Rodman, Barkley, JP & PG: Nike basketball sneaker reviews

Retroactive Review 

Loud, Eccentric, Brash, colorful, colorful language, quiet, reserved, let’s his game do the talking, champion, lost in the finals, hasn’t been to the finals yet, *designed signature sneakers, designed signature sneakers worn in the finals, has designed (and currently designs) for a champion. Grabbed a whole lotta Rebounds, was known for getting rebounds too, rebounding is part of his game, scoring and defending while looking smooth is more of his claim to fame, and the Playoffs…, ironically one guy here has designed signature product/ products inspired by there previous digs, mashed some together or a part of or close to the team that designed for the other.

If you haven’t guessed it these reviews are on signature sneakers and modern designs of signature designs worn by Dennis Rodman, Charles Barkley, & Paul George and Nike Designer Jason Pietre for his modern versions or Rodman and Barkley Signatures, mash ups, remixes and other signature Basketball designs that preceded the Paul George Nike Signature line design lead by Tony Hartman.

So let’s get Started: Dennis Rodman: different. While his outfits, hair and lifestyle fit many of the words described earlier, in person he seemed quiet, calm and perceptive, a stark contrast from what we saw throughout his NBA career. Just as unique as he was on and off the court his sneaker fit the bill. From his time in Detroit Rodman was a pest for the opposing team on the glass he was dominant, on the perimeter he was picking your pocket and deflecting passes, in the paint he was harassing you mentally, physically and maybe emotionally. From Reebok, to Nike and Converse The Worms Sneaker game was as unique as his personality.

First up for me was a pair of Darwin lite a lighter retro alternate of the Nike Air Darwin an early Durable Sneaker promoted my Rodman and his first unofficial Signature sneaker with Nike. This version of the Darwin that I had was very similar to the original Darwin except the heel air unit was encapsulated instead visible and the rubber wrapping the front of show was lower with less stitching than the original. The upper, midsole & outsole design was largely the same. The Darwin lite released in the early 2000’s as a park with colorways and merch (tees & connecting to historic Basketball parks and gyms in the U.S.  Venice Beach, CA, St. Cecilia’s in Michigan, Dyckman 155th Rucker Park, and my current personal favorite the Cage West 4th were I would later earn a nickname for myself decades later. 

The Darwin lite low:

Cushioning: 7/10

No zoom, but full length phylon midsole with large volume air unit in the heel. The Original Darwin released in 1994 had a polyurethane midsole more dense, but this version got the job done. I was a lighter guard and these white & silver low tops got the job done as I worked on my game and worked to get better in those spring and summer months

Traction 9/10

The Darwin & Darwin lite share the same chaotic and aggressive outsole pattern that works well indoors, but was made for the asphalt. a super aggressive rotated Herringbone pattern with sharp edges, deep grooves, plenty of spacing and a basketball for the pivot point it just worked. Whether I was on the perimeter or in the paints (guards have to grab boards too lol) the traction on the outsole got me were I wanted to be with no loss of grip or sliding for the duration.

Comfort. 8/10

Some pairs of the Original Darwin featured Canvas and leather uppers, the canvas on the originals was either coated and/made of a really strong material because it is on the outer overlay. The Darwin lites featured either a combination of full grain leather and nubuck or full grain, synthetic and/or synthetic leather. I’m to sure which leather was used on my low tops, but they was soft, lightweight, breathable and durable. The Darwin lites featured either low featured a simple breathable lining while the mid foot, forefoot and tongue featured large perms to keep my puppies cool in the summer heat. The Darwin lites featured either as feature a stiff tpu shank in the midfoot that protect my young arches and allowed to drive and attack the basket a little more aggressive during those runs and practices.

I have yet to see the Darwin lites retro again. The Darwin mids in original form have returned a couple of times and the Original low tops have been reissued mostly as Sumpreme collabs. The reverse swoosh started by Rodman and the Darwin and carried through the N’destruckt Series and Nike basketball has become popular with Travis Scott Cactus Jack collabs. Sometimes it’s good to be different and have your own style. It takes some courage to not be a follower and and to march at the beat of your own drum, but before you know it you’ve become a trendsetter. For some even an icon.

Tagging in Designer Jason Petrie he has designed some modern interpretations of the Air Darwin like the Air Max Darwin 360, Nike Air Barwin (An revised are Darwin withe some Barkley influences shared with some of the Barkley inspired designs for Amare Stoudemire at the the the. The Air Barwin used the same Barkley inspired soles found on the Amare worn Air Force one Max Stat and updated version of the Air Force max CB originally worn by sir Charles. A whole lotta overlap withers popular forwards. Onto the next review.

