Do You Need NBA Basketball Shoes?

When you get out on the court will you be wearing NBA basketball shoes?

The NBA basketball shoes are more than mere footwear. They are actually a fashion statement. You can be sure that a basketball shoe promoted by the game’s stars will be the most worn shoe that season. Basketball fans wait for shoe giants like Adidas, Nike and Reebok to announce their product line before the NBA season.

Each shoe launch is accompanied by a high voltage campaign. This campaign is run not only on newspaper pages but also on television screens and is plastered on hoardings across the nation. The race is to catch the star of the season, and make him endorse the shoe.

What is interesting is that the basketball players select a shoe according to the position in which they play. The most popular are high-cut shoes because they provide strong ankle support. However, power players who play inside prefer sturdy shoes because of the heavy pounding that their feet take. The perimeter players go for shoes that are light since light shoes help them to move and cut. These fine differences are unlikely to be noticed by fans because NBA rules require that all team players wear shoes that are of the same color.

The basketball shoes of some NBA players get written about because they have their names or numbers stitched on their shoes. Some even write messages on their shoes with markers. But the most unique case is that of Mark Jackson, an ex-Denver Nuggets player. He used to tie his wedding ring into the shoe laces to remind him of his wife and family!

Shoe giants initially used to name shoes after superstars like Michael Jordan. But now Reebok has entered into an agreement with NBA to market a line of NBA-Reebok shoes. This arrangement, which came into effect in 2002, provides for the manufacture and marketing of two shoes -- NBA Master Link and NBA Denial. Both these shoes carry the NBA logo on the tongue, sole, heel and sock liner.

Outdoor Basketball Hoops
One of the most common sights in the US is an outdoor basketball hoop mounted on a wall next to a paved driveway, on the sidewall of a house or over the garage door. These outdoor hoops are easy to install, require little maintenance and are not in the way of people or vehicles. In contrast, portable or in-ground systems have to be set up more carefully.

NCAA Basketball Tourney
The NCAA Basketball Tournament is one of the most watched and awaited sports fixture in the US. It whips up a frenzy that is incredible. Almost the whole nation turns to basketball when the NCAA tournament starts.