Nike basketball shoes are designed and constructed in a myriad of styles, hues, materials, and sizes. And they all are created to deal with the rigors that playing ball can bring to a shoe.

It is possible to buy basketball shoes with the swoosh at stores everywhere. Official Nike stores are found in big cities and are obvious places to buy these shoes. However, popular shoe stores, whether online or at the local mall, are also prime places to buy Nike shoes for your basketball game.

Nike is known for designing, creating, and selling shoes that are specific to NBA players who have achieved a certain status in the game or who are superstars. Such player edition models include ones associated with current mega-stars as Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James.

A case in point is that, in 2011, Zoom KD III will be released. Additionally, the LeBron 8 and the Zoom Kobe VI will also drop. As it normally goes, it is expected that each of these three, as well as other player models, will release starting in late 2010 and continue to be sold throughout the year in colors and patterns of all kinds.

However, it is the Air Jordan series, the signature hoops sneaker of Michael Jordan, that still remains the most popular and sought-after player model. 2010 saw the 25th anniversary of the shoe that started the player model craze and 2011 will see the next Air Jordan.

Until the 1984-85 NBA season, Nike basketball shoes were not all that popular amongst professional players. It had a niche, of course, but other brands, such as Converse and adidas, were as or more popular.

It all changed with the first kicks from Michael Jordan, the Air Jordan. It came in more than one color combination, including one that was mostly black and red that caused Jordan to get fined each time he wore them in an NBA game.

The Air Jordan II dropped the year following, which caused a sensation. Sneakers did not get updated each year. Although normal these days, it was not back then. Just on its own merit, AJ II was quite an innovative shoe. Being released so soon after the first model was bold.

Of course, there are other well-known models with no player affiliation, as well. Two popular models are the HyperDunk and the HyperFuse series. The HyperDunk is known for its light weight, coming in at under 12 ounces. The HyperFuse shoe is made of composites, making it light as well as strong.

A feature that many basketball kicks fans like is the NikeiD program. It is a feature found on its web site and in official Nike brick-and-mortar stores. This program allows customers to choose their favorite style of basketball shoe for personal creation.

All parts of the sneaker, from the laces to the heel, the sole to the swoosh, and anywhere in between, are available to be set in a myriad of colorways. Mesh, nubuck, patent leather, brushed leather, and suede are just a few of the materials that can be made into the shoe. The shoe can be done so as to create a unique shoe found nowhere else. There are virtually no limits to what can be constructed.