Sometimes you just have to evolve. Just like the Air max 180 shake evolve a 2012 update of the Popular Rodman signature sneaker Shake N’destrukt from the popular and rugged N’destrukt series lead by Rodman and others like Alonzo Mourning. Tougher, durable and made to handle the abuse of outdoor basketball. Others include the Rattle, Roll, and worm N’destrukt all worn or endorsed by Rodman. 

The original Shake was like a tougher, beefed Air Jordan with just enough quirks to keep it interesting. Some pairs featured full grain leather, nubuck, patent leather, durabuck, ballistic Canvas or some combination of them. The outsole was just as sharp and aggressive as the Darwin. The midsole house a large volume visible heel air unit with a thick PU sole for impacts. Asymmetrical lacing with a medial strap really set these off with the large swoosh across the ribbed lace cover and bubbled “air” branding on the heel. Funky, fresh, eccentric, unique, different.

Fast forward with another update from Designer JP and we have an update in the Air make 180 shake evolve. The upper is very much the same with lacing, wrapped upper, strap and mudguard, this time using more materials that fit the Nike Sportswear category than 90’s asphalt these sneakers wear made to turn heads especially in the grey/charcoal/white/volt colorway. The volt really pops off with this color blocking the the reflective material is a nice touch. JP carried over the 180 “pork chop air bag first introduced into the Lebron 8 P.S. and later used in the  Lebron 9, Lebron 9 elite and what would become the Nike air Penny 5 (also out of Nike sportswear). A thick phylon midsole replaces the PU of the original. Traction is supported a slightly less chaotic, but just as aggressive herringbone outsole with thick grooves that can grip out door courts. 

The Nike Air max Shake evolve 180 seems like more of a lifestyle play than an outdoor juggernaut like it’s predecessor especially given choice of materials, soft felt nubuck on the overlay and the 3m reflective mesh like upper would never last out doors and that 180 bag is way too vulnerable with proper foam housing the unit like the original. While these are better suited for the hardwood, there are/were way too many great performance basketball kicks that blew these out of the water. Compared to its rugged predecessor this version is soft. 

Luckily they’re comfortable especially with the softer phylon midsole and plush insole. Buy it you want to connect to the style of the original with a lifestyle twist for casual wear and the occasional indoor game or two. Forget about it you’re for a comparable modern successor to the original, this ain’t it, luckily there many great Performers that are on sale or offer better performance and a better price. To each his own, buy what you like. Onto the next. 

The Round Mound of Rebound keeps inspiring even if he wasn’t a role model. He wasn’t a role player either from his time in Philly to his MVP and Finals appearance in Phoenix and his last runs in Houston Chuck was unapologetically himself, like Rodman he was a 1 of 1. He made many sneakers popular with his playing style just as much as his personality. From the Air Force Series (2, Alpha. 180, Air Force Max, Air Force Max CB), to his own signature line ( Air Max 2 CB 94, Nike Air CB 34, Nike Air Max CB 34, Nike Air Super CB, Nike CB 4, Nike Air CB4 II) and others like the tuned force Max. He even sported the Air Jordan 14 (Candy Canes) does his last run with the Rockets. 

Bonus: Can't Forget about the Mash ups and Posites!

Zoom Sharkley (Rodman Shake N'destruckt + Barkley Air Max 2 CB 94 By JP)

Zoom Shakalaid (Sharkley + Air Raid)

Air Alphalution: Air Alpha force update with visible heel zoom

Barkley Posite

Chuck Posite

Enter Paul George:

Paul George is always striving to be better, always pushing to do more. The ultimate two-way player, PG is as relentless on defense as he is on offense. To be dominant at both ends of the court he needs to be comfortable no matter what direction he’s playing in. Designed with Nike’s innovative React Foam technology, the PG 6 gives George the cushioning he needs to last all four quarters. Lightweight and responsive, it’s the perfect shoe for anyone determined to raise their game.

PG 1: unlocked forefoot Zoom, flywire strap. Low cut. Inspired by his love for Fishing

PG 2: unlocked forefoot Zoom, alternate forefoot support. Low cut. Reverse Swoosh

PG 2.5: unlocked forefoot Zoom, alternate strap. Low cut. Reverse Swoosh

PG 3: unlocked forefoot Zoom, alternate forefoot support. Low cut. alternate collar shape

PG 4: full length top loaded dot welded air unit, mesh upper with support webbing/straps and lace up micro mesh outer shell/collar, Fuse forfeit support. Low cut. 

