Great post.
I love my shoes, and I tend to agree. I've tried wearing retros and reissued shoes and my feet hurt. And I'm crap, can't imagine a pro using these when so much is out there to protect them.
I also think (no science) that low tops for big players is asking for trouble.

You're grasping at straws thinking his injury troubles are connected to his shoe choice.

Your assumption that low tops are bad for big's is also wrong.

Shoe choice CAN be connected to injuries.

Trying playing in a pair of Air Force ones and then a pair of 2016 Basketball shoes. There is a MASSIVE difference.

High tops only give you that mental protection that your ankles MIGHT be safer, but it really doesn't make a difference. If you jump and land on someones foot you are going to roll your ankle.

Keeping in mind many players strap their ankles and wear orthodics, shoe choice CAN affect players.

The retro's Prather chooses to wear aren't always made for actual Basketball use. The materials aren't optimized for basketball play.

It's only a small thing, but maybe it's a small contribution to a much BIGGER issue.

The retro shoes Prather wears aren't designed for basketball use?

I'm not even going to continue.

The aren't... they once were, but the way they are released now are LIFESTYLE releases.

For example. An original Jordan 7 would have been released with an all LEATHER upper, now they are released with other materials more suited to enhance the colour, look and feel of the shoe rather than the PERFORMANCE side of things.

This is common knowledge, something you clearly lack.

The VII has a full leather upper.
The X had a suede/nubuck, which is no less a quality of product to be used for a basketball sneaker. The X even actually has leather on the shoe as well to lock down the laces.

What do you think basketball shoes were made of before flywire, hyperfuse or any other kind of knit, mesh or product introduced in the last 10 years?

Hopefully you cool down from the flaming before responding.

Wilt Chamberlain played in Chuck Taylor's . End of thread

It's NOT JUST the materials, it's the form, cut and design of new sneakers.

Sure the retro Jordan's were great for Michael, but he was the best player ever. Prather isn't. He'd be better off in a contemporary pair of shoes.

Stats weren't all that accurate when Wilt was playing.

It's funny, Jordan never had many injuries playing in his shoes!

Jordan BROKE his FOOT while playing in the Air Jordan Twos.

But he was the GREATEST. So he's the exception.

This isn't about Jordan. This is about Prather, who clearly HAS an ongoing leg INJURY.

Is it the shoes?

Stick decent orthodic sports innersoles in the Jordan 3's 4's or 5's and they are sweet.

He wouldn't be buying the shoes from footlocker, sticking them on his feet and hitting the court. I doubt many of the players would, in any shoe.

The RE releases are not the same as the originals. But how can you expect a signature shoe to always be compatible with other players.
He probably likes the way they feel so it's his and other players issue.
I see David Andersen wears low tops and he hurt himself, but he did wear them for years. So who knows. I think shoes play a part so does, knee guards, under garment pads etc etc. You body compensates for less strength and imbalances.

The KEY is more players USE orthodics with whatever shoes they wear, also they have their ankles/knees/arms taped as well.

I could finish this off, but nahhhhhhhh

Lol they aren't gloves, they are kobe icon 'china's

I don't THINK you NEED to capitalise every other WORD.

I agree with you on the Kyrie 2s, a noticed a number of nbl players started wearing them and then switched after a game or 2 aswell.

"causing injuries" might be over-stating things a bit, but there's no doubt that when you play a lot of basketball, wearing the correct shoes for your feet can make a hell of a difference. It certainly did to me back in the day.

Love sneakers!

Any shoe can cause an injury if it is not fitted or faulty, old or new, or you are wearing them when you hurt yourself.

Everyone values something different, the usual compromise is court feel for cushion. Retros usually have more cushion, new shoes often have less cushion and more court feel, however some have firmer vs softer cushion they all differ.

After Agent zero wore dolce and gabanas in an NBA game and Thabo Sefalosha wore air max trainers (i think) it really comes down to preference.

Lot's of players slip all the time, it is a court issue not a shoe issue in the nbl (In my opinion)

Should he wear new shoes, no. He should wear what ever makes him comfortable.

I have been contemplating Harden 1's or Lillard 3's, but will probably get the NIke air zoom generation (Lebron 1's) when they re-release. Why I went undefeated in them in high school and love the shoe, will they be the most comfortable? I don't jump high enough for it to matter anymore!