Basketball GIFTS And NOVELTIES




Gifts And Jerseys - BASKETBALL


The most recent years in basketball sneakers was marked by the return to prominence of the Jordan brand. A massive reproduction of retro editions celebrating the sneakers' 20th birthday helped drive the cause, but it was the evolution of Carmelo Anthony as the new face of Air Jordan that capped brand's rebirth. So it's no surprise that the latest Jordan signature sneaker, the Air Jordan Melo 5.5, tops our list of the Top 10 Basketball Sneakers of 2005.


1) Air Jordan Melo 5.5
A marvel of luxurious comfort and spartan construction, the Melo 5.5 is not for the casual sneaker wearer. It belongs on the court, where it's finest attributes can be appreciated. There's enough Hummers trolling the suburbs -- keep the Melo 5.5 on the parquet and on the blacktop. And try to take note of all the numerous nuances of the shoe that speak to Carmelo Anthony's heritage.


2) Nike Air Huarache 2K5
The performance leader carries a big price tag, but involves no frivolous features or short-sighted gimmickry. In short: if you're willing to shell out premium dollars for a sneaker but want some serious staying power, then the Huarache 2K5 is the one for you.


3) adidas T-Mac 5
So powerful was the pull of brand Jordan that adidas' franchise T-Mac line began to take on the look of the Air Jordan -- particularly the XI and XVIII. Gone is the contrived HUG system, replaced by the even more gimmicky inclusion of actual wood in the design that can be sign in the heel and sole. But for all the gripes over innovation being confused with gimmickry, the T-Mac is still an incredible shoe that performs while catching the eye.


4) Reebok Answer Pump IX
The landmark 10th Allen Iverson shoe for Reebok represents a serious aesthetic departure for the Answer line, which traditionally rode lower and lacked much in the way of technical advances or flashy features. As the name clearly states, the Answer Pump IX features Reebok's advanced pump system that automatically inflates the interior of the shoe to conform to the wearer's foot for a custom fit every time. Manufacturer's Site


5) Puma Clyde
Our retro sneaker of the year, the Clyde has a classic look (not nearly the unsightly flamboyance of its namesake Walt Frazier) and comes with some very unique features: gold lettering along the sides to denote where it was released, a picture of Clyde included with the packaging and some tools to help you care for the shoe. The success of the first release has led to another release scheduled this December. Best of luck trying to track down a pair.




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6) And 1 Tochillin Campus The top honors in the casual/stylin' category belongs to the AND 1 Tochillin Campus. The Tochillin is a shoe that looks and feels like a weightless, mesh glove on your soles, while leaving your wallet feeling heavier than usual at a cost of just $50.


7) Converse Wade
A derivative first signature effort for Dwayne Wade as the headliner for Converse. On the bright side, it's an incredibly lightweight model that's perfect for smaller guys, it's reasonably priced and Wade is hugely popular right now ... as you can see by the Top 10 NBA Jerseys list for 2005. A decent and sharp looking buy for those not interested in the "luxury line" of basketball sneakers.


8) k1x Strictly Business
The upstart k1x ('kickz') operation from Munich continues to make noise in the sneaker world. The crew's latest inspired creation, the camo Strictly Business, is a sleek beauty with its hexagonal, snakeskin-like appearance and precision engineering for on-court performance. A shoe that demands a true individual to pull it off.


9) New Balance BB902
The underrated New Balance brand continues to achieve under the radar with their latest basketball offering. Heads won't turn when you wear the BB902, but if you value dollars and performance and don't give a damn about aesthetics then you've found your shoe.


10) Zoom LeBron III
Forgive us if we're perplexed by the latest unattractive LeBron James signature shoe. Bulky, wrapped like a mummy, heavy as hell at nearly 21 ounces and, bottom line, lacking in imagination. The imagination in this case is in Nike's marketing, making a pair of colorways available in two different segments of the country to create an East vs. West division, and as such, faux exclusivity. A yawner for those who wear sneakers for the style, another slam dunk for those logging laps on the court.




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Basketball - Growing Taller