The start of something: Jordan Jumpman Pro

Retroactive Review

Jumpman, Jump man! As we all know the Nike Air Jordan along with Mike Jordan, Nike, TNT, Marketing dollars/ad teams, executives, David Stern, his coaches, Trainers, his relatives, friends, family members, team mates, opponents and successes on the hardwood local and abroad help the create the new standard for Athletic and commercial success in his respective industries. Quite  popular many wanted to be like Michael. While that may not have been the best strategy, the footwear, branding, marketing teams did a great job in allowing any person young or older to aspire to new heights and join in on that story.

Being at the top of the basketball sneaker category in price and positioning wasn’t the easiest sell for most parents in the 80’s and 90’s as the role of sneakers in North America was starting to take an unprecedented shift. With that being said the Jumpman Pro was everything you could ask for in a performance hoops sneaker that wasn’t an official “Air/numbered Jordan/Jordan Brand model” (more on that later). 

Technically an early sample of what would become the Air Jordan 12, the Jumpman pro acted as a bridge between the Air Jordan 11 & 12 (could be touted as the 1st .5 model (See Tinker Hatfield, Wilson Smith, D.E., Gentry Humpry, Tom Luedeke and others). The Original Jumpman Pro still served as a precursor to the Jordan Brand and team Jordan models and athletes that came after.

Traction 8/10: Translucent rubber with Solid rubber and peaked herringbone traction pods in the heel worked well on any court indoors and outdoors (very 90’s indeed). Was great for that era. 

Cushioning 9/10: very great for the time phylon midsole with a full length carbon fiber/composite plate and a full length top loaded zoom air unit in adult/men’s sizes. A great cushioning experience for any player (see Kevin Garnett 1996/1997). They took what worked from the AJ 11 and made it lower to the ground and more responsive.

Fit 9/10: Eva foam backed leather upper and lining made the Jumpman pro, well fitting with right lining and padding/foams at the heel and ankle. With a more ergonomic/lower cut than the AJ 12, the Jumpman Pro hit the sweet spot of ankle support and security without being cumbersome or overly restrictive. Just make sure to get your proper size.

Materials 9/10: full grain Leathers, air meshes, foam and suedes/nubuck/durabuck made up many of the most popular sneakers from the 90’s era. At $119.99 retail. Still pricey at the time for a hoops sneaker. The materials did not disappoint.

Support 8.5/10: the full length carbon fiber plate, foam backed upper, metal eyelet, fit, heel counter and ankle cut all contributed the a very comfortable and supportive sneaker that supported all basketball movements without being overly restrictive and minimizing injuries.

Comfort 8.5: Again the design, materials and feature all came together to create a great sneaker that was comfortable on the court and off the court. If you only had one pair of sneakers for the season or school/year/year then these were not a bad option at all. Just remember to get your proper size for the best experience (See Brannock device). I’ll fitting sneakers/shoes or products can cause a lot more problems than necessary. Great fit over forcing to fit in as always the better long term move.

  

Aesthetic 8.5/10: Again this can be sentimental as the implicit bias for the Subject and the brand/marketing and nostalgia or our childhoods can overlook some details. I do believe just from the profile views, time of the release, design/production and impact created afterwards for the brand and business that this was a very important and overlooked sneaker in the Jordan brand story. There have many retro is this sneaker with multiple material, quality, colorway and cushioning changes/adjusts that have just not equated to the original release (such is life lol). If you’re a fan of the design and story behind it, see if you can find a pair online, at an outlet/thrift store or on sale. If they rerelease the Jumpman in it’s original form with top quality or improved materials (genuine or top/equivalent quality leather, upper materials, foam, full length zoom-air and real carbon/composite in the shank plate then don’t hesitate to get a few pairs.

Family Matters: Zoom Freak 5 perspective

 The Zoom Freak 5 All-Star Game “Thanasis thanks for sharing” is a solid sneaker for guards and lighter forwards who what a lightweight performer with a great story.

This was released as the All-star game colorway/make up for that year. I the like family oriented details, inverted color panels on each shoe as well as the material choices. 

