably the best Reebok basketball shoes ever made because they are very stable shoes, have great cushioning, and have exceptional court traction. All of these qualities are important on the court because if the shoes aren’t stable then they could easily rip or tear with all the hard cutting going on.
Cushioning is important because a player could get blisters on the bottom of there feet or even on their toes, and those aren’t fun. When Iverson was a rookie these shoes only came in two or three different colors to match his uniform with the Philadelphia
Day Nine: November 9, 2010
95'-97' Foamposite One
For Nike, first there were the Jordan
Throwback Era 1999-Current
Day Ten: November 10, 2010
Remake of the Air Jordan IV in 99'
Since the Jordan’s were such huge hit with the fans back in the day it would only make since that it would start a Retro craze. The remake of the Air Jordan IV in '99 started the Retro craze that caused a landslide of remakes of old classics. The Air Jordan line alone re-released the AJ I, II, III, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, XI, XII in one form or another. Today, when shoes go retro that means that the original shoes get re-released at a certain time. For Jordan Jordan Jordan Jordan Jordan
Since these shoes are so expensive not everyone can get/buy/have them. So when they do, they keep them close or they will get stolen. It’s that serious. For me I know when I get a fresh new pair of J’s, I don’t wear them to play in because they are so expensive and I want them to last as long as possible. Since they are so costly, I do not know when I will be able to purchase another pair. Also I don’t want to wear them all the time because I don’t want them to get scuffed up, I don’t want people to step on them accidentally, and I just want to avoid them getting trashed in any way by anything or anyone accidentally or purposefully. Furthermore, when it comes to retro Jordan Jordan Jordan Jordan Jordan
Day Eleven: November 11, 2010
1999-Current Air Force1 and Nike Dunks
Air Force 1
Nike Dunks The first time Michael Jordan retired it was a little hard on the shoe industry because there weren’t many superstars with big shoes coming out. But then they bounced back due to his arrival back into the league. But once Michael Jordan retired for sure, it set the industry back one again. Nike seemed to be prepared this time with the establishment of Brand Jordan Jerseys and Retro'ed shoes became more popular than anything new the manufacturers could create. The AF1 and the Nike Dunks personifies the Throwback Era because these shoes are the most popular amongst the society. It seems like every color combination possible under the sun has been applied to the AF1 and Dunk.
This is possible because people can go online and create their own personalized shoes. They can mix and match all different types of colors and sometimes even patterns are available to choose from. Although these shoes are basketball shoes, they have become a fashion tool because of the different colors that they can come in. During this time the Air Force 1’s in particular became very popular amongst famous rap stars. One, Nelly, even made a song about them called, you guessed it, Air force ones. I feel that these famous rappers helped promote the shoes because basketball players weren’t really a big factor in promoting the Air Force 1’s. These shoes can be seen in lots of music videos and the younger generation is always up on the latest videos. It is basically like monkey see monkey want. Soon millions of young people, and even older people, wanted to get their hands on these shoes.
Day Twelve: November 12, 2010
Shox 2000
shox bb4 The first Shox prototype was influenced by a springy indoor track at Harvard. Then in 2000 came the first shoes to use the Shox technology. These were the R4 runner, the BB4 basketball shoe, and the XT4 cross-training shoe. Even though it took ten years of refinement of the Shox technology before the first pair of Shox came out, the wait was well worth it when Vince Carter jumped over a 7-footer during the Olympics while wearing his Shox BB4. The Shox was a new development from Nike that incorporated many of their other athletic sports shoes. The Shox usually consists of small hollow columns in the midsoles of the shoe, generally made of rubber, but every company is different and may change it up with the different matierals used. When it comes to the Shox, they can come in different formations, but they normally consist of four circular columns in a square formation to provide coushioning. Sometimes there can be around five or six Shox, varying in hight.
Also the Shox can be rectangular or triangular in shape that Nike says provides better stability. Nike also states that the Shox not only absorb impact from the heel strike while running, but also claims that it adds more power to the runner’s stride when the shoes “springs back”. The Shox is supposed to provide superior shock absorption with its high-tech elastic foam. Although I havn’t tried these shoes myself in basketball, I havn’t seen these shoes out on the basketball court even though the Shox do come in basketball shoes. When I am out on the track I do see these types of shoes all the time. It makes since because these shoes are great for absorbing the impact of the runners. Today they are just not as popular out on the court. The only excuse I can come up with why we don’t see more basketball players wearing these shoes would have to be the weight of the shoe. I have felt how heavy these shoes are, and compared to other basketball shoes they are kind of on the heavier side.
