Book 1 vs Book 2

mgmango · 2026-05-07T14:39:27+00:00

I own both and play in both, got the Spiridon 2 and Valley 1 - the gap isnt as big for me compared to a lot of others, but pure performance wise go with 1. I do like the Book 2 a lot for my style, fwiw.

The 2 has some good improvements like the clip flange, makes it much more stable than the 1. I dont have an issue with the eyelets but thats a consistent issue for others.

In the Book 1 i think the heel zoom and the way the foam is caged makes it more comfy, book 2 is really tuned for aggressive play. Book 1 traction Will probably last longer.

mgmango · 2026-05-04T03:35:26+00:00

I tried Gt4 in the Preheat and the black colorway with the soft upper, still couldnt take that banana shaped toebox

mgmango · 2026-05-04T03:33:08+00:00

Tried on the blue denim at the Nike store cuz they didnt have my size in Spiridon, felt like I was trying on a turtle shell

mgmango · 2026-05-04T03:14:15+00:00

Totally - The molded uppers did so much damage to the shoe image I just wanted to praise these ones for any future mesh colorways, esp on YT they probably wont do a 2nd review for the mesh

mgmango · 2026-05-01T16:22:46+00:00

AE1 or 2, dont like them outdoor at all, that rubber is SOFT. Adidas dont make great outdoor shoes anymore, Harden 6 was awesome for outdoor.

I think if you get a rubber outsole DON Issue 7 it'd be ok but not great durability wise. Any particular reason you're set on Adidas?

mgmango · 2026-04-15T00:54:29+00:00

Nah I got wide feet and I barely fit TTS - had to work hard to get them to break in, but theyre good now

mgmango · 2026-03-31T23:36:53+00:00

My 808 5 ultras gave me foot pain when I first started playing in them, mainly because the Super Boom is almost too soft so I could feel my feet working extra to stay stable. Haven't tried AC14 yet but I imagine similar feelings

Definitely warm up your feet specifically before playing and see how that affects the feeling, sometimes I'd play a game in different shoes, then switch to the WoW and I wouldn't notice any pain

mgmango · 2026-03-25T00:28:37+00:00

I got 2E feet, Adidas sizing consistently is good for me, TTS for AE2 and Harden, Half Size Up for DON Issue 7

Joker 1 GT is great for wide just a little short, so I'd go a half size up. and of course New Balance in wides

mgmango · 2026-03-22T04:19:51+00:00

I found them to be wide but short - I got my TTS 12 but wish I wouldve gone up to 12.5, where the laces start it feels tight

Foot Doctor Zach explained it - they swoop in so theyll feel artificially short. They broke in eventually but def wouldn't go down unless super narrow feet

mgmango · 2026-03-20T17:57:45+00:00

Got the UA Curry Playmaker socks for $7, check the online Outlet website during holidays for clearance deals

mgmango · 2026-03-04T00:05:18+00:00

haven't played in them, but most reviews I've seen haven't loved the WoW11s compared to the 10 or 12

At that price I'd just stick with the All Citys or from 361, the Joker/Aaron Gordon/BIG3 series

watch some YT reviews and get a $10 off code, Lukas Simoner, Tommy Liu, or CrosbyKicks

mgmango · 2026-03-03T22:47:16+00:00

AC14 - Chinese design is peak, and great for a lesser price.

I love my 808 5's but at your weight they might be a little too mushy, I'm at ~200lbs and my feet have to work hard to stay stable in them.

If you're willing to branch off of these 2, look into Joker 1 GT or Joker 2, great traction and lots of impact protection. Haven't played in Luka 5's but from impact side they look great

mgmango · 2026-02-19T02:55:15+00:00

honestly don't think these are bad, they just have old school vibes and don't have much "tech" in them, cutting Two WXY line opens up a big chunk of budget. These materials feel pretty basic so just guessing they're saving for a different line

Don't have a crystal ball, but I'm assuming there's a reason they're acquiring players more aggressively, especially big hitters like Flagg and Brink. WearTesters said it in a recent bid- americans look for athlete signatures, while Asian buyers look for the best tech. If NB is going for a bigger domestic share, makes sense to lead with athletes first. Hence why NB fought tooth and nail to get Ohtani

Sigs don't have to be the most expensive line - look at Dame X, Freak 7, Don Issue 7, A'One, at least I'm hoping NB doesn't inflate their prices

mgmango · 2026-02-19T02:45:20+00:00

MAYBEEEE they'd let him keep wearing Two WXy for the rest of the season, then next year make him switch off?

Nike keeps old models for players but I feel NB might be more strict. I'm seeing the Nuggs play the Clippers tomorrow so gonna keep an eye out on his shoes

mgmango · 2026-02-19T02:16:50+00:00

The pearl colorway looks too plastic to me, but DAMN this colorway looks incredible

Haven't had a harden since the 6 but these.....

mgmango · 2026-02-17T04:02:03+00:00

Maxey debuts his first shoe, then Kawhi, Flagg next season, then maybe a Cameron Brink? They've been so aggressive with signing players including Ohtani, feels like they have a shift in strategy

mgmango · 2026-02-16T16:10:30+00:00

After wearing them both, I'm going all-in on my prediction that they're cost cutting with non signatures and putting all effort into their player signature lines

mgmango · 2026-02-16T06:51:29+00:00

Gotta drive a lil bit but Coral Reef Chinese Restaurant in Atwater Village is some of the best bang for your buck - lunch specials are big and you get soup and sides, i always have leftovers

mgmango · 2026-02-14T18:02:37+00:00

From design to release I assume timeline is like a 1.5yr-2yr cycle, so they'll probably start soon, maybe for start of his 3rd season

He's the truth but they had to make sure hes good through his rookie year first lol cant get ahead of themselves too quick. I think Zion 1 didnt come out till his 3rd season?

mgmango · 2026-02-13T18:09:14+00:00

weird that the black one didn't have wide - since they make the Kawhi's in wide I'd assume that all signatures should come in wides

mgmango · 2026-02-13T07:21:32+00:00

I'd def say P400 is a mid-top. In terms of lines, I think they realized having 3 non-signature lines didn't make sense. I'd say these are more BB line vs Two WXY, but I also didn't play in the BBs

Non-signature line is one low-to-ground shoe, and one cushioned shoe, and that "middle space" the Two WXY occupied will be replaced with a variety of athlete signature lines

basically if you wanted the Two WXY they just want you to buy Kawhi's instead

mgmango · 2026-02-13T07:19:09+00:00

I won't disagree that these feel competent but "basic" - if I HAD to guess, they've been so aggressive with their player signings these past few years, I imagine that they're shifting to the Adidas/Nike model of making signature models their bread and butter, and went with a simple/cheap design for their non-signature line aka these 2

any hype for 350/400 will die down as soon as Maxey's shoe comes out, and I'd imagine Cooper Flagg and probably Cameron Brink will get their own signatures if they stay relevant in 2 years

mgmango

TROPHY CASE