Materials 7/10: Choose what works for you. Synthetic/man made materials have come a long way in the performance basketball category. If you like keeping costs low as a manufacturer, designer, retailer or customer then man made synthetics that minimize stretch over time can be a better option that doesn’t have to come from animal hides. Green design and considered/sustainable practices for those who may not consume meat and other animal products. The patent synthetic leather has a nice iridescent finish that is fitting for an all-star colorway. The nylon/mesh/textile upper features a unique logo pattern across the body of the sneaker that is lightweight and strong enough for indoor hoops in combination with the other synthetic/patent leather panels and overlays. The design of the sneaker, including its integrated synthetic leather support system (midfoot/lateral containment) works will for indoor hoops. There are better options for out hoops.

Fit 9/10: for me the fit was great. I’d suggest going true to size if you prefer a snug fit, but again try before you buy if you can. 

 Traction looks fine even though it has more graphic detail linked to the Nigerian Antetemkumpo families time in Greece. This has been a theme since his initial signature sneaker release. The pattern is a little flatter than a peaked herringbone outsole, but it looks like it will get the job done.

Cushioning: Again it’s not just what you do, but how do it (and many times why you do it in the first place) that really matters. A forefoot zoom air unit and phylon midsole sounds like a pretty standard set up however the grooves of the outsole, shape/sculpture of the midsole and details like the cored out outsole/midsole space directly under the heel help to provide accurate impact protection/ force dispersion for a great experience within the budget/costing constraints of a manufactur/plm/design/development/merchandising budget.

Comfort 8/10: the Zoom freak 5 ASG is lightweight, minimal and thin/minimal in terms of comfort. It felt like a stripped down performance car, built for speed and handling. With that being said the fit of the shoe is were the comfort comes from. The internal padding is kept to a minimal, but there was also minimal movement within the shoe. Wear double or thick socks if necessary.

Durability 7/10: as long as the quality of your pair is solid the then the design and materials on the ZF5 ASG will hold through a full season on the hardwood. Outdoor hooping would probably not help in this area.

Support: the fit, materials, overlays and intergrated midfoot support system all work to give you good support without sacrificing your natural movements or range of motion. For a guard or light Forward/Center the ZFK5 ASG should have you covered for all basketball movements on the hardwood.

Aesthetic 8/10: beauty is in the beholder. Purchase them if you are a fan of The Antetkumpo brothers/families and the swoosh. While I appreciate the cleanliness of the design, materials and colorway. I could have done away with the extra large swoosh personally, but I get it. Ironically that extra large swoosh works as a functional element providing lateral support overlaying the lightweight nylon panel. Props to the design/production/manufacturing teams. Branding, sales & Marketing for the wins.

Story 10/10: probably one of the best implementations of story telling in a performance basketball sneaker (I’m a little biased on this one for good reason). The Zoom Freak  5 ASG “ Thanasis thanks for sharing” highlights the older sibling Thanasis sharing his sneakers with one of his younger siblings Giannis who would later become on of the best pros in the family (at the moment…) with some awards and being the star player to help bring the Milwaukee Bucks their first championship. Giannis and his siblings have done a great job in keeping their family values and fathers legacy alive in the ways they have treated/looked out for each other while navigating the difficulties of their journeys through Nigeria, Greece, other countries and the United States. Being your brothers keeper isn’t always easy in any part of life, but staying strong, honorable and loyal to your loved ones and values throughout the entire journey of life (before, during, and after success) is something to be respected. So Thanasis, thanks for sharing and looking out for your sibling/siblings. All the best. 

Air Harden 2010 low?: Adidas Harden vol.1 review

 Retroactive Review 

Houston we have a solution. The James Harden vol.1 was a very good start to the new signature Hoops face of Adidas. It’s not always what you do, but how you do it. James Harden, the tough West coast Lefty guard made a name for himself at Artesia High school, paid his dues in Arizona (Arizona State), and had a get start in OkC, became a full fledged start player in Houston. And withe new roles/responsibilities came the Upgrade in Deals, business & Endorsements. A Lefty Guard Who could score, Pass, play make and run your offensive sparks off of the bench (Ginobili 2.0). Running Mike Diantoni’s high speed offense which was great for lead guards (Nash, Jeremy Lin, Chris Duhon, & others) allowed him to put his skills on full display. With Adidas innovations such as Primeknit & BOOST. The timing was near perfect.

