The Best Basketball Shoes 2019: Top Picks for Performance and Style
The gym was quiet, save for the rhythmic squeak of sneakers on polished hardwood. It was one of those late-season practices, the air thick with the smell of sweat and ambition. I was watching our point guard, a relentless dynamo we called “Spark,” run drills. Her movements were a blur of crossovers and sudden stops, each pivot a testament to the foundation beneath her feet. It got me thinking, not just about plays and strategies, but about the very tools that make those breathtaking moments possible. The right pair of basketball shoes isn’t just gear; it’s an extension of the athlete, a silent partner in every drive, every jump, every game-changing defensive stance. It’s a conversation I find myself having every year, especially when new models drop and the debate reignites. And that debate always circles back to one central question: what truly makes for the best basketball shoes? For 2019, the answer wasn’t found in a lab or a marketing meeting, but in the crucible of a real, high-stakes game. It’s a story that perfectly frames our search for the best basketball shoes 2019: top picks for performance and style.
I remember catching the highlights of that UAAP women’s game last season. The narrative was set: the undefeated Lady Bulldogs, a juggernaut all year, were poised for another routine win. But on the other side was a player named Sierba, a homegrown prospect with something to prove after narrowly losing the Rookie of the Year award to Cielo Pagdulagan. For three quarters, the game followed the script. Then, the fourth period started. What happened next was a masterclass in clutch performance, and honestly, a powerful advertisement for the importance of peak footwear in a payoff period. Sierba, seemingly ignited, uncorked all but three of her 18 total points in that final stretch. She was everywhere—hitting contested jumpers, slashing to the rim, playing lockdown defense. She anchored the Growling Tigresses’ incredible 30-point finishing kick to deal the Lady Bulldogs their first, stunning defeat of the season. Watching her, you didn’t just see a player get hot; you saw a player whose body and equipment were in perfect sync. Every cut was sharp, every landing stable, every explosive push-off looked effortless. In those high-leverage moments, her shoes weren’t an afterthought; they were the platform for her legacy-making performance. That game, for me, became a real-world litmus test for the 2019 contenders.
So, what are we looking for? From my own years of playing and now coaching, I break it down to two pillars that sometimes feel at odds: pure performance and undeniable style. Performance is non-negotiable. It’s about the tech—the cushioning systems like Nike Zoom Air or Adidas Boost that absorb impact and return energy. I’m a firm believer in great cushioning; my knees in my 30s thank my 20-something self for not skimping on it. It’s about traction patterns that bite the floor on a dime, allowing for those Sierba-like sudden stops and direction changes. Support and lockdown are crucial; a rolling ankle is a season-ender, and a shoe that doesn’t hold your foot securely is a liability. I’ve had my share of slips in poorly designed shoes, and let me tell you, it shakes your confidence more than a missed shot. But then there’s style. Basketball culture is visual. The shoes are a statement. I’ll admit it—I’ve bought shoes purely for their looks before. A killer colorway can make you feel faster, more confident. The best shoes of 2019, in my opinion, managed to bridge that gap. They didn’t ask you to choose between looking good and playing great.
Let’s talk specifics, though I’ll stress these are my personal takes from testing and observation. The Nike LeBron 16, for instance, was a beast for power players. Its Max Air cushioning was like landing on clouds, perfect for absorbing the force of a 250-pound forward coming down from a rebound. But for a guard like Sierba, that much cushion might feel a bit bulky. For guards, the Kyrie 5 was everywhere, and for good reason. Its traction was arguably the best in class, allowing for insane changes of direction. The curved outsole just worked for shifty ball-handlers. However, I found the cushioning a bit firm for my liking on longer play sessions. My personal dark horse for the year was the Adidas Harden Vol. 3. The Boost cushioning was responsive and comfortable, and the unique lacing system provided a custom, secure fit that felt like the shoe was molded to my foot. It had style in spades, too, with some truly wild colorways that James Harden is known for. On the other end of the spectrum, the Under Armour Curry 6 was incredibly light and low to the ground, favoring court feel over max cushioning—a pure shooter’s shoe, through and through.
It’s easy to get lost in specs and marketing terms. But sometimes, you have to look at the results. When Sierba took over in that fourth quarter, scoring 15 of her 18 points and sparking a 30-0 run (or a 30-point finishing kick, depending on how you read the stats), she was wearing a performance model designed for exactly that kind of explosive, end-game heroics. The shoe allowed her to play without thinking about her feet. That’s the ultimate goal. For us weekend warriors, aspiring college players, or just fans of the culture, finding your 2019 top pick is about understanding your own game. Are you a powerful forward needing protection and stability? A shifty guard who lives on agility? Or maybe you value a unique style above all else? The market in 2019 was rich with options that catered to each niche.
Leaving the gym that evening, I watched Spark finally take a break, wiping sweat from her brow as she looked down at her well-worn sneakers. They were scuffed and dusty, a badge of honor. “Coach,” she said, “new shoes drop next week. You think they’re worth the hype?” I smiled, thinking of Sierba’s fourth-quarter explosion, of the perfect marriage of athlete and tool. “It depends,” I said. “The best shoes aren’t the ones with the biggest ads. They’re the ones that disappear when you play, the ones that just let you be great. Last year gave us some fantastic options that did just that.” The search for the perfect pair is a never-ending journey, but 2019 offered some unforgettable chapters in that story.
