Its pressure is located on the ankle as opposed to where the laces tie. The biggest reason it feels so supportive without being restrictive? The laces are high-quality and rest on a very sturdy yet cushy tongue that doesn’t choke my foot when tight. This is due not only to the build of the shoe but also in large part to the materials used. I like tight-fitting shoes, but this preference has led to my feet losing sensation in other sneakers during an intense workout. The shoes felt great on my feet and never hurt, even though I had my laces drawn tight. This speaks to the Freak 2’s diverse performance measures. I could guard my opponent on one end of the court and run the fast break quicker on the other end. I felt quick laterally (side to side) and didn’t lose any speed off my first step they felt really lightweight on my feet. The sneakers performed perfectly during my first time playing in them.

The sneakers remained snug on my foot, but I had no problems after two hours of use. However, any anxiety about ankle pain subsided after my first wear. My ankle was almost too tight for my comfort, something I worried about once I got on the court. When I tried the Freak 2s on in the store, I immediately noticed how snug my entire foot felt in the shoe. I also love the vintage “Freak” logo on the tongue with modern style elements. The small strap on the back of the sneaker offers a smidge more heel support, even though the rest of the sneaker doesn’t lack for it. The tongue gives even more foot support and rests snugly on the top of my feet without any real negative pressure. The stitching and materials used in the Freak 2 are vast improvements from the first generation Freak 1s. They also designed a more aerodynamic sneaker for speed. The sole balances firm and sturdy and doesn’t feel clumsy to wear. This allows for more stability and more explosivity. An outrigger is the outside of the sneaker sole that protrudes out, giving the user a broader base. They utilized an outrigger design on the sole, which forms a wider front section. Once you become acquainted with its nooks and crannies, however, you become impressed with all of the innovations Nike incorporated.īecause of the combination of speed, quickness, and strength that Giannis plays the game with, his shoe needed to address many different aspects simultaneously-and they did just that. What I love about the shoe’s design is that it initially looks unassuming. Nike sees in Giannis a new archetype for the modern athlete, which means the sneaker they created with him has to be fit for a Freak. He plays at a speed and ferocity rarely seen in the league, and his movements are so complex that we knew his signature shoe would be unique. Reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year and MVP Giannis Antetokuonmpo is called The Freak for good reason. My comprehensive review of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Nike Zoom Freak 2s will cover the ins and outs of one of the year’s best sneakers.

When you wear the same pair of sneakers for an entire college season (I played in a Division III school without a big-time sneaker budget), you form opinions about which sneakers just feel right (and some that definitely don’t). As a former college basketball player and someone who has played the game for over three decades, I cannot overstate the importance of good sneakers.

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