Traction 8/10: the Harden vol 1 used a data driven pattern based on Hardens foot strikes, footwork and movements ( Such as has patented STEP BACK). It also seemed to be inspired by Fibonacci numbers. It’s a great story and Idea, but I think peaked herringbone with the right rubber compound was a bit better on the hardwood. 

Cushioning 9.5/10: the main innovation of this time period was Boost cushioning. Developed be NSAF a biochemical engineering company. Boost marked a major step in the growth/area of footwear cushioning innovation. Like, Springy, bouncy, responsive & COMFORTABLE. A midsole comprised of heated pebax/TPU foam pellets molded into one consistent unit.

Combined with their TPU infinity plate which acts like an extension of their torsion plate helped to keep the foot stable, supported and even provided some snap back propulsion (in theory) by extending through the forefoot allowing it to pop back into shape, keep the heel and forefoot working together and preventing injuries such as plantar fasciitis and overpronation. The TPU cage on the lateral side also helped with stability while leaving the some exposure on the medial side still allow some natural movement through running/sprinting gait cycle.

The cushioning is perfect if you are a guard or forward who isn’t heavy for your height. The court feel is good and the cushioning/impact protection is great in the heel. I just felt that the forefoot cushioning was a little too thin for me using the inline insole. A custom or after market orthodic can remedy this easily

Fit 10/10: the fit is one the best features of this sneaker: the well padded Prime Knit upper is well padded and sculpted around the ankle. With a solid internal heel counter, burrito wrap tongue and PU fuse reinforced offset lacing the heel and midfoot are very secure and comfortably locked in place. The forefoot uses an approach that I fort witness/experience in the Air Jordan 2010 although it implemented it a little different or even better. The Harden vol 1 uses a floating toe cap as well. What great about this feature is that underneath the toe cap is the soft prime knit or mesh of the upper which keeps is breathable and moisture wicking, the floating toe cap is detached from up and around the toes enough to still provide protection and support WITHOUT being overly stiff or restricting natural movements. The raised TPU side walls of the midsole also help to keep the foot from sliding off of the footbed on hard cuts, drives and step backs. 

Comfort 9.5: Again the combination of all of these features were implemented in a way that did NOT sacrifice comfort. From the plushly padded primeknit upper, burrito wrapped tongue, extra padded and sculpted ankle collar, floating toe cap and caged boost midsole. The comfort of the Harden  vol 1 left little to be desired. Swap out the insole with a custom or better orthotic and you have on of the most comfortable basketball sneakers of that era.

Materials 10/10 the materials on the Harden 1 can vary from Premium Primeknit, alternative knit patterns, jacquard/woven uppers and well as mesh combination with Leather, suede or nubuck. Different colorways use different material combinations, but the olive pair in these review used a combination of prime knit and nubuck/suede that was comfortable, stylish and functional on the hardwood.

Durability 8/10

For indoors the pair/colorway shown was fine in terms of durability. The upper materials are fine for indoor hoops. The TPU caged midsole worked well with the infinity plate to help support the boost midsole while helping to keep the foot stable and prevent it from bottoming out. The rubber outsole should hold up fine over a full season as long as they are kept indoors. These are not the best option or first option for outdoor hoops as there are other/better options for that at a better/lower price point.

Aesthetics 9/10: buy what You like and what works best for you and your needs. Personally I think the Harden vol 1 is on of the best Preliminary Signature sneakers to come from the 3 stripes for a while. Visually and from a player/designer perspective I put these up there with the T-Mac 1 and D rose 1 in terms of aesthetics. They created a sneaker that was designed around the needs of their Athlete while adding or remixing their latest or previous technologies/innovations in a provoking and appealing package. 

