Not So Bullet Proof: Blake Griffin Tears His Nike Hyperdunk 2011 Elite PE

shoe tear

Well this isn't good for Nike.

The recently released Nike Basketball Elite Series has been widely marketed as the highest quality basketball shoes ever created (and are noted as some of the most expensive).  Kevlar is among the materials used in the shoes' creation.  You know, that stuff that stops bullets from killing people.  Last night, Blake Griffin, one of the most highly-visible stars in the NBA, tore right through the left shoe of a brand new pair of Hyperdunk 2011 Elites during the Clippers' Game 5 loss to Memphis.  In the 1st quarter.  Yeah...

The immediate reaction of sneaker heads everywhere: Price does not equal quality.  The $200.00 Zoom Kobe VII Elite and Hyperdunk 2011 Elite, not to mention the $250.00 LeBron 9 Elite, have already taken heat for their inaccessibility to ballers on a budget.  This incident is the last straw for many, who would rather spend their hard earned coin on two, or even three other pairs of shoes (I'm looking at you, Zoom KD IVs).

Griffin was wearing a black "Away" PE with red branding, and tore the toe of his left shoe.  Marc Gasol stepped on his foot, and the shoe tore immediately after.  Don't blame Gasol, it isn't like he was wearing mountain climbing spikes.  Hopefully this was just a fluke defect and not something indicative of a future recall.

As always, we'll keep you posted on any future updates @kicksologists or on Facebook.


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Thomas Kramer is a graduate of the University of Oregon who writes to you from the Pacific Northwest. Follow him on Twitter @thomaskramer.

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