All About Basketball Shoes

[edc]

http://basketbawful.blogspot.com/2006/08/o...hoe-review.html

 

The Official Starbury One Shoe Review

 

The guys over at The Association have already talked about the Starbury Ones, so you can go there if you want the full story and origin of Stephon Marbury's signature shoe. If, on the other hand, you want to know whether the shoes are actually worth the cheap pleather they were printed on, you've come to the right place.

 

At a mere $14.98, the price of the Starbury Ones is unprecedented. I mean, there are homeless people walking the streets of Chicago who paid more for the paper bags they rubber-banded to their feet. And since we've been taught that even the most basic basketball shoes will run you anywhere from $50 to $70, the natural assumption is that the Starbury Ones are poorly made. And yet Stephon's offical site claims that the shoes are "exactly the same as the most expensive kicks in the market." Don't know what to believe? Well open wide baby bird, 'cause momma's got a big fat nightcrawler of Truth for you.

 

In order to review such an unprecedented shoe, I needed an unprecedented rating system, which is why I created the Starbury Shot Quantity Evaluator . Just as Stephon's personal happiness is directly proportional to the number of shots he gets in any given game, the SSQE rates shoes based the "quantity of shots" ratio that determine's Marbury's relative level of post-game satisfaction:

 

 

5 Shots = An unacceptable failure

 

10 Shots = A slight underachievement

 

15 Shots = Generally sufficient

 

20 Shots = Strangely pleasing

 

25+ Shots = So close to perfect you'll probably thank God

Mission Statement: 25+ shots

Every pair of Starbury Ones (and, in fact, everything in the Starbury Line) comes with a tag that reads as follows:

 

 

"This is about you and me. This is about you and me changing the world. This is about you and me saying it's not about the commercials, the gimmicks, the dollar signs. This is about you and me showing the world that it can be done. Starbury is my life. This line was built on what I've been through. From Coney Island to Madison Square Garden. These are the shoes I wear on the court; these are the clothes I wear off it. This is what I believe in. I'm tired of people saying it can't be done. Change the world with me."

Since Stephon is a selfish gunner with a well-earned reputation as a locker room cancer, it would be easy enough to cynically disregard these words. Just ask Larry Brown. But you've gotta admit, it sounds really good.

 

Availability: 5 Shots

I spent over a week trying to get my Starbury Ones, and it was a complete pain in the ass. I called the local Steve and Barry's (the only place the Starbury Line is sold) to reserve a pair. Somebody named "Debra" took my name, shoe size, and color preference, and told me I had to pick the shoes up by Saturday (they were released on Thursday). But when I showed up Thursday night, I was told by the store manager that S&B's doesn't reserve its merchandise. Even worse, all the Starbury shoes were already sold out. However, the manager assured me that another shipment was due tomorrow.

 

I called the next day and talked to "Lisa." I asked if the new Starbury shipment had come in, and she said no new shipments of anything were due until next week, and that there was no set day...the shipments just come in "whenever." When I asked to speak to the store manager, she informed me that she was the manager.

 

This process of calling and going by the store went on for an agonizing eight days. I finally found a single pair of size 13 Starbury Ones, in white. There were only two other pairs in the store; a white size 9 and a black size 11.

 

It shouldn't be that hard to get shoes. It really shouldn't. The sad part is, people are already selling the shoes on eBay. One schmuck is trying to sell a pair for $34.99 and charging $9.50 to ship them. Nice. Nothing like selling a $15 shoe for $45. What makes this an extra "Soon my Electro-Ray Will Destroy Metropolis" level of superdickery is that people are consciously buying shoes intended for the underprivileged for the purpose of reselling them for profit. I would like to extend a hearty "f#&k YOU" to those people.

 

Appearance: 20 Shots

Say what you will, but the Starbury Ones look good. They don't look like $150 shoes, but they look a hell of a lot better than $15 shoes have any right to look. They're sleek and stylish without being tacky (anyone remember the Dada Spree's?). I would not be ashamed to wear these shoes in public. And if they didn't say "Starbury" on the back, I might even feel downright good about wearing them.

 

Construction: 10 Shots

The leather of the shoe is extremely thin. The tongue of the shoes looks like it's held in by cheap medical gauze. The insole almost fell out when I removed the paper they stuff into the shoe so it holds its shape. Simply put, it's not the best made shoe in the world. But then again, for $15 how could it be?