Overall the Harden vol. 1 was a great first Signature Sneaker and lead the way for James Hardens time with the 3 Stripes. He is currently on Vol. 10 with no looks of slowing down. You may be able to still find a wearable or DS pair for your collection. Depending on what the future holds look for the retro or Restomod version. 

Pros and cons: Air Jordan 6 Retro Review

  Retroactive Review

The 1st in a series of Championships. The 1st Championship can be so sweet. After fighting uphill to adjust, figure it out, lose, lose and get knocked down. Getting that first won can be so sweet. The real question is will you exhale? 1 championship is nice, but can you repeat your success now that you're at the top of the mountain. Can you handle success. Having the target on your back with everyone coming for your spot is a different beast. people are better at being at number 2 or 3. Many want the spot, but everyone isn't built for it or made to sustain it. Success has a price and it has to be paid upfront. 

While the Air Jordan 6 isn't my favorite I still have to give it its respect as the first Sneaker that Mike won a Championship in. The Cushioning is firm and the fit while not too bad wasn't that great. The design is beefier and had more structure than the Air Jordan 5 and carries over some of the previous design cues like  translucent rubber, lace locks, sculpted Ankle padding, ultra lite reflective (3M). Rich leathers & suedes/nubuck. A very structured Architectural take on a Basketball Sneaker with some nice performance feature at the time of its release. These Retro'd in 2000/2001. There was a Reverse infrared colorway that released as a sample. A friend of mine had a pair and they were fresh AF. the black/infrared is probably the cleanest color, but they're all solid.

 

Zoom Zoom: Nike Zoom BB series Review/perspective

 Retroactive review

My experience with the Zoom BB series 1 and 2 was quite a delight. these released back in 2007/2008 and were among some of the best Performance sneakers targeted for guards. at the time I was in the middle of design school but still some pick up basketball and the occasional men's leagues to stay in shape and be well rounded. While I've worn and been a fan of many if not all performance basketball sneakers for guards especially Nike Zoom anything and Alpha project releases. These zoom BB's were something I had to play in. While pairs like the Zoom flight 5, Nike Flightposite 1, Adidas Drose 1, Nike Zoom flight 2k3, Nike Zoom Drive, Nike zoom brave Series, Under Armour Curry 1, nike air Ultraflight and Nike Air Ultraposite. While I may experience any of these great silhouettes in their best form. I have still had the opportunity to get buckets, win games and drop some serious dimes in some of the best kicks the industry has had to offer. Let's take a look at these top performers from 2007 & 2008.

1. A borrowed picture of the first Zoom BB 1 that I played in. Great fit & cushioning

Worn and endorsed by Steve Nash at the time the Zoom BB because the next premier guard shoe to come to the market. If it was good for Nash was a top point guard in the league at the time a 50/40/90 player working through his back to back MVP seasons running the high octane D'antoni 7 seconds or less offense. high speed run and gun quick offense, more possessions more opportunities to score. Very fun to play (especially if you're in shape!) guards flourished in has offense and had plenty of personal as well as team success (Nash, Chris Duhon, Jeremy Lin, Jordan Farmar, James harden, Etc...) Nash endorsed many Nike basketball sneakers for puptempo point guards including the Nike Jet Flight, Varius Nike Flight sneakers, The Nike cradle rock low 1 & 2, the nike zoom Zoom, Nike Ultraflight, Nike trash talk series (made from recycled materials) and even had his own signature sneaker the Nike Zoom MVP which drew inspiration from one of his favorite running sneakers the Air max 90.

The 1st thing that caught my eyes was the clean simplicity of the upper. very clean and understated with minimal layers and planes the original colors feature aeith a thing suede, nubuck, leather, or durabuck upper with leather or patent leather toe box. There is an external heel clip for support at rear foot, a nice outrigger on the later side to prevent ankle sprains. and extra strip of material on the lateral side for support and A thin Stripe of TPU surrounding the perimeter. aside fro the perforations and Ankle bulge the Zoom BB 1 is a very clean, quite an unassuming looking shoe, but as always looks can be deceiving it's on the inside that counts.