PG 5: full length top loaded dot welded air unit, mesh upper with synthetic leather forefoot support rand, Lateral & medial midsole supports, lateral outrigger, TPU support shank.Kobe 9 inspired traction. Low cut. 

PG 6: Mesh/textile upper with synthetic forefoot toe cap and integrated mid foot support piece. React Midsole. 

Jack be nimble, jack be quicker: Nike Zoom Hyperfuse 2011

                  

 Great fit + sharp traction+ responsive cushioning= a great combination for speed and quickness. While the original hyperfuse brought something new to the game in a tight breathable and fun package. The 2011 hyperfuse found a way to make things even better in a new, but familiar package.

I’ll be the first to tell you for a design/aesthetic stand point I like weird. I like different. I like unique looking designs that solve problems, challenge conventional norms and push the envelope on form, function, materials and performance. Products, designs, & innovations that standout from the completion and make things even better. The original hyperfuse did that with a new material: Hyperfuse. Traditional basketball sneakers and many sneakers/shoes altogether were made of traditional materials like Leather, suede, nubuck, canvas, patent leather, mesh and so forth. These materials over time were combined, layered, stretched, woven, combined and so on until some took a chance to ask, explore, try and challenge the current norms to innovate. Like the use of patent leather used on the Air Jordan 11 not just as a visual element, but as a performance material to maintain fit and keep the foot on the foot bed or the ballistic nylon mesh also used on the Upper of the 11 to provide breathability and a better/closer fit as well durability. The uses of natural leathers  changed to synthetic leathers because the lack of stack with helped the sneaker retain it’s shape/fit longer fast forward and now have the innovation a fuse uppers which solve multiple issues in a signgular whole package that is strong, light, breathable, thin, flexible and well fitting. This is done by fusing/heat pressing multiple layers of material that all serve different purposes into a single upper and assembling everything together in a fast form fitting product that ready to perform with only a couple of wears. 

In a fuse uppers the first layer is used as the backing. It usually is structured and has cut outs at breaks within the pattern that create windows for breathability. This is the layer that sits closest to your foot. The inner most layer of the shoe. Next upper is the mesh packaging. Their are different types of polyester mesh such as the jersey style mesh used in last years original hyperfuse sneaker or the diagonal net mesh used in this years 2011. This layer allows for the breathability while providing full coverage and support for fuse areas that don’t have cut outs like the medial toe area, ankle area (in the original), and heel. Finally is the top most layer made of polyurethane or PU skin/skins. This layer provides durability texture and finish. This is the outer most shell of the upper. Now that all of the layers are stacked they are vacuum sealed tight. No Bubbles! ( at least not in your uppers lol) and heated/pressed until all of the layers are essentially FUSED into one seamless piece. Then the upper is stitched together, given a heel counter as well as other necessities and assembled like a traditional performance sneaker. Voila! You’ve been hyperfused. What great is that you get the best of many different materials all into one lightweight, durable, breathable, form fitting, strong, slow stretching, thin, and futuristic package. This is definitely a step about natural materials like traditional materials like natural leather & nubuck and the next level of synthetic man-made materials that don’t use animal hides and are slow to stretch. Now if it can be made to be sustainable with green and biodegradable eco friendly materials, we might have something. But does it perform? Onto the review.

Comfort & Fit 9/10

Like last years initial launch the hyperfuse (2010) provided a strong and unique fit unlike any basketball sneaker before it. The mid ( I throughly enjoyed the low top version.) featured a one pice mesh based bootie that fit well around the foot while keeping the tongue connected and irritating seams away from the foot. Good. The back half of the sneaker featured a nice amount of padding including the ankle area which featured a few layers of solid fuse for fir and form. The midfoot and forefoot of the sneaker was light, strong, breathable and flexed without hindering and natural flex or movement needed on the court. The stiff upper material kept the foot upright within the shoe and allowed little to no side to side movement with only a minimal amount of front to back movement. There is also extra amounts of fuse on the medial side of the toe back to protect from toe drags and contact made with that area, someone stepping on your foot, toe drags, etc. the 2011 version made some slight changes in the mesh style, fuse pattern and ankle area overlay. While the ankle area may be different from last years version. The Hyperfuse still provided great ankle support as the Hyperfuse pattern surrounded the area around the ankle with extra layers while allowing freedom of the ankle itself like a traditional Basketball Huarache sneaker like the Air Jordan 7 or Huarache 2k4 & 2k5. This time mesh covers the ankles. The fit is also added with a solid and rigid heel counter just like last year. It still works. 

