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.
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.
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).
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.
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
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