2. Additional original color ways from the initial release. Notice how the use and placement of materials differ. The Obsidian, Blue, Pimento color way uses a mostly leather upper with nubuck on the toe box while the black/Grey/Yellow pair uses a Hairy Suede on the upper, smooth leather on the toe cap and an embossed leather on the overlay. slight differences, but the pairs I played in performed just as well. (Borrowed Pictures for teaching purposes only)

Cushioning: 8/10

Behind that thin Tpu wrapping the perimeter of the sneaker lies full length Zoom air right under your foot with just a soft strobel clothe and minimal insole between you and the unit. nothing new you say? It's been done before, but here's the thing under the zoom are unit isn't foam 9and there is it's super minimal) the unit sits on top of the rubber outsole. while Thile may not have been an Alpha project shoe the design teams, developers and engineers had to put in the extra man/brain power in making sure they could pull off effectively for performance durability and injury prevention (I'll get back to you on that.). my guess is the the depth/ height, durometer and design of the outsole/ pattern grooves that help to support the weight of the player throughout the actions of intense games with out causing injury, discomfort or product failure  (Zoom pooping/bottoming out, etc...) so my foot sat low in the shoe directly on top of the Zoom air unit. I felt close to the  court with and hard or sharp pain. The result one of the best court feels an experiences I've had in a zoom air based unit. It's simple, but simple works.

Comfort & fit. 8/10

As stated earlier the Zoom BB 1 came in a variety of upper materials the first pair I played in featured a smooth grey material that felt a think nubuck or microsuede difference from the Suede upper found on the Black, Grey, yellow pair 9I learned to be wary of suede builds on Performance Basketball sneakers particularly from Nike (Example the original Nike Zoom Huarache 2k4 featured a could of colorwayes with traditional suede/ micro suede uppers and they just did keep up their fit/support of much as the leather/synthetic leather uppers over time. regardless this pair worked for me Light, thin, breathable and form fitting the minimal use of padding a loud very little dead space within the shoe, creating very little unncessy movements that could lead to injury on of the best 1 to 1 fits that I've experienced with a sneaker using natural materials, flightposite and foamposite sneaker fit like no others, but these are up there. The external heel counter and midfoot support shank work to gather to keep your feet stable, locked in stable and supported, the height of the collar, spaces for your ankle bones, lining, sculpted insole, tpu lace loop at the base of the ankle, bootie construction and strategic use of materials and overlays allowed me to play and perform commutable the minimal side to side or front to back movement. when the may have been some front to back movement it was never drastic or major. Safe, comfortable, secure playing in the zoom bb 1 felt natural almost like a natural extension of my foot. It took some time to get used to, but evenly I played freely as if it wasn't even there.

Traction: 9/10

A high performing sneaker isn't much without traction especially if your a guard or a wing. Luckily the the Zoom BB 1 had that covered with a full length herringbone outsole. the spaces between the groove s are wide and deep enough that slipping shouldn't be an issue even on dustier courts. Even though most of the pattern is larger flat there is a pivot point at the ball of the with a sharp, peaked and tighter Herringbone pattern that altogether get the job done. the traction held up on clean and dusty courts and could even work outdoors although I wouldn't recommend it. The court feel is so great on these that you might not last to long on the unforgiving concrete ( it has no give). a cushy replacement insole could help but there many other sneakers that perform great outdoors at competitive prices & there are value chain, budget models and discounted out of season models that are perfect for outdoor hoops and won't break the bank. (thank me later).