Cushioning 8/10

One thing that charities over was the tooling. The 2010 & 2011 have the same Midsole and outsole with only a slight difference that I call an upgrade for a couple of reasons. The Hyperfuse 2011 still uses the same lightweight phylon midsole and bouncy forefoot Zoom are unit as last years version. There is enough foam in the heel to work well even without a heel air unit. The design of the midsole allow it to compress as needed to have a decent movement on the court the heel to toe drop and fit of the upper make you want to play more on your forefoot and the shoe makes you want to sprint down the court and the bouncy responsive zoom air has you cover. The upgrade is the lateral stability as the 2011 midsole features a protruding extension of the midsole that provides more lateral support while helping to keep you from sliding off of the footbed on slashes and cuts and even has a super cool iridescent swoosh. It makes the shoe like different, almost ALIENNNNN lol. Again, I like different, I like weird. This was a welcomed feature on this years versions as some players did have instances is losing forwards the edge of the midsole or over. 

Traction 9/10

This traction just works. It worked so nice that they had to use it twice lol. The pattern stays the same. Same great peaked herringbone. Same midfoot support shank for torsional rigidity and same heel impact force dispersion design for heel landings and strikes.  Still works, still good. 

In Summary,

The Hyperfuse 2011 is a subtle successor to last years models with only minor changes to the upper pattern and midsole design that helped to improve some areas that the 2010 fell short at which mainly some lack of lateral, support/sliding off of the food bed. Although the changes are subtle again the combination of the iridescent swoosh and stance give this shoe an almost alien look. Sported by some of the newest and craftiest young point guards such as Rajon Rondo, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. Just like last year the Hyperfuse is light, breathable, durable and should hold up well over time. It great for your indoor runs and leagues. If you add a more cushioned insole these make the perfect outdoor bball sneaker for the summer! Buy them if you want a light, strong, durable, breathable sneaker with an upper that will last with a responsive cushion and sharp traction that’s stable for the hardwood and the asphalt. A great sneaker especially at the price point. 

Quick? or Explosive? The choice is yours: Air Jordan 2011

 The Air Jordan Flagship shoe has been known as the peak of performance, styles, luxury, materials and innovation. Every year the flagship shoe is aimed to be at the Top of the basketball footwear market and the retail price usually reflects it too. Top performance products inspired by the greatest basketball player of all time. 

After the release of the Iconic numbered Air Jordan 23 ( a tough act to follow regardless, the air Jordan 2009 looked step in with new technologies as well as as some traditional and new materials that have never been seen on an air Jordan before. Next up was the Air Jordan 2010 flag ship worn/debuted and designed with D wade in mind. A great performer even if the clear window came off as a gimmick at first (luckily it performed great) and this year we had another opportunity. The innovation: modularity. 

Nice word. So what is it. Well ironically modularity was a theme we reviewed and even used when I was in design school ( Industrial Design). I used this approach when designing a couple of book cases/shelf’s that featured modular parts the fit interchangeably while all fitting in to their respective units.

“ In general, something described as modular is made up of distinct, self-contained units or components that can be combined or arranged in different ways. It often implies flexibility, adaptability, and ease of assembly or modification.”

So is this the first time that this has been done. No & yes. 

The credit for modular sneakers might go to Adidas from 

the Adidas eqt bball with featured removable and 

interchangeable inner sleeves that fit inside of the upper 

and tooling shell.

 Then there was the Nike a baja which also had a 

removable sleeve for a basketball sneaker. As far as 

modular cushioning goes the adidas Los Angeles 

trainer had removable and interchangeable cushioning 

rods that fit into the heel with different densities to support 

running on different surfaces, like concrete, asphalt, 

and grass. 

So it isn’t new, now what? “Well it’s not always what you do, 

but how you do it.”- Lil Wayne

While the Air Jordan 21 was the 1st Air Jordan to use removable/modular 

cushioning it was targeted in the heel giving the option of targeted heel max 

air in Polyurethane or heel Zoom air in pylon. This concept was carried over to the Air Jordan 22 as a part of the IPS cushioning system that denied with the Air Jordan 20.

Are you with me so far? Great now what makes this new and innovative in the air Jordan 2011 is that the entire insole/inner midsole is removable and interchangeable giving you two types of cushioning approaches. 

Quick. A Unc Blue phylon midsole with heel & forefoot Zoom air units. For quick movements by smaller guards.

