It's late in the game, you're down one and your team needs a bucket. You catch the point guard's eye, take control of his long outlet pass, and accelerate past your defender off the dribble. Your quick crossover move got you to the basket for the layup, but it's your shoe that made that move possible. After all, you can't feel quick and explosive with a shoe that's thick and clunky.
Back in the Day
There was a time not long ago, back when shorts were shorter and socks were taller, when players had two options when it came to sneakers: black or white. The Chuck Taylor-signature Converse All-Stars were the industry-standard shoe, weighing in at a sturdy 14.2 oz. While the shoes ruled the hardwood landscape, their thick, block-like rubber soles and thin canvas uppers offered little stability during the game's sharp changes in direction.
A Movement Begins
When eccentric all-star guard Gilbert Arenas rose to fame wearing low-top sneakers, the style was mostly dismissed as another one of his wacky quirks. When Arenas' signature shoe hit stores as a low-top, only a few players took notice. But it wasn't until five-time champion Kobe Bryant -- the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player, a two-time NBA Finals MVP and a 2008 Olympic gold medalist -- asked for a low-top signature shoe that the basketball world paid attention. Bryant made the switch to the low-top with his Nike Zoom Kobe V, then set the standard for lightweight sneakers with his Nike Zoom Kobe VI.
The Style is Perfected
Designed to fit Bryant's ability to accelerate and change directions on a dime, the Nike Zoom Kobe VI is a featherweight 10.2 oz., yet still offers a solid grip with its rubber outsole. The shoe, engineered by legendary Nike designer Tinker Hatfield, is streamlined by layers of mesh and memory foam, which provide a cool, snug and individualized fit without adding extra bulk. It's more than 2 ounces lighter than Adidas' lightest basketball shoe, the 12.8-oz. AdiZero Rose, and lighter still than Nike's high-end Hyperfuse Low at 12.4 oz. and Hyperdunk, at 11.5 oz.
The Bottom Line
If you're in the market for a shoe that combines cutting-edge fabrics, the expertise of one of basketball's all-time greats and the design of a sneaker legend, be prepared to pay a little extra. The customizable shoe retails on The Nike Store at Nike.com for $165 and at popular stores like Foot Locker and online sporting goods outlet Eastbay for around $130.
References
- "Dime" magazine; Kobe Bryant's Signature Shoe: Nike Zoom Kobe VI; Aron Phillips; Dec. 7, 2010
- "NiceKicks.com" Web site; Nike Zoom Kobe VI Officially Unveiled; George Kiel III, Dec. 7, 2010
- NBA.com; Kobe Bryant Bio Page
- "StyleWiz.com" Web site; adidas Basketball Gets Fast for NBA Season with First-Ever Signature Shoes for Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard; Oct. 19, 2010
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