3.Pictured left is the Zoom BB 1 Low Steve Nash PE. To the right is what looks like a regular retail pair of the Low top. I could find the low top at retail, but they look like not much has changed from the high/mid. unless the changed to cushioning from full length Zoom to something else then these should perform just as well with less coverage around the ankle. as long as the fit is consistent, then you should be fine. (Borrowed Pic)

Summary The Zoom BB 1 was a breath of fresh are to the performance would the fit and the performance really stand out. while smart and subtle use of materials bring it all together. Individually there is really nothing new on the sneaker (Tpu wrap, Heelclip/external tpu counter, ankle Bone grooves, zoom air, leather, suede , patent leather) however they are all structured a way that it's feels advanced so advanced that it feels natural. Side note, be careful with the Zoom BB 1 if your are heavy for your high or have have a history of foot injuries. the support structures work well and the cushioning is adequate, but injuries can still happen I got so used to the comfort and natural feel of the Zoom BB 1 one that I got a second pair (twice as nice lol) to play in this time the only real difference other than the color way was the material on this white, navy Sky blue color way was leather or synthetic. Not sure out it was that, because were newer or maybe I was little too heavy at the time for my height (Basketball players don't need to train/lift like bodybuilders, less can more and prevent injuries for over use, more on that at another time) either way I ended up injuring my foot (this may have been the 1st, second or third time) I don't blame the sneakers even though I play in them again. It just took it as a lesson not over train (Heavy weight power lifting/ training like a bodybuilder, with plyometerics while gaining weight (albeit solid muscle mass with low fat) and still playing hours of basketball wasn't the best strategy form injury prevention. while I did get me Desired results, running, jumping, dunking, scoring and slashing like a young DWade. I lived and I learned. again the Zoom BB 1 was a great model. Nike would later release a low top model that I didn't see at retail, but Steve Nash definitely had has share Pe's. This Sneaker was a great experience and luckily in 2025 your can find a great performing basketball sneaker from almost Any brand, Nike/Jordan are still pushing the envelope Adidas and Under Armour are constant players in the Space and Brands Like Puma have successfully reentered the space will many new, nimble and upcoming fighter brands have something offer to along with better offerings from Chinese brands like Anta & Li Ning and newer offerings from heritage brands Like Converse, New Balance & Asics, even Reebok returned to the party. Happy hooping! 

4. The Second pair of Zoom BB 1's that I purchased. the Materials were slightly different, but they performed just as well. (Borrowed Pic)

I enjoyed the Zoom BB 1 so much that when the Zoom BB 2 came out I had to get a pair. Some things stayed the same while others changed. Follow through for more.

1. The first colorer of the Zoom BB2 that released. Also the same color way that I purchased Definitely giving off Nike Zoom Air Jordan 11 vibes with the just Patent leather rand and contrasting black & white color blocking. Just need a splash Concord and we might have another comeback lol. (borrowed Picture)

The outsole and cushioning stayed the same. The Zoom BB doesn't have a traditional midsole or any midsole for that matter, but Design team at Nike kept what worked. The outsole, traction pattern, midfoot support and full length zoom air unit with clothe strobe stay which is a relief.

What Changed. The Upper pattern design is different. the Heel Deep clip is gone but the Zoom BB 2 still has a stiff internal Heel cup. although I liked the heel clip in the BB 1, the team may have had remove some elements to keep the cost low/ the same or lower for production.  The Upper is a combination of Smooth leather at the ankle color, full grain leather with large perforations on the upper, smooth leather on the toe and an overlay of patent leather wrapping around the perimeter just above the toes, sides and heel for added lateral stability. Have to keep the foot on the footbed especially since the Zoom BB2 like its predecessor does feature a traditional midsole. Not an an internal one.

Comfort & fit: 7/10

There's at least two sides to every story so let's start with the comfort. I'm not sure but ate wearing the Zoom BB 1, then the BB 2 and comparing it's the changes to the upper design are more than cosmetic wearing and playing in the BB 2 Over time the upper felt roomier. the was more padding in the BB2 than the original it might be a thin layer of foam between the upper and the lining. This didn't bother me too much as I'm sure based on the success of the BB 1 Nike decided to produced more of BB 2 to meet demand and cater to a larger audience. In doing this they like wanted to make the BB2 more accommodating for the different foot types hence the greater number of General release colorways and Team Bank Colorways for High School, College and Professional teams. These definitely were on the feet of many during March Madness ( Steph Liked them...)over time with wear the BB2 got roomier with the Stretching of the leather upper. The pantent leather helped slow this down, but It couldn't stop it. The removal of the external heel clip/counter and what suspect was the use of a wider more accommodating last than the original create a shoe that wasn't but just wasn't much better than it's predecessor. the added padding at the Ankle was nice and added padding in the upper not needed for me wasn't bad in terms of adding comfort, but to sacrifice fit which was on of the Strengths of the original for last and material deform quicker over time then the original to the point your fit are starting to move within the shoe negating the use of the upgraded ankle collar and padding, because fit within the rest of the shoe has become so inconsistent. Added comfort is great, but not at the cost of fit & performance!

