Urban Basketball: Fancy a pick-up game?

Last February, all media outlets were abuzz with news that brought to the forefront a product that, until then, was only a fetish for basketball players or those who kept the legacy of 90s hip-hop alive. There were more people wearing Air Jordans on the street than on the court.

The shoe of Duke University player Zion Williamson, a promising NCAA prospect whom some mention as heir to LeBron James' throne as the future No. 1 NBA Draft pick (Oops! Did I say that out loud? Let it be...), shattered during a strong landing as he tried to stop his trajectory and change direction. The manufacturer NIKE, mother of the paradoxical (in this case) slogan "Just Do It," suffered a major financial blow due to this circumstance, which, a priori, was accidental.

NIKE Paul George 2.5 are the shoes we see on Zion's feet, and which we won't see there again.

All because, in this world, one mistake is everything.

– What could have happened? Many things, none of which concern us right now.

– Can it happen to us? Don't worry, probably none of us reading this, including myself, are 2.01 meters tall with 129 kilograms of weight and a wingspan of 2.08 meters of pure muscle and physical power.

Even so, today we bring you a refreshing sports rinse. We are going to move into a dynamic with anaerobic touches. Today we play BASKETBALL, and we invite you to join this wonderful sport that has always been there, and has given us so much.

Before discovering it on the court, how do we choose our shoes? What should we consider for a basketball shoe to perfectly fit our tastes and physique? Is it the same to be a roadrunner as a zone tank? We will try to make the best decision with these characteristics:

· Design: I wouldn't wear a shoe I didn't like, would you? Let yourself be charmed by its colors, the brand's typography, the composition, its elegance or daring. If you choose well, you might even steal more balls because your opponent will be mesmerized by your "kicks." Or perhaps it will happen to you...

· Fit: For a demanding sport like this, the foot must be well-supported to prevent sprains or worse. Basketball requires legs and feet to perform with total intensity, and the more we help muscles and joints withstand loads, the more we will enjoy this sport. Be careful with size and ergonomics. Look for comfort and safety.

· Material: Everyone has their quirks. One-piece shoes, Frankenstein shoes with various materials that give them shape, low-top, high-top... It is important to find the balance between the shoe's weight, comfort, breathability, support, and the reinforcement required according to our playing style.

· Sole: Try them on! Traction is fundamental. If you're a fan of radical changes of pace (crossovers), if you're a very intense defender, if you like fast breaks, if you like to hold your ground in the paint and pivot until you find space... you need the grip that best suits your playing style. Not all shoes are made for playing outdoors, on canvas, or hardwood. Not all shoes give you the same leeway if you're a point guard, a forward, or a center. The sole's pattern gives many clues about the reinforcement of one part or another, as well as the width or narrowness of the sole. I repeat, try them on!

· Cushioning: Anything that can save us from overexertion must be taken into account. Today, we have great suspension and cushioning technology to absorb a large amount of impact when we land from grabbing a rebound, when we change pace or direction, or simply land while running. It all depends on your playing style combined with the height of your center of gravity.

· Weight: Sometimes it helps, and sometimes it doesn't. One of the problems Zion Williamson may have had is that his weight and playing intensity were decisive in the shoe breaking. We all love a very light shoe, but we must always consider our build and, of course, the aggressiveness we show on the court.

Which basketball shoes best suit your characteristics?

After these tips for choosing our shoes well, Urban Running offers us an interesting selection at totally affordable prices to start training our wrist and Flow on the court.

If you like ball handling, fast-paced play, and you're the "little guy" on the team, we recommend the ADIDAS NXT Lvl SPD V:

Its adiPRENE system helps maintain maximum intensity running, reducing the wear and tear the foot might suffer. Furthermore, the sole concentrates its technology in the metatarsal area to reinforce grip and propulsion with each step. The foot will be very well adapted to the interior thanks to the GEOFIT system, which will provide fundamental comfort at all times.

On the other hand, if you are a big guy but like to move around to find good positions to receive the ball, and make your presence felt near the paint, perhaps this model is the most suitable.

ADIDAS once again brings us a model that uses its structure to turn you into an unshakeable pillar, but with feather-light weights to allow for reaction and explosive movement. This is the CRAZY TEAM 2017 model, and BeUrbanRunning brings it to you so you can start dominating.

At first glance, it has an attractive design and we like to go out on the court with stylistic power. The mesh gives it the feeling of lightness that corresponds to its very light weight.

We have a combination of mesh and synthetic outer materials, with special ankle padding and reinforcement at the toe and arch of the foot for optimal support. These shoes turn you into a tank.

On the other hand, the sole's pattern speaks for itself. Made of rubber and with special technology to give you stability on the court. Its wavy pattern allows you to dig into the court so no one can move you in the fight for a rebound. In addition, the heel reinforcement and the EVA insert provide the necessary cushioning to cope with the physical wear and tear that so much contact with the opponent entails.

Finally, comfort could not be missing in shoes like these. So much effort will be much easier if your feet remain pampered. They are a battering ram.

Finally, we couldn't forget NIKE. Yes, they are the most expensive we have, and everyone who sells wants to sell the most expensive. In this case, it is also the best. We bring you the 4x4 hooper shoes.

The ZOOM EVIDENCE model marked a before and after for this brand. It is the most balanced model shown so far.

At first glance, we can guess this from the superficial appearance of each one. The first ones are for moving like a skater, the second ones are bulky and powerful, these are elegant and versatile.

Its asymmetrical Flywire design highlights the strength of shoes with great cushioning and comfort, and the dynamism with the superficial fabric that keeps the foot temperate with its breathability. All this, thanks to an ultra-light upper composed of several layers.

You can do whatever you want with them. They're good for directing the team's play, for running fast breaks, for trying your hand in the paint, for being a sharpshooter from the 6.75-meter line, or a scorer from anywhere.

The sole's pattern tells us this. The Phylon midsole with the Zoom Air unit in the metatarsal area for a perfect fit, lockdown, and responsive cushioning.

With friends like these, many great players have been born.

Dare to be the next great player with BeUrbanRunning, or BeUrbanBasket, whatever you prefer.

#lovingbasketball

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