The National Basketball Association (NBA) decided to bar all professional players from wearing a shoe because it gives players “an undue competitive advantage,” according to their website. The NCAA hasn’t yet followed the NBA’s lead, which means that college basketball players are still able to wear them.
The use of the shoes would allow anyone to jump higher, but Sports Illustrated’s Chris Ballard says that they could be even more effective in a college basketball court.
"They say an average athlete will get about 3 and half inches higher with these,” said Ballard. “But the founders Adam and Ryan Goldston told me that when you take an elite athlete, or a collegiate athlete—someone who’s on that level—it can go up as high as eight."
The company rejoices
But the company that sells the shoes, Athletic Propulsion Lab (APL), does not appear to be disappointed about the ban. The NBA’s reaction seems to validate their claim that the shoes do enhance performance and it seems they are now attempting to use the ban as advertizing.
Soon after the NBA’s announcement came out, APL modified their website, featuring a big red stamp that reads “BANNED BY THE NBA,” along with a warning that may very well move people to buy the product, rather than drive them away.
“Load ‘N Launch™ technology”
APL says that their “Concept 1” shoe is designed for the pros and its construction is the key to the advantages:• It is super lightweight
• It fits perfectly snug
• And it allows for stability, shock absorption and an improved vertical lift, according to their website.
"It's essentially a metal spring sandwiched between plastic. The idea is that it channels your energy up to this part of the shoe, and then when you jump off your forefoot, it provides a better rebound effect," said Ballard.
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