Comfort is a 7,  while fit is a 5

Cushioning: 7/10

Cushioning is as good as the Original. Unfortunately the the Lack of proper fit and support from the upper didn't allow to feel as natural and free while playing in the BB2 the removal off the Tpu heel clip took away some of the support that locked foot in place while allowing the shoe to move with you instinctively. with the clip removed the the leathers of the upper stretched start lean over the TPU perimeter. I could feel me feet shifting slightly over the footbed around the heel lateral side off the fore foot another for me to keep mentally comparing diffrences between the BB2's and the popular BB1. Overall the cushioning was fine and responsive like the original, bit the other distraction s within the Sneaker didn't allow me to enjoy the experiences as much as I wanted too.

Traction: 8/10

While outsole and cushioning are identical as as I could tell. the the roomier fit that started to feel sloppy of time what just too much of a distraction really cut loose and and slashes much as I wanted to. It just wasn't the same the lack of lockdown and 1 to 1 fit made my footwear a little less direct. it didn't allow me to feel a light, springy and nimble on my feet as the BB 1 did. I wasn't even angry. I understand good business. Nike had the supply and wand to meet the demand of the many players that could an appreciate a shoe like the Zoom BB. Changing last, materials and remove some features to a larger audience allowed you to take a top performer to more of a general release. on a positive note changes made in the Zoom BB 2 did make it a great all around team shoe for a wider variety of players and positions. While the Zoom BB 1 was great for guards and perfect for lighter nimble point guards The Zoom BB2 could be and was worn be Guards Large and Small, Wings, Forwards and even some Center mostly on the College and some larger NBa Players were seen playing in the BB 2 on the perimeter in sometimes even in the paint. overall the traction worked and more player got to join in on the Zoom BB experience.

Summary, I liked the Zoom BB2 enough to purchase it based on Much great experience with the Zoom BB1. I also din't dislike them enough to return them, pawn them, resell them immediately or give Them away. I kept playing in them performing  in them , scoring, winning games, dropping dimes, kicking butt and taking names all the while have to except that while of the features that I enjoyed remain the same this was an entirely Near Zoom BB experience and I had to treat it as such. overall the positives outweigh the negatives the updated ankle collar adding padding was a nice touch, that could be more appreciated by larger players like wings, Forwards and Some Centers that want a nimble show that has enough room and support to prevent injuries while still being able to move quickly on the like Like your top ranked Point guard. Overall I didn't hate the Zoom BB 2 I just had to except that this was different experience all together. The changes, performance didn't improve enough for me to feel that this shoe is a worthy successor to the 1st version. It's less BB 2 or 2.0 and me BB too as in BB also. if the released at the same time side by side I'd pick the Zoom BB 1 9 out of 10 times. The 1 out 10 time that I would pick the BB2 *excuse be BB also is to look at it and and remind my self why I like the BB 1 so much. all jokes aside it's a matter of preference if you're a light, nimble and and agile guard chose the BB 1. If your a player any other position or even a larger guard that has to pass, score team lead, defend, and/or slash score and don't mind a sneaker that doesn't as well and may or may not last you the entire season including playoffs and post season tournaments then take a shot a t the BB2 It's real not too bad as a team shoe.

