Putting the Dunk in Hyperdunk

(中文版，請到這裡。)
 
Last season's rookie phenom Blake Griffin reminded every basketball fan of the slam-dunk.  How it must have felt to soar through the air, catch a pass lobbed too high, throw it down in the face of an ill-informed defender and the crowd erupting in appreciation.

The Zoom Hyperdunk 2011 will NOT give you those feelings unless you possess Blake's uncanny combination of finesse and power, but even the most casual onlooker will appreciate these shoes.

Appreciated by Dr. Doom and the Godfather…

I, I, I WORKOUT

Following the design language of its predecessors, the Hyperdunk 2011 is one sexy looking shoe.  The Blake Griffin model in particular has a bright mango upper with 3M earthquake fault lines hidden within.  A glow-in-the-dark heel counter (that doesn't really glow much) and a crackling black and orange midsole finish the explosive look.

Straight CRACK

I caught at least five people looking at my feet while shopping in Times Square.

The most surprising thing I noticed about them was even after long sessions of basketball, there were no visible creases on the toebox or medial side of the shoe.  The wrinkles in the midsole were also naturally camouflaged by the crackling pattern and any dirt on the Flywire upper was easily cleaned off. 

Photo source: NIKE VAULT

FIT ME BABY ONE MORE TIME

As basketball shoes are cut lower and lower, the HD2011 stays true to its heritage with a hi-cut profile that feels lower than it looks but offers impressively more security for the range of motion.  My previous basketball shoes were predominantly the Zoom Kobe V and Jordan 2010.  Obviously this is a lot higher, but not so high that it felt restrictive.

In my experience with the HD2011, there is some excess room in the toebox.  It doesn't press down snugly on the top of your toes.  At first I thought this might be a problem, but it did not transpire on the court.  The shoe still felt secure and there wasn’t any noticeable movement within the shoe.  Sure, the fit isn't as snug near your toes, but the upper and heel more than makes up for it.

Glow-in-the dark heel counters, which don’t really glow…

This is where the HD2011 truly shines.  Much like Blake, the new upper material has the uncanny combination of power and finesse: Power to protect during play and finesse to mold specifically to your feet.  Obviously this is coupled by an awesome lace system, which comfortably wraps the Flywire around your foot.  I didn't register any discomfort from the lace pressure despite the thinly padded tongue.  That’s probably because I don’t tend to tie my laces too tight.

I usually wear US9.5 for Jordans and US10 for Nike Basketball, and this is no exception as the US9.5 felt a little tight on the sides for me.

QUAKE LIKE BLAKE

As I noted in the beginning of this review, these shoes will not give you previously non-existent dunking prowess.  What it can provide is superb on-court performance.

The outsole is fairly similar to the previous iteration with minor cosmetic updates that allow you to peek into the Zoom Air encased within.  Honestly, Zoom Air isn't much to look at, but boy is it nice to step on!

Heel and forefoot Zoom bags give you a comfortable ride that is supportive but still feels close enough to the ground for maximum responsiveness.  For me, the Jordan 2010's are still the most generous in terms of cushioning, but these feel much quicker.  Jordan 2010 is like a luxurious 5-series while the HD2011 is more akin to the GTI; snappier and younger (less wrinkles too!).

Yeah, that’s only a 1-series… (Photo source: autohome.com.cn)

The HD2011 is also a lot lighter than Jordan 2010's.  In fact, it's lighter than most hi-top basketball shoes in the market with the exception of Crazy Light.  Personally I stopped caring ever since the Zoom Kobe II's blew my mind in terms of weight, but if you have a marked preference, then these will suit you nicely.

BIG IS BEAUTIFUL

In modern basketball, fans are modeling their game towards the wing and point positions with dribble penetration, 3-pointers and fancy layups.  This is especially true in Hong Kong where ballers are relatively nimbler and thinner.

Well, I’m relatively thicker…

Size matters…

Watching Blake Griffin tear it up last season, he really inspired me to take every advantage of my size and become a post presence.  Lacing up the HD2011's gave me the psychological boost to bang for the rebound, get up to contest a shot, post-up and relish the contact. 

I'm not saying that the HD2011's are a big man's shoe, but it will definitely open up opportunities for you to play big.  Nike did a tremendous job in not only creating a quality product, but also pairing it up with the perfect front man.  Thanks for putting the DUNK back in HyperDUNK, Blake! 

Tiger jump… (Photo source: clippertown.com)