 

I was tempted to rate the shoe's construction at 15 Shots, because it's the most well-crafted cheap shoe I've ever seen. However, the shoe is being touted as "exactly like" the most expensive basketball shoes on the market, and that's like saying a Big Mac is "exactly" like filet mignon. If used rigorously, these shoes will not last as long as more expensive shoes. And a Big Mac will give you a worse case of gas then a filet. I'm just sayin'.

 

Coolness Factor: 15 Shots

I wore these shoes to a pickup basketball game. I told everybody I was wearing Starbury Ones, and I explained how much they cost and that they were created to provide affordable basketball shoes for the urban youth. I then received a steady stream of mockery for the rest of the night.

 

But here's the thing: I was only made fun of after I told people about the shoes. Before that, nobody said anything about them. So sure, the Starbury Ones weren't wowing anybody, but nobody noticed they were "cheap shoes" until it was revealed. And mind you, some of these people are shoe fiends that absolutely must buy two copies of every pair of Air Jordans that come out, and they will not hesitate to laugh at someone for wearing Converse or low-end Nikes. So the Starbury Ones actually did an excellent job of fitting in and masquerading as middle to high-end shoes...which is exactly what they're supposed to do.

 

Wearability: 5 Shots

This is where the Starbury Ones fail. They just aren't comfortable. They ride high and really grip the ankle. This means that the shoes are hard to get on, rub the hell out of your ankle while you're wearing them, and then they're hard to take off. They're also rather big and clunky for basketball shoes, reminiscent of basketball shoes from the mid-90s. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the leather is thin and so the shoes are actually pretty light.

 

Speaking of the leather...it has all the flexibility of a cardboard box. Maybe there's a breaking-in period or something, but instead of comforming to the movement of your feet, the leather actually "caves in" while you walk. This caving-in process can produce sharp little indentations that poke your feet. This doesn't just happen while you're hooping it up, either; it also happens when you're just walking around. It's both annoying and a little painful.

 

The shoes don't have any arch support either, and there's very little padding, so it can feel like you're running up and down the court with a couple wooden planks strapped to your feet. Due to the weak sole and complete lack of arch support, it's difficult to jump and accelerate when running out on a fast break (not to mention the "clomp, clomp, clomp" sound you'll make while running). This will be a deterrent to almost anyone who plays competitive basketball, but especially to someone like me who has flat feet. By the end of the night, both of my feet were sore and my left knee was aching. I don't know how Stephon is going to get through next season playing in these things.

 

Overall Rating: 5 or 15 Shots

The final rating of these shoes really depends on what you're using them for. If you want something that looks cool to walk around in, then the Starbury Ones are a damn good shoe for $15. You could probably even use some gel inserts to make them more comfortable. BUT...if you expect to play basketball in them, you're going to be tragically disappointed. Not only will you end up with chronically sore feet to go along with your aching knees and ankles, the shoes aren't constructed well enough to last long under the pressure of serious balling. This isn't in the tagline, but Marbury might have created the first fully disposable basketball shoe.

 

 

*Bigla ako napaisip nung nabasa ko ito. "but Marbury might have created the first fully disposable basketball shoe."

Edited September 1, 2006 by edc

[pao^_^]

Ibalik mo ulit dun sa pinalitan mo dati. Kahit wala resibo sigurado naman maalala nila na dun mo binili yun kasi pinalitan na nga eh.

 

Pero may mga nabasa nga ako ganyan regarding sa Jordan na madali bumigay. Karamihan yung mga Retro madali bumigay.

 

 

oo nga ambilis talaga, un unang pair na nakuha ko, twice ko lang ata nagamit umangat na un tahi, tapos pinapalitan ko , pahirapan pa, almost 1month ako naghintay, di ko naman nagamit un shoes after ko makuha kasi di ako makapglaro ng tym na un(june) tapos ng wed ginamit ko sya for the first time, hindi lang umangat un tahi, natanggal na talaa sya..badtrip nga sobra e.sana nga tanggapin kahit walang resibo, kasi pag tingin ko sa shoes nakadikit pa pala un price nya sa ilalim.hehe

[edc]

oo nga ambilis talaga, un unang pair na nakuha ko, twice ko lang ata nagamit umangat na un tahi, tapos pinapalitan ko , pahirapan pa, almost 1month ako naghintay, di ko naman nagamit un shoes after ko makuha kasi di ako makapglaro ng tym na un(june) tapos ng wed ginamit ko sya for the first time, hindi lang umangat un tahi, natanggal na talaa sya..badtrip nga sobra e.sana nga tanggapin kahit walang resibo, kasi pag tingin ko sa shoes nakadikit pa pala un price nya sa ilalim.hehe