Like the Zoom BB 1 the Zoom BB2 also released as a low top. I'm not sure if the full length Zoom remains consistent from the mid to the low the could have used foam filler to take up the space while adding a heel or forefoot zoom air unit. Sometimes Companies Cut back some performance features when a high/mid top model features a low top version. Some maybe believe that the buyer may use them for more casual use than performance like the original Mid or high top. either way they existed. Steve Nash wore them again in several Pe Versions in Cluding his popular trash talk versions that reused/recycled factory upper scrapes and nike regrind rubber from used used pairs that could and would have easily rotted in a land fill waiting to biodegrade whenever at these help a little bit in terms of Sustainability repurpose products and materials after their initial product life cycle. Go Green!

Other Zoom BB models 

there were some samples of what could have been the nike zoom BB 3. It looks like the design went back to what work by using the same set up up as the Zoom BB 1. This new Zoom BB 3 probably went back to the original last and added more layers to the Upper. While the External heel clip/Counter isn't back on this model it still looks more in line with the original. the TPU support wrap and outsole looks the same and hopefully the full length remains just as bouncy. I didn't anything about these dropping in the states around the original release of these picks but they probably made Team Bank versions of these for amateur and Pro teams these were most likely an Overseas (Asia) Release. Enjoy the found/borrowed pics of the Zoom BB 3.

Hyperfuse became is big deal upon it's introduction on the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse basketball shoe in 2010. A great new manufacturing process involving the heat press fusing of multiple layers of different materials into a one piece upper the bring together the best properties of all the materials into a strong, durable, form fitting upper that has structure, ventilation, Zoned areas of added protection, minimal stretch, and longevity

BO Knew, so I got the shoes: Nike Air trainer 3 retro review

 Retroactive Review

Bo Knew Multiple Sports. After Jackie Robinson, Bo Jackson was one of the Greatest American Athletes and was able to play Multiple Professional Sports Well. Along with Deion Sanders, Baseball & Football were his domain of Dominance. For every Sport there is Training a for multipart Athletes there is Cross-Training. In your training regardless of the sport there is: running, sprints, track work, plyometrics, Weight lifting, resistance training, stretching/mobility training, recovery, Sport Specific movements, and training and practice for the rules and goals of said specific sport. in the 80's training and cross training became popular. Reebok (we have to give Reebok their credit) was dominant. Aerobics was the name of the game and Reebok was leading the charge. Athletes Running, weight lift and do court work and need a shoe that can handle the needs of all three areas. Enter tinker Hatfield and the Nike Trainer 1. A simple solution adopted around tennis player John McEnroe with lightweight, flexible sole, outrigger and forefoot Strap to cover running, Sprinting, lifting, and lateral movements. Bo Jackson would later be the focus and Spokesperson for this cross training Category. With Models like the trainer SC series, Trainer 2 and Trainer 3 among others Nike aimed to give you 1 sneaker that can help you train like Bo. 

Being Picky can pay off. One thing about NYC youth was having style and making anything we touched cool. Other cities Boston, DC, Miami, LA, Atlanta, and others had there own style and take on music, footwear, fashion and more, but NY kids took the cake (I'm biased lol). I gamed a pair of Trainer 3's for the last game of the season (look fresh, play fresh lol). The trainers had a nice leather upper (yes Leather & genuine leather was the standard back in the day, thankfully we have come a long way with synthetics, man made skins, textiles, Knits, natural fibers, hemp, plant based fibers and that reduce our need for Animal Skins. The trainer 3 also stepped it up with molded TPU (heat formed plastic parts) along the heel, ankle and forefoot strap to keep you locked in and stable for your powerful movements. A thin polyurethane midsole and visible heel air sole took care of the impact protection while flex grooves in the rubber outsole helped natural movement when running and sprinting.

Training Sneakers have come a long way in terms of cushioning, materials, design & aesthetic. The 80's pushed the trend, the 90's took it to another level and the 2000's added more bells and whistles. From the minimum to the Max and Back. It will be interesting to see what the next great training/Cross training sneaker looks like. The trainer 3 Retro was a fun sneaker to play and train in. It was good enough for Bo and it was good enough for me. On to the next ones.