Series material battle, part 7 : basketball shoes are more than just Equipment

In sports it is not only on the athletes. In our series, "battle of material", we describe, how much is determined by technique and Material in different types of sports.

Martin Hermannsson can't even count how many different pairs of basketball shoes he has worn in his life already. The structure of the players of Alba Berlin is a renowned lover of the Sneaker, as the players and Fans call the shoes. "My father worked in Iceland for Nike. That's why he has got often also limited models. My Sneaker collection is so equipped, since my birth quite well,“ says Hermannsson. His first Shoe was a Pair of the manufacturer's brand Jordan. He's still got it, meanwhile, it use to be son.

The Shoe culture and Basketball are inseparable. Also because the sneakers provide athletes with a second business model. Unlike in many other sports, basketball players will be able to market this part of your equipment for the creation of its own brand, and, ultimately, to generate a reputable in addition to earnings. Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James: More than 30 former and active NBA players have already launched their own Shoe collections on the market.

LeBron James has. the contract for life

LeBron James wrote at the age of 18 years, a contract for seven years with Nike, which earned him $ 93 million James was noted at the time, probably still in high school. Between February 2014 and January 2015, the company shoes sold by James in the value of $ 340 million. Meanwhile, the player and the company agreed to a lifetime contract. Sums such as these are no longer a rarity. James Harden of the Houston Rockets under in 2015, wrote a contract for 13 years with Adidas. For this he receives $ 200 million.

Martin Hermannsson plays in the shoes of James Harden. To him, it is required by the club to play in the shoes of the manufacturer. It was an adjustment for him, Hermannsson has a contract with another major supplier, in which he shoes played all his life. "I needed to start of the season a couple of workouts, until I found the optimal Pair for me," says Hermannsson.

is Supported. LeBron James has a highly doped Shoe contract on life-time.Photo: Imago

In his shoes, he especially pay attention to comfort: "I like the shoes on the sole a little softer." Besides, he could only play in Low-Tops. So in shoes that do not extend up over the ankle. Low-Tops or High-Tops, in basketball hours can discuss. And: "The shoes must look good," says Hermannsson. This is because, unlike many other sports equipment basketball shoes are, of course, but not exclusively, for the optimum use made. It is also a matter of style, Prestige, and the self-consciousness that can give a Shoe to the player. "It's a good feeling to be in the game, if you have a new, fresh Pair of sneakers on the feet. This can help you as a player, definitely,“ says Hermannsson. Because if you look good, games are automatically better.

Technical innovations were and are there shoes but also Basketball. Reebok has already worked from 1989 with the Pump System. In the Shoe flap is processed, the manufacturer of small pads that you could fill by Pressing on a small basketball-like ball at the upper end of the flap with air, the pressure on the feet.

self-lacing shoes for 350 Euro

30 years later, in February 2019, brought to Nike, the first self-cording basketball Shoe on the market. The shoes are, just like in the movie "Back to the future II" to recognize the base profile, and with the help of built-in motors automatically adapted to the foot. With an App the Close of both shoes can also be customized. Thus it is necessary to charge the sneakers are already a Gadget, again and again. Several NBA players wear the model already, the Fan or Amateur basketball player, it costs 350 euros.

the carrier represents That, in the case of the Sneaker but often the value of the material, shows the case of Zion Williamson. The 18-Year-old is playing currently in College Basketball for the Duke Blue Devils, but already as the next great player in the NBA. When in the all over the country transferred game against North Carolina Williamson injured himself after his left Nike Shoe drilldown in the case of a Abstoppbewegung on the left side and the sole broke almost from the Rest of the Shoe. In consequence, the share of the world's leading sporting goods provider, fell by up to 1.7 per cent. Louis Richter

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series material battle, part 7, With 300 Spikes under my ass

Laurenz Schreiner

published so Far: "sled at the sledding", "Alpine Ski", "The rifle in Biathlon", "pads, and ice skates in ice hockey goalkeeper", "accurate Bob", "The suits of the ski jumper" and "The motorcycle at the ice Speedway".