& 

Explosive: A bulls red cushion midsole with top loaded dot welded full length air units. For larger more explosive players like big guards or forwards.

This gave you the option to choose your cushion all with the same shoe. See innovative, different.

So does it hoop. Let’s find out.

From the outside looking in the Air Jordan 2011 looks like update Air Jordan in 11 in some ways. The launch colorway is very Concord eleven without the patent leather. This model uses a unique embossed Italian leather with a specific patina that ages well with wear. The outer “shell” midsole is very clean and simple with a subtle 90 degree/180 degree square cross hatch pattern (like the 11) a translucent out sole with a unique pattern, and clean alternate tone at the ankle and heel. Clean is an understatement.

Comfort & Fit 7/10

The Air Jordan 2011 comfortable enough with a nice one piece bootie with mesh around the tongue and sides as well as good padding and a soft lining. The bootie stops just under your ankles to give good range and mobility while white parts of the upper still provide ankle coverage when fully laced with a thin breathable material that still allows natural motion. Similar to the Air Jordan 7, but cleaner. Nice! The insoles regardless of which type you choose fit seamlessly into the shoe without and discomfort or impediment of natural movement. I’m quite sure there was a lot of math involved in the design/development/engineering and production. You’ve gotta make sure you have the proper tolerances for your male & female parts ( design talk lol). Like the Air Jordan 11 the 2011 also features nylon laces loops just in a defferent way. The lace loops are attached to the base of the upper from the inside and they are only stitched from the top and the bottom allowing some freedom of movement within the upper. This allows the lace loops move securely with the foot in motion while still providing lock down and fit in the fore foot and midfoot. The fit could have even better with a more solid heel counter, there was a little better of heel slip, movement within the heel area even when fully laced. They probably had to make sure the the soles could move in and out affected, but nothing comes with a cost and unfortunately the lack of heel fit never really went away.

Cushioning 8/10

For this being the first full length modular insole/midsole system. The cushioning wasn’t bad. As a guard I assumed that the quick midsole would have been perfect for me. Ironically in comparison of the two. The phylon midsole was just too stiff/firm. I opted for the explosive midsole most of the time and didn’t look back. This was my first time experiencing cushion in basketball shoe and I was loving it. By comparison, cushion is softer and more giving than phylon and coupled the top loaded full length air unit. This insole was feeling just as good or responsive as my favorite sneakers with zoom air. And that’s saying a lot as I’ve been team zoom air for over a decade as one of/if not my favorite cushioning for basketball and performance. The only cons of the explosive midsole is that it may break down  quicker over time. Even with the carbon fiber shanks I ended up having use custom orthotics with them over time (but that could have just me). Two types of cushioned midsoles for one sneaker. It never hurts to have options!

Traction 7/10

The Air Jordan 2011 features a full length translucent outsole with a data driven elephant print/fingerprint inspired traction pattern that tightens and swirls around a profit point at the ball of the foot. There are flex grooves that help with mobility and natural movement on the court. While the rubber compound and pattern weren’t bad. They still left something to be desired. Solid rubber might be better at for the most a part a strong herringbone pattern with sharp peaks the right durometer of rubber and adequate spacing can do wonders on the court. Translucent rubber & and story telling isn’t bad, it’s just that solid rubber and performance herringbone can be better.

In Summary, 

The Air Jordan 2011 isn’t a bad performer with all things considered there are better performers this year from multiple 

Brands. While the modular inner soles/inner midsoles brought something new to the table I think most players while ideally shift to one or the other for most of their duration with the shoe. While comfortable the fit in the heel didn’t allow me to have the same confidence/fearlessness of last years Air Jordan 2010, this years hyperdunk, hyperfuse or Kobe 11. While those sneakers screamed attack. The AJ 2011 murmured enjoy, even with the quick midsole the fit and cushioning felt great

 During runs, but I just know better heel fit, a stronger/more firm heel counter and even better cushioning would have put these over the top as an on court performer. a traditional midsole might have provided a better feel and transition. There be additional versions of the Air Jordan that uses the quick & explosive midsole options in a more traditional/conventional way albeit with different materials. I will say that the materials are definitely a highlight of this years model are definitely top notch for the leathers, comfortable tongue/bootie and clean color blocking the AIR JORDAN 2011 is a clean modern classic of the court that still does a great job on the court. Buy it if you want the newest and latest Jordan to add to the me collection and you want to hoop in the them, skip them if you are looking for the top performing basketball Shoe To compete on the court, there are plenty of other options (while not modular) can still over Top level performance at a better price. Onto the next one.