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Smart Shopping for Basketball Shoes

Four or five decades ago, there was no such thing as making a fashion statement with basketball shoes. They were made of canvas and they came in black or white. They laced up and were simply a tool of the trade for running up and down a hardwood floor or concrete court to play basketball. However, the shoe industry has become incredibly competitive and nowhere is this more true than in the basketball shoe division. Athletes like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have put their names on expensive shoes that consumers desire. Their names are generally associated with high-quality and protective shoes, but they also come at a premium.

What to Look for
While many things have changed in the shoe business, one thing hasn't: size. No matter how much a consumer loves Nike's Air Jordans, they have to fit properly or they won't help at all. Shoes need to provide support for your particular feet and the ankles while also allowing a comfortable fit. Some shoes have so many "bells and whistles" that the shoe can be too heavy. You are best off looking for the proper fit, comfort and support instead of the celebrity endorsement. Taking care of those factors may seem obvious, but status is everything to many consumers and that can cause more harm than good.

Common Pitfalls
You need to look for shoes that give you a better chance of being successful on the basketball court. No shoe is responsible for developing ball-handling skills, passing or shooting, but an improper fit will prevent even the best athlete from playing his best basketball. Formfitting shoes that allow the athlete to pump up the support on the sides of the foot or the ankle are really not much different than traditional shoes but they cost more and are a bit superfluous.