Final two days will be from two major shoes that are out right now.
Day Thirteen: November 13, 2010
Nike Zoom Kobe V
During my generation first there was Michael Jordan, and then there came Kobe Bryant. Once Kobe Bryant came into the league the shoe industry made some of the biggest changes and strides ever made. The shoe started of bulky and heavy, like previous shoes, but then Bryant and his team came to the realization that light was the way to go. It all started with the Nike Zoom Kobe I where it featured full-length exposed carbon fiber spring plate for multidirectional propulsion and regional responsive Zoom Air units in the heel and forefoot for cushioning where it is needed most. Even though the shoe was light they felt that there was always room for improvements. Thus today we have the Nike Zoom Kobe V. It took a couple versions but the Nike Zoom Kobe V is one of the lightest shoes out there only weighing only 10.6 ounces . To really comprehend how light these are, there are 16 ounces in one pound, so these shoes don’t even weigh one pound! The Kobe V is lower than its revolutionary predecessor because it is built for precision cuts in every direction. These shoes can be a devastating tool in the hands of threatening players, like Kobe Bryant. These shoes come in a low tops, one of the lowest in the league for the sharp cuts and quick moves. The carved-out phylon midsole is sculpted for the quick jab steps to the many jump shots that will be taken throughout the game, no matter what level the athlete is in.
Flywire technology takes center stage in these shoes. Flywire technology is a lightweight support system that uses tensile fibers that come together and make the foundation for upper material construction. The fibers act like strong synthetic ligaments, wrapping and supporting the foot precisely where it needs it while being incredibly lightweight. The Kobe V’s has a molded heel inspired by soccer players, the molded heel keeps your feet from sliding around inside the V's and makes footwork easy. The outsole contains a heartbeat-patterned herringbone sole so it can give you traction when you switch directions. It also has dual Zoom Air. The Zoom bags in the heel and the forefoot provide extra cushion. Zoom Air technology is produced by a network of thread, plastic, and pressurized gas. Zoom Air works by using stress of the shoe's wearer, absorbing it, and refracting the same stress which helps the Zoom insert retain its shape and buoyancy, allowing for quick responsiveness in performance venues. Sometimes shoes will contain double-stacked Zoom units for extra support, responsiveness, and cushioning.
The best and coolest thing about Zoom Air is that it is very low-profile in shoes which normally helps the wearer's feet rest closer to the ground, and allows for a better feel for court sports such as basketball and tennis, as well as football training and running. This may seem like a lot to go into a pair of shoes, but it is well worth it because wearing these shoes gives you a one up on your opponents while at the same time being legal to wear during the competition. Athletes all over the world can be seen wearing these shoes. Although they are very popular amongst athletes, in order to get these shoes you have to a have a good amount of money because these shoes do cost a pretty penny. Once you wear them once you won’t want to turn back to anything else because every other shoe will feel like you are playing in cement bricks.
Day Fourteen: November 14, 2010
Nike Air Max Lebron VII
Today he is known as King James, and Kobe’s nemesis. LeBron James is another huge player in the game that has also changed the shoe industry. The Air Max LeBron VII is a great innovation in basketball shoes. These shoes have a terrific fit plus comfort, cushioning, and performance combine together with aesthetics to form a true luxury balling sneaker. What sets the LeBron shoe line apart from many other shoe lines, like Kobe and Jordan, is that they tend to be a bit heavier. The LeBron VII’s, like most other LeBron shoes, are slightly on the bulky side. LeBron’s shoes tend to feel like boots. LeBron doesn’t have to deal with this problem because he is so strong so it feels normal to him, and he is the one that designed them this way. I personally don’t like to play in LeBron’s because I feel like I am going to roll my ankle because they are up so high; and not jump as high or run as fast because they feel so heavy to me.
