basketball
Basketball’s Next Generation
Every once in a while in Basketball a player comes along that changes the game. Whether it’s the way they can take over a game at any given moment, fly through the air with the greatest of ease and finish above the rim or make their teammates better by performing a spectacular play. Just look back at Magic Johnson, a player that could play every position. Michael Jordan, who defied the laws of gravity and now Lebron James, a player who at the age of 14 was a man among boys and now regularly tears defenders apart. (If you haven’t already seen the documentary ‘More than a Game’ I suggest you do and you’ll know what I mean when I say man amongst boys!)
In the sneaker game brands look to innovate and create the next generation of product like players look to advance their game on the Basketball court. For example, check out the latest APL shoes that are supposed to add inches to your vertical leap, the NBA has put a ban on these as they’re seen as performance enhancing. What next? Springs underfoot? Oh no, I forgot Nike has already done that and look what Vince did…
As players become quicker, more athletic and less prone to injury, Basketball shoes are becoming lighter yet more supportive. For the first time ever SoleHeaven is now stocking these cutting edge performance Basketball boots, so whether you’re a baller or a sneaker head looking for your latest fix then check out some of them below.
We’ll start with the revolutionary Hyperdunk basketball shoe. Launched at the 2008 Olympics this shoe was the lightest Basketball shoe at the time at 13 ounces, near 20% lighter than any other Basketball shoe at the time. Inspiration from the supportive cables on suspension bridges came in the form of ‘Flywire’ offering support across the midfoot and heel. The shoe was worn by both Forwards and Guards at the time and is now supported by the ‘Blake Show’ aka Blake Griffin, the LA Clipper who leaps tall buildings in a singe bound, well not actually buildings but cars…just check out the footage from last years All Star Game for proof!
Here’s another game-changer. The Kobe IV, the first Basketball shoe worn by Kobe Bryant to go against the rule that Basketball players need ankle support. Hey, if Kobe can wear them for the last 3 seasons without injury then what’s this high top business been all about? With Nike’s responsive Zoom Air cushioning in the heel and Flywire midsole locking the foot down, preventing any foot sliding inside the shoe, this is one of the lightest Basketball shoes ever made at 10 ounces and perfect for those super quick 1-2 guards. Just ask Great Britain’s starting Point Guard Ode Odegboye.
If anyone managed to actually watch the GB Basketball team play at the London Prepares 2012 Basketball tournament on the BBC Red Button service then you would’ve noticed both the Kobe IV and the Hyperdunk were being worn by many of the GB and France players.
One standout player for GB during the tournament was Joel Freeland, at only 24 years of age he has been working on his low post game out in Spain and showed viewers exactly why the Portland Trailblazers drafted him back in 2008. On his feet he was supporting SoleHeaven’s new Nike Hyperfuse, a shoe that has the breathability of a mesh running shoe and overall support of a basketball shoe.
The shoe itself has 3 types of material ‘fused’ together by a hot plate to form a complete one piece upper, this gives designers the flexibility to insert breathable zones and supportive overlays exactly where the athlete needs them without any added weight to the shoe.
Basketball shoes are already pushing the boundaries of innovation so let’s be honest, how much lighter, stronger, more responsive can a basketball shoe go? If the NBA has banned players from wearing certain shoes then what’s next, socks being worn as shoes? Who knows, we might one day see Marty McFly’s auto-laced Nikes being worn by the next Lebron James or Kobe Bryant…whoever they may be?
Until next time.
KB – Veteran Baller/Sneaker lover
SoleHeaven x Newcastle Eagles BBL
We’re extremely proud to announce that SoleHeaven is the official footwear supplier to the Newcastle Eagles BBL Team starting this season (2011/2012). We will be providing them with the best performance and lifestyle trainers across multiple brands.
On the performance side this includes Kobe VI, Nike Hyperdunk, Nike Hyperfuse and Air Jordan……but we know the players still want to look fresh off the court too, so they will also be able to pick up other brands that we stock like Nike, Vans, Supra ASICS & Puma.
The North East of England is a hot-bed for basketball talent, and we wanted to make it easy & affordable to access the best performance basketball products, and this partnership makes that happen.
The Newcastle Eagles have won the BBL 3 times in the last 4 years and are a real force in European basketball!
