Yes the designs are for the most part weaker but.......

As far as the players go, i don't figure how you can relate to some of these players you named, and don't relate to others. David Robinson vs Dwight Howard.... Strong Christians and super athletic ripped big men. Difference, You could say Robinson had a good outside shot but he was only accurate from a short distance. Howard is working with ewing ( a much better shooting big man) to extend his game..keep in mind the guy turned 23 three days ago. That's younger than robinson was when he started. Tony Parker vs Chauncy Billups. One has a gay name the other has a gay face. They also lead their teams in scoring (until chauncy went to the nuggets) and were clutch shooters who know exactly how to get there team involved. Manu is an effective but unorthadoxed player who busts his ass every game...I see how you relate to that. Heres one major person you left out. Derrick Rose. Hes on addidas he's a quiet floor general who doesnt ever talk crap is a class act off the court and is already been called the future along with Chris Paul. If you've seen him play....you have to agree. Now players like melo who get caught with drugs in there carry ons, and Rasheed Wallace who gets caught with a pound of grass in his car, and Shawn Marion who forces the suns to trade him cause they wont pay him enough, or Amare Stoudamire who has no outside game and no D.... Those are also some of the players that Nike has on the squad. Let's not just point out the Tmacs and not point out the KG's and Derrick Roses. Yes the shoes aren't that great from a design standpoint, and sharing your shoe with other players isn't that great either, but they do have some solid basketball shoes which usually outlast the nike ones. But who cares what they're wearing anyways. Does anyone know what stephen Curry wears? No because your too busy watching him kill it on the court. case ajourned.