The Best Basketball Shoes for Boosting On-Court Performance

Have you ever walked in a pair of Jordans and thought to yourself, “how did he do all that wearing these?” The fact of the matter is that even the league’s brightest stars didn’t have much of a choice back in the day, which has been made clear by Wilt Chamberlain being forced to drop 100 points in a pair of Chucks. And while nostalgia-inducing silhouettes like the Converse Weapon couldn’t hold a candle to modern pairs from a performance perspective, none of these players could’ve guessed what advancements were on the horizon; but, much like the game itself, evolution is not only expected, it’s warranted. Sure, there are several signature kicks that look great off the court, but we’re to figure out which ones help you lock in until the final buzzer.

It may seem obvious, but what to look for in a pair of basketball shoes is wholly predicated on how you play the game. Sure, big men of yesteryear were often forced to wear high-tops on the court, much in part to the feedback they provide after constantly jumping for loose balls and rebounds. In other words, they’re intended for guys that don’t tend to move around much with the ball in their hand. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis, one of the league’s leading rebounders, has primarily done so wearing Kobe VIs or the latest LeBrons — both of which are low-top sneakers.

All in all, you should find a pair that’s comfortable enough for you, be that from a weight, cushioning, or grip perspective. And while there are caveats to each of these, like whether you’ve had ankle trouble or anything along those lines, the following four serve as a basis for what your playstyle could be.

Spot-up shooter: Find yourself running around screens a lot? Odds are you’ll want something with some grip.

Ballhandler: If you’re the point guard trying to zip past the defense, opting for a lightweight pair is likely the best way to go.

Do-It-All: if you tend to do just about everything on the court, be it handling, cutting, or taking it coast to coast, the first thing you should consider is comfort and cushion.

Rim-runner: If you’re a big man who’s constantly setting picks and going for offensive rebounds, you should find something that offers stability and support. You’re not the only one going for boards, and the last thing you want to do mid-game is land on someone’s foot.

Jordan Luka 1

The Starter: As the very-first silhouette to feature full-length Formula 23 foam, this cushy shoe delivers the perfect balance of stability, ankle support, and responsiveness. Additionally, they are equipped with embroidered Flight Wire, Jordan Brand’s court-ready take on FlyWire, to ensure secureness when hitting the court. Nike claims that the Wunderkind’s wallet-friendly silhouette is ideal for speedy athletes that need the perfect amount of stability, and while Luka’s usually the type to walk by his defender, it’s fair to assume his new kicks are part of how he makes it look so easy.

PUMA MB.02

The Safest Bet: If this were 2017, some may have hoped to see a Big Baller Brand silhouette appear here, but sometimes, shoemakers, like players, don’t always pan out reasonably as expected. Nevertheless, LaMelo Ball’s signature shoes are highlighted by Puma’s ultra-innovative Nitro foam, which has been touted as some of the sneaker world’s most comfortable form of cushioning. With its responsive midsole, woven mesh upper, and nonslip rubber outsole, the MB.02 paves the way for a lightweight feel without sacrificing precautionary elements.

adidas adizero Rose 1.5 Restomod

The Upgrade: adidas’ Restomod series had no choice but to rehash these iconic shoes from D. Rose’s MVP year, equipped with a Promotion outsole for optimal grip and a Lightstrike midsole, delivering virtually unnoticeable lightweight cushion compared to the original. If they were good enough for one of the fastest players to ever do it, and now a good percentage of the league who’ve been seen wearing his signature silhouettes on the court, they’re certainly good enough for you.

Nike Kobe VI Protro

The Premium Pair: In line with that last comment about D. Rose’s signature shoes, if these were good enough for Kobe at any point of his career, they’re good enough for over half the league; seriously, watch one game, and you’ll see at least two people rocking a pair of these snakeskin-coated classics, but it’s more than just an homage to the late, great Kobe Bryant. Serving as one of Nike’s many Protro designs, the revamped pair of Kobe VIs is more lightweight and scaled-down than they were in 2011, all the while retaining its Air Zoom Turbo Unit.

apl cONCEPT x

Banned by the League: As we made clear, innovation is bountiful in the world of athletic gear, giving us no choice but to include this controversial set of sneakers. APL’s game-changing shoes may be the truest performance boosters, serving as a new and improved version of its pair that was notoriously banned by the league. This iteration was practically ten years in the making, as this long-term wait was due to the brand revamping its proprietary Load ‘N Launch tech. This spring-based compression compound exerts a force on the front of the foot that further boosts your vertical leap by a maximum of 3.5- inches. Whether it’s to help elevate your jumper or get a limitless closer to the rim, the Concept X is ready to get you there.

Nike Giannis Immortality

The Best Affordable Basketball Shoe: Things are about to get a little freaky. For $60, there’s really no room for error with Giannis’s more wallet-friendly line of signature sneakers (compared to the standard Nike Freak 4 at $135). With its grooved rubber outsole, breathable mesh upper, and unique sole shape for maximum cushioning, the Giannis Immortality is a great choice if you’re more interested in spending more money on something to rock off the court.

Nike KD15

The Best Outdoor Basketball Shoe: The two most vital elements to consider in a pair for outdoor courts are traction and cushioning. And while the newest set of KDs operate well on hardwood, they’re equally adept at taking on cement. Thanks to their full-length Air Zoom Strobel unit, the 15s offer exceptional impact protection when shooting pull-ups on more demanding terrain. To keep things lightweight, Nike avoided going all out with the materials, as the show’s construction is predominantly streamlined and made using mesh, suede, and rubber. Most of all, since you need the best grip possible for the outdoors, there are extra grooves in the outsole for multidirectional traction.

Under Armour Curry Flow 10

The Grippiest Basketball Shoe: When your dance around the court as much as Steph Curry does, you need a pair that doesn’t lose traction, and that’s where the UA Flow outsole comes into play, promoting no skidding across the court when you’re coming off screens. For maximum results, they feature an internal mid-foot shank for increased stability, as well as a half-bootie upper lining to ensure lockdown and the perfect fit. Most of all, Under Armour’s basketball-geared UA WARP upper tech paves the way for maximum comfort through every crossover, traditional layup, or, if you’re the local park’s all-time leader in threes, half-court layup.

Nike LeBron XX

The Most Comfortable Basketball Shoe: To no surprise, the all-time leading scorer’s 20th signature set of Nikes is fit for a king, boasting a large Zoom Air unit at the forefoot that promotes game-changing energy return and guarantees they’re still built to take a beating. Best of all, the premium silhouette’s carbon fiber midfoot plate keeps you steady on the court so that you can move the ball coast-to-coast just like the G.O.A.T, while an Air Max unit in the forefoot delivers maximum comfort. In contrast to their relatively hefty plush feel, the new kicks boast a lightweight mesh upper that is as breathable as it gets, practically serving as the best of both worlds from heel to toe.

Jordan Tatum 1

The Freshest Basketball Shoe: Celtic superstar Jayson Tatum’s up-and-coming signature sneaker is touted as the lightest shoe in Jordan Brand’s current performance catalog, claiming that its innovative design was rooted in Tatum wanting a shoe that felt “connected to his foot.” As a result, it boasts a lightweight TPU frame and uncaged Zoom Air unit to shed any excessive materials and provide optimized energy return, deeming it ideal for on-court performance — plus, he’s only 19 years old!

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