What To Look For
Look for a light shoe that provides ample traction and ankle support and can withstand powerful impact with the ground. Basketball is a sport that requires a lot of running and jumping on a variety of surfaces but usually on concrete or more agreeable indoor surfaces. A light shoe can allow the player to leap higher, but can also cause injury if the proper support is not present upon landing.
Common Pitfalls
Don't rely too much on brand recognition. It is true that Nike, Adidas and Converse are the leading manufactures of basketball sneakers and apparel, but they have also made big business of designing and marketing sneakers based on the popularity of individual professional players. These companies are known to allow the players to take part in the designing process. A common pitfall this creates for the consumer is the assumption that a player's performance on the court is a direct result of using the sneaker he has branded.
Where To Buy
Buy your basketball sneakers from stores that specialize in basketball sneakers and apparel. This could be your local Foot Locker or the warehouse of Nike, Adidas or Converse, from which you can order shoes over the Internet. Eastbay is also a reputable site to order basketball shoes from, as it specializes in athletic apparel.
Cost
Don't base your decision on cost alone. Just because a sneaker is the most expensive doesn't make it the best buy, and the same is true of the more affordable brands. Michael Jordan has always been criticized for the pricey cost of his sneakers, which also happen to be excellent for playing basketball. On the other hand, professional NBA player Stephon Marbury has been commended for making his shoes more affordable, but at the same time they produce no noticeable benefit to the consumer other than their price.
Comparison Shopping
The Nike Air Jordan brand has been recognized as the premier basketball shoe for years, but with new basketball stars such as Lebron James and Kobe Bryant marketing their own styles of sneaker, there is much competition for recognition as the brand that best supplements a player's game. While all of their shoes are light and designed to endure heavy impact as well as the rigors of a full-length basketball game played at the highest level, the Nike Air Jordan 1 is the best basketball shoe of all time, according to Jim Morrison, senior writer of "The Bleacher Report." Morrison does make a side note pointing out this is more for the iconic value of the shoe. He identifies the Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2k4 as "quite possibly the best basketball shoe ever made, as far as performance and style are concerned."
Accessories
Purchase ankle braces, tube socks and shoe polish. For the most devoted basketball player, a good pair of ankle braces can provide extra ankle support while also preventing premature wear and tear to the shoes. Most professional basketball players wear ankles braces at some point in their career to recover from sprains, but it is wise to wear them whenever playing on the court to prevent injury. Purchasing multiple pairs of tube socks is a more affordable way to provide extra needed ankle support. Basketball sneakers in many circles are considered collector's items, so to keep them in good condition, buy a bottle of shoe polish made specially for sneakers.
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