Though these don't look as boot-like as previous models, it still has a somewhat of a boot-like feel because they're so high off the ground. The reason why this model in particular is so high off the ground is because, apart from the previous models, this one contains a massive full-length air bubble. Until now, the LeBron signature line utilized Zoom Air cushioning in the midsole - sometimes even double-stacked units in the heel. Players LeBron’s build usually default to shoes with Air Max cushioning because of their size and weight and the Air Max absorbs the impact more. Compared to the Air Max cushioning the Zoom Air cushioning is very springy, and it seems to push back when you step down on it. The LeBron VII's cushioning doesn't have the same reflexive behavior, but instead seems to absorb the impact perfectly while not sacrificing too much lateral stability. The LeBron VII absorbs the impact of each step extremely well. Another first for the LeBron line is the application of Flywire technology. We have seen this technology with the Kobe’s. In LeBron’s shoes the Flywire technology improves the fit by sculpting the upper into a more natural foot shape, reduces weight while maintaining durability, and of course adds good looks.
The Flywire sculpts the upper to your foot, creating a snug and instinctive fit. The LeBron VII’s has good ankle support because your ankles will be surrounded with small triangular pillows hugging the ankles on either side. When wearing these shoes your foot is completely locked down. Your foot will not be sliding inside of the shoes while you are playing. The heel of your foot is aided by an extra heel pad that supports the backside up to the Achilles. These shoes are not suited for the average player because they are designed for big forwards and quick centers. If you're a lighter player that naturally plays the guard position, you might be better off sticking to shoes that are closer to the court, where you can feel your movements more. Once again, because of the new technology and the luxury of these shoes they tend to be priced very high at around $160.
Conclusion
From tip off till the clock hits zero, the players are constantly sprinting back and forth across the court, cutting left and right, all of this in a pair of basketball shoes. They affect everything an athlete can or cannot do. So, the shoes are the most important part of the game because if they are uncomfortable or not made properly then they can bring a player down and have a negative effect on their game. If the shoes are heavy like cinder blocks then the athlete will be very slow when they try to run up and down the court and they will have a hard time jumping. Cinder blocks are an exaggeration, but that is what it feels like when an athlete is wearing heavy shoes. Also, if they are heavy then it will be hard for players to cut hard in different directions. If the shoes have bad ankle supports then many players will have ankle injuries. Players can sustain injuries to their ankles ranging from a small sprain to a bad break. If the shoes are high tops or low tops plays a role in shoes also. High tops are shoes that cover and support your ankle more while low tops rise to just below your ankle. Both styles have many advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the players some like shocks that help absorb the impact when they run so it will have less affect on their knees later on in life. While others are flat footed and need certain types of arch support. The most important thing a shoe needs is grip. If there isn’t very good grip on the shoes then the players will be sliding all over the place, and they won’t be able to get their footing while playing.
During my project, I posted a picture of a shoe each day explaining why it is popular and how people thought it benefited them in the game. Also I made a connection with the shoe to the major athlete or athletes who help supported or promoted the shoe and how the style of play has changed over the years due to different shoes/shoe styles. By looking at the different shoes over the 14 days I paid attention to which parts of the shoe has changed to help benefit athletes while they are performing. I also saw where designs have gone wrong and had a short life span in the athletic world of basketball. By looking at this, this can tell us, as a society, how shoes have impacted the game and where they will take us in the future.
The major changes that I noticed in the shoes over the years are that the shoes are getting lighter and there is more technology used to make the shoe more form fitting. Making the shoes lighter just made sense to me because athletes are always looking for the lightest shoes on the market to help them run faster and jump higher. This also ties into the shoes being more form fitting. The people designing the shoes are cutting out the excess material which equals out to extra weight on the shoe. By cutting out the extra material and going with new technology like fly wire that makes the shoe more form fitting, it also makes the shoes lighter, once again benefiting the athlete. Additionally, I noticed the use of air in the soles of shoes.
Although from the outside it looks like solid rubber, most shoes of today are not. There has been the incorporation of air. Some shoes you can even see the air bubbles form the outside. The benefit of air is that it helps absorb the impact when running, and in some cases it can have a bounce back affect, acting like a spring for the athlete. I noticed that the larger athletes like centers and huge forwards, for example LeBron James, tend to wear shoes with larger air cushioning and the shoes tend to be on the heavier side. One of the major designs that haven’t really stayed in the basketball scene is the whole shox idea. They are just too bulky and they just couldn’t keep up with the other shoes. All in all, the overall concept of basketball shoes has stayed the same, which is to cater to the athlete and to help the athletes performance (in all the ways possible but staying within the rules).
