Everyone knows that shooting a basketball is easier when the shot is uncontested, but only a few people know the specific space between the one who has the ball and the defender to ensure the former makes a score.
A study from the MIT revealed that for every foot of space created by a player on the offense against the defender, shooting percentage for NBA players rises by 2 percent. While that number might seem small, it’s in the minutia that the likes of Kobe Bryant play.
Nike aims to take advantage of the 2 percent improvement by creating the “Kobiest Kobe yet,” the KOBE NXT 360, which features a three-part structure of wrap-around Flyknit, a drop-in dual-intensity midsole, and an outsole—working together to provide the surest possible footing.
Made for players like the Black Mamba, Nike improved KOBE 360’s traction and connectivity around corners. Wear tests administered by Nike’s NXT and Sport Research Lab teams analyzed quickness around the three-point arc, a distance of 50-feet, and showed that pushing off of a banked surface allows for more force and quickness—keys to creating separation from the defender.
The design of the shoes is also made for quick cuts, as players on the offense make 50 percent more cuts and sharp, quick movements, than players on the defense.
Meanwhile the drop-in for the KOBE 360 balances Lunarlon foam on the perimeter, which provides a supportive platform on the bank, with plush Nike REACT technology directly underfoot for all-game comfort.
Finally, the wrap-around Flyknit construction of the KOBE 360 is steamed directly on the last to mimic the anatomical shape of the foot, allowing for a more conformed fit as well as the elimination of harsh corners both on the footbed and then with ground contact. Ultimately, the advanced fit makes it easier for the player to create a separation between himself and the defender.
The KOBE NXT 360 rolls out on April 13 at select Nike Basketball retailers.