lol - NO. I do run marathons, though. I've been through all the shoe fads (air, gel, ad nausium), injuries, orthotics, expensive rehab, etc. I was ready to give up on long-distance running, and then did some extensive research and "woke up". I'm using both the Vibram and the Nike Free shoes and, so far, have been pain free. Maybe I'm lucky, but there are plenty of others who have similar success. Of course, basketball involves a lot more lateral movement than running does, but there has been advancement in near-barefoot shoe technology recently that should be effective in multi-sports. Certainly worth looking into, if your on your feet a lot and / or have injury issues.
What did Martell wear two years ago? http://sportstwo.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1735267&postcount=1 Here's a hint: Adidas! Now, can someone with HALF a brain tell me if Martell's Adidas were similar to Trav's?
I have a pair of shoes that I bought in 2002. They actually aren't specifically basketball shoes, I don't think. They are Nike Air ZMs. I saw them as turf shoes a couple times with the little turf cleats. They have a very wide, flat sole and heel. After having chronic ankle sprains I started wearing them. They are cushioned, and you can feel the spring and cushion. I still wear them to this day and here's the amazing thing: Playing basketball (high school or city league) every year for 8 years in them, I have only sprained my ankle in them ONE time, and that was when I came down on another player's foot. They are the most supportive, most stable shoes I've ever owned. There have been so many times I've thought my ankle was going to roll over, but they are so wide and flat that they just give me the support I need and keep my ankle from rolling. Every time I've tried replacing them, it hasn't been long and I've sprained my ankle again. So I just keep gluing and sewing them back together. I have looked so many times to try to find another pair of these shoes. I'll have to post a picture when I get home. If I found them again, I'd buy 10 pairs just so I'd never run out.
Speaking as someone who exercises and casually plays basketball at the gym in frees, no NBA athlete will ever wear those. Running (straight) and playing ball are completely different things. You simply can't cut, start, and stop with a glorified sock attacked to a thin sole.
My theory is that the air cushion/shox allow the foot to slide more than it should and actually rolls slightly causing breaks. Imagine if this were true how many law suits there would be not only from the general public but from professional athletes.
It's true that basketball requires a lot more lateral movement than running does. However, you do not need a cushioned shoe to make those moves. Cushioning has nothing to do with movement. You could very easily play barefoot and make those same moves, except that traction would be difficult on a glassy hardwood floor. A near-barefoot shoe with a proper tread with plenty of traction should to do the trick, without any of the thick cushioning. I've read the current Vibram shoe soles wear out quickly for sports like basketball; but, I believe they will be releasing new models soon with more robust treads for such activity. Also, since the Vibram allows your toes to spread out freely, you have better balance and much less chance to roll your ankle. And remember that all near-barefoot shoes are feather light, which means that your feet will move quicker and more precisely, with less chance of injury. Thick, cushioned shoes weight a lot more. Think about it - if I attached weights to the end of your baseball bat, do you think you could hit the ball as well?
Only the slow ones. Likewise, no self-respecting basketball player will follow that trend. Serious athletes know better.
Nope - actually, the Olympic marathon was won once by a barefoot runner. This doesn't seem like a well-educated response - know what better?
1) Yeah, and how would his times stack up today? What someone did a half century ago isn't of much interest to today's athletes. 2) Racing flats have a lot in common with minimalist shoes, and training in them would greatly increase injury risk. As would trying to run fast without proper footwear.
I have a pair of vibrams, they're pretty sweet but I think they would be pretty bad for basketball. You move unnatrually fast and change directions for that. they have some sturdier bottoms for them, mainly for trekking in heavier terrain. they do change the way you walk though...but I don't think they're meant for jumping up and down like in basketball, that is a lot of stress IMO.
1) 2:15:16.2 - A record at that time and not too shabby by today's standards. 2) So, your implying that until cushioned shoes arrived, humans could not run??? People have been running fast over vast distances long before the cushioned shoe era arrived 25-30 years ago. Your feet have thousands of years of evolution that makes them ideal for running and catching prey. The mechanisms in your foot are far better that air, gel, or anything else. Running on cushioned shoes screws up your stride and the mechanics of proper foot movement. Do some research before making silly comments.
I agree the Vibrams are not ideal for basketball, as they are currently designed. However, as far as jumping is concerned, cushioned shoes actually result in higher impact stress than a barefoot would. http://news.discovery.com/human/running-barefoot-impact-stress.html
You mean, like regurgitating material from a widely quoted, barefoot running study sponsored by Vibram?