On September 3rd we’re having an open drill session with the Newcastle Eagles at our Newcastle store (The Sneaker Lounge), you’re welcome to come down, meet the players and grab a new pair of kicks. (10am – 12pm)
Newcastle Eagles Head Coach Fab Flournoy ‘above the rim’ at the SoleHeaven Air Jordan 11 launch event
Basketball’s All Time Greats!
When you think about All Time Greats in basketball you might think about Julius Erving, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and of course the G.O.A.T himself Michael Jordan. For many of these players having a shoe endorsement with a major sports brand came part of the job and helped elevate their fame on and off the court. Along with the legacy some of these players left behind, their signature shoes have lasted the test of time and have become iconic in today’s sneaker culture.
No other brand has dominated the Basketball court in the last 3 decades like Nike. Signing MJ to a sponsorship deal in ‘84 helped Nike become the multi billion-dollar company it is today. So, for the sake of argument our all time greats are from the world’s 1 basketball brand.
Now i’m sure this is one of the most debated subjects by every sneaker head around the world, so continue reading and start commenting. Here are some of SoleHeaven’s greatest Basketball shoes of all time.
Nike Air Force 1 – In ‘82 Nike launched the most functional Basketball shoe of its time, the Air Force 1. This was the first ever Basketball shoe to feature the full length zoom air unit and one which included an ankle strap to prevent ankle injuries. This shoe has now become an iconic silhouette in the shoe game and has a massive following in the hip-hop scene. You can even say that this shoe has certainly been a major player in the resurgence of the hi-top sneaker today.
Nike Dunk – Back in ‘85 Being True to Your School was a movement Nike started with the Nike Dunk. Releasing the Dunk in a multitude of colours for teams such as the Georgetown Hoyas and the University of Michigan you could co-ordinate the shoe with any team Basketball kit. This really helped to break away from the white Basketball shoes of its day. Today, if you check out the feet of most high school kids you’ll notice that the Dunk is still as popular as is was back then, although now it’s warn with baggy sweats instead of 4” Basketball shorts.
Air Jordan 3 – The Air Jordan 3, the first Jordan to embody the Jumpman logo and one that propelled MJ to the next level in the NBA. In 88, MJ won nearly every individual award including league MVP and the Slam Dunk title; it definitely had to be the shoes as quoted by Mars Blackman himself. These are arguably one of the most desirable Air Jordan’s ever and with the iconic elephant print design they will go down in sneaker history as an all time classic. Need I say more?
Air Jordan 11 – Any sneaker head around the world has toyed with the idea of wearing this shoe at a formal party or even a wedding. Man, I’m even thinking of wearing them for my wedding one day (If the missus allows me to that is) The Air Jordan 11 bought style and elegance to the Basketball court with its Patent Leather upper. With it’s initial design inspiration being a sock, MJ bought further insight into the design process by requesting the Patent Leather upper so he could wear the shoe with his tux. The Air Jordan 11 has to be the coolest Jordan shoe ever. Period.
Nike Foamposite 1 – Now if heaven had a shoe I’m sure it would be this. In ’97 Nike launched its most expensive and most innovative shoe to date. The idea having the outsole, midsole and upper all made from the same mold was one of the biggest challenges in the history of Nike, but one of which they achieved with the Foamposite 1. With one of these shoes molds costing a cool $750k you can understand the neck snapping price tag and hype that comes with a shoe like this. This shoe has now been re-released many times since the original when Lil’ Penny was rocking them in those Penny Hardaway ads. Perhaps it’s most coveted release was when Nate Robinson rocked them in the ‘09 Slam Dunk competition while jumping over big man Dwight Howard. Even Superman would die for a pair.
So there you have it, some are a given, some may be a surprise to you all. But based on the pure impact and influence that these shoes have had on the Basketball court and sneaker game there is no question that these shoes will be sought after by sneaker heads in years to come.
Until next time.
KB – Veteran Baller/Sneaker lover
JordanXI Launch Party
Beat the festive boredom and head down to The Sneaker Lounge at 6pm on Dec 27th for our Jordan XI (11) Launch Party!
Join us for a beer and grab a pair of the most eagerly antisipated Jordan’s for 2010….we’ve only got 30 pairs get get along early.
Once the Jordan frenzy is over we’re finishing off with a warehouse party and an exclusive performance from the Newcastle Eagles 1st Team.
Together with Nike Basketball we have rustled up a load of dope Jordan products to giveaway – You don’t want to miss this!
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