Take a quick glance at some of the pictures and you'll see that there are quite a few similarities between the Shox BB4 and Air Zoom Flight 2K3. That is no coincidence. For the past 5 years, the BB4 has been the yardstick by which performance basketball shoes have been judged upon. Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that the 2K3 used much of the same formula as the old standard. Regardless of the outcome, it should be noted that both of these shoes are top rated and you can hardly go wrong with either. It should also be said that preference for these shoes also depends upon your style of game and the shape of your feet.

      Since the turn of the century, the one pair of basketball shoe that has set the industry standard has been the Shox BB4. We grew up in these. We bounced to these. We learned the hard way about the break-in period of Shox technology. The entire Boing concept spawned the Adidas A3 and Reebok XBeam. High schools, colleges and pro teams all involved the BB4. It has been the ultimate team shoe with numerous colorways. The BB4 provided pure performance at no expense of comfort. Cushioning was top of the line for its time and even today, holds a more than formidable 8+ rating on KG. Shox high density foam columns absorb the impact and return the energy back into the player like nothing we had seen before. It also set a safety standard with its monkey paw anti-inversion technology. To sum it up, the BB4 is the original – the Godfather of the Shox family. 10 years from now, we'll still remember the classic BB4 over these new joints like the Limitless or Status or Jumpoffs. Heck, Vince jumped over Weiss in these. 'Nuff said.

      The line of succession is clear. The 2K3 is here to reign. As great as the BB4 has been for the new millennium, no one can deny the 2k3 is what now sets the benchmark for performance. Thermo shell conforms to the foot over time and provides insane amount of ankle support. This is a new safety method that has surpassed the monkey paw used on the BB4. By building the anti-inversion technology into the shell itself, the 2K3 sheds much of the weight of the structure while providing even more support than ever before. From the toe to the heel, there's almost no weakness from a pure performance stand point. Break in? Sure... it takes a while, but not that much more than the BB4. The incredible amount of Zoom Air cushioning at the forefoot is responsive while the rear air sole unit is absorbing. The shoe provides excellent impact protection and cushioning feel. The advantage over the Shox technology is Zoom Air's low profile feedback. The wearer can get a much better hangle on the court as the feet can communicate closer to the ground. It is also much more suitable for guards who like to go from side to side rather than a toe-to-heel movement.

      There are two sides to every story. Here's our recommendation: The 2K3 is not your everyday cup of tea. It is slated to be an unabashed high performance shoe – so expect to give up the leisurely comforts you've come to expect. If this is a factor you are not willing to give up, then go with the BB4 - they are much more likely to pamper your feet. If that extra bit of execution on the court truly matters, then go with the 2K3. In terms of pure performance, the Flight 2K3 is in essence, the Ferrari of basketball shoes.

      Is safety a major concern with you? For those who do not care so much for ankle support, the BB4 would be the better option of the two. The Shox does not run nearly as high and has much more flexibility for side to side movement. The 2K3 simply restricts a lot of motion that one is accustomed to. However, if safety is a very important issue, then the 2K3 is the perfect shoe. The upper is so rigid it'll take some time to get used to but the support it provides is unparallel. This is one of few shoes on the market that we feel complete confidence in wearing without an ankle brace.