 

Ako sayo next time mag-basa(read) ka muna ng mga Reviews ng mga shoes sa internet bago ka bumili ulit. Kasi mababasa mo dun yung experience ng mga other buyers sa shoe kung "true to size", "madali masira", cleaning procedure",traction, comfortabilty.......etc

 

(Like yung ZKB1 na binili ko, dapat pala half-size smaller binili ko kaya papalitan ko din. Ang nakakatuwa nabasa(read) ko na dati yun kaso hindi ko sinunod kasi nung sinukat ko parang ok naman yung size 10 pero pero nung nasa bahay na ako sinukat ko ulit at nung nilakad ko eh yung heel ko parang umaangat sa loob na parang pangit yung kapit sa heel area.)

 

Tapos kung bibili ka ulit dun ka sa Nike Park Greenbelt kasi mas ok yung mga staff dun. Wala pa ako experiece sa Stadium. Iba Company may hawak yang dalawa.

Edited September 1, 2006 by edc

[bosorero]

I think yung quality ng Starburry line is similar sa mga counterfeit sa greenhills considering na pareho sila ng price. (less than 1k). Medyo exagerated ata yung review or sanay lang paa nila sa highend shoes.

 

Bad trip sarado na pala ung AND1 podium. Dito pa naman ok na bumili ng sale Items. Since the Rich kids who go here gets regular-priced kicks.

[derrick28]

Wait na lang tayo mag-landing ang starbury sa tin. Para ma-road test talaga ung shoes!

[Marshall Bruce]

I think yung quality ng Starburry line is similar sa mga counterfeit sa greenhills considering na pareho sila ng price. (less than 1k). Medyo exagerated ata yung review or sanay lang paa nila sa highend shoes.

 

Bad trip sarado na pala ung AND1 podium. Dito pa naman ok na bumili ng sale Items. Since the Rich kids who go here gets regular-priced kicks.

 

kaya nga tsong...sarado na...ok pa man din mga shorts ng and1. badtrip.

 

on topic: buti kung ilabas dito saten yang kicks ni marbury. pagdating dito baka mahal din yan.

Edited September 7, 2006 by Marshall Bruce

[bosorero]

kaya nga tsong...sarado na...ok pa man din mga shorts ng and1. badtrip.

 

on topic: buti kung ilabas dito saten yang kicks ni marbury. pagdating dito baka mahal din yan.

 

kung mahal at ganun ang quality. di mabibili yan. And thats a good news for the kicks keepers here. It will be on sale

[ghetto_gospel]

Yo! Anyone know if this pair will be released here??

[Marshall Bruce]

Yo! Anyone know if this pair will be released here??

 

the only colorway I have seen so far in Nike Outlets are those of N. Carolina.

[kanto-terrorist]

anyone who visit the shoe section of robinson's galleria? meron dung Kobe shoes which is not a nike???how could this be?

[digitalsober]

anyone who visit the shoe section of robinson's galleria? meron dung Kobe shoes which is not a nike???how could this be?

 

local yun dude, nakita ko din yan sa shoe section ng sm

[revi]

local yun dude, nakita ko din yan sa shoe section ng sm

 

locally made? how were they able to get Kobe to pose for them? And how come Nike agreed?

 

I have seen the shoes, but I thought to myself that maybe Nike agreed to terms with Kobe to have his own shoe business but the shoes can not be worn by Kobe.. Ang nakita ko kasi ay hawak-hawak lang ni Kobe yung shoes.. They are basically not attractive though..

 

Anyone care to comment..

[bosorero]

Maybe the word Kobe is not Copyrighted so nagamit sya freely ng gumawa ng shoes. If you look at kobe shoes posters pinotoshop lang yung jersey nya looks like he was originaly wearing a laker jersey in an NBA game inedit lang.

 

Guys question naman. Is it ok to buy shoes that are of old stock? like 2 years na sa store? di ba brittle na yun?

[edc]

Guys question naman. Is it ok to buy shoes that are of old stock? like 2 years na sa store? di ba brittle na yun?

 

Kung 70-80% off carry na. Pero check maigi yung swelas.

 

Huhulaan ko yang shoes na 2years na sa store............Air Zoom Generation ba?

[addic2sx]

mga bossing question lng po... if i will buy a Zoom Lebron II, is it still ok? probably old stock na to... but on sale