All in 1 The Unbelievable Story of Wilson’s Airless Basketball

Airless Basketball | Look, you know Wilson sent this to me. I didn’t spend $2,500, and if I did, this would probably go on a shelf as an artifact to look at. So you guys recall the video I made on the new, absolutely wild Wilson basketball? Well, something happened with that basketball. Full transparency here, it began to develop some tiny fractures. Is this a real thing meant to be used, or is it a collector’s item? I know it’s got the fancy base, and you just look at it. But I was impressed by the engineering. You can bounce it, and it feels a lot like a basketball.

Wilson’s Response and New Version | Airless Basketball

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So, I reached back out to Wilson, and they said those were early versions sent out to a handful of people. Now, they’re beginning to make the ones more similar to what will eventually be shipped out. I asked if we could do a swap, and they sent over a black one. In this box, we have a black version of that very special airless Gen One basketball.

Innovative Yet Experimental | Wilson’s Airless Basketball

It’s important to note that this is still innovative and incredibly fringe stuff. I don’t think it’s meant to replace your actual basketball. The feel of a leather Wilson regulation basketball is a beautiful thing – the grip, the texture. The main drawback with these airless basketballs is the actual texture on the outside of the ball. In the original video, I suggested maybe wrapping the honeycomb core in a leather texture for a future date. This is experimenting in real life through products.

Early Adoption and Challenges | Airless Basketball

– This is a hot topic recently because everyone’s been looking at gadgets and saying they’re not ready for prime time.
– At the Gen One beta stage, it’s not as robust as what Gen Three or Four might be, and I’m okay with that.
– I adjust my behaviors accordingly, but some people have a different threshold.
– Early adopters always suffer to a certain extent, and I’ve always been one of the earliest adopters, so I’m used to it.
– I enjoy the process of examining things as they develop.

Packaging and Presentation | Airless Basketball

The packaging emphasizes the basketball’s premium status, hinting at its dual role as both a functional sports item and a collector’s piece. However, the inclusion of sponsored content may blur the lines between objective review and promotional material.

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The 60-degree rotation is three times wider than competing brands, giving more of a brush stroke action. The Lifey Wave’s simple design and sealed body allow for submersion. It comes in aluminum alloy or plastic versions, depending on how premium you want to go.

Unboxing the Wilson Airless Basketball

Back to the basketball, here is the airless Gen One. It looks more like a street ball and more stealthy. The previous version was an off-white color, looking more like a 3D printer material but maybe slightly more rubbery. It might feel a bit more finished than the initial version. We still have our custom tag on there – Unbox Therapy – and a plaque certificate of authenticity. The accompanying ball is genuine Wilson airless Gen One.

Display vs. Practical Use

Wilson is pushing the boundaries of sports innovation with this airless Gen One basketball. This packaging suggests it is meant to be on display, not necessarily used daily. Most people investing in a $2,500 basketball are probably going to collect it rather than use it for streetball. Regardless, I will test it by renting a court and getting some shots up because I have more confidence in this version. It looks like what they were showing on the website for what people could buy.

On-Court Testing

Let’s see how it bounces. A gentle bounce brings it to about waist height, similar to a regular ball. It’s impressive that it has no air at all and exhibits similar attributes. Let me drop both balls at the same time – it’s really close, even down to the micro bounces.

Comparative Performance

For those who spent the $2,500, I’m not sure if people have started receiving their limited edition balls yet, but I think what I have is exactly what they will get. Ultimately, I want to take it on a court and get some shots up. I’m curious how the resistance will play a role, or if there will be added resistance with air moving through the ball instead of around it.

Classic vs. Airless on the Court

We’re on the court now. First, we’ll try the classic ball. It has a satisfying, predictable bounce and sound. The airless ball, however, has a different sound – a tiny tick rather than a thump. The weight on the bounce is almost identical. The airless ball responds like a regular basketball when the same amount of pressure is applied. Shooting it is a bit different; it seems to pick up more resistance through the air. My brain hasn’t fully adjusted to the airless ball yet, and I keep coming up short.

Shooting and Flight Behavior

There’s definitely a difference in flight behavior. The biggest difference is the texture – the feel. On a wood floor, the confidence-inspiring texture of a regular ball contrasts with the slightly slippery feel of the airless one. If you could wrap the airless ball in a similar material to a regular ball, it might feel more familiar. The Gen One durability looks better with the black version.

Conclusion and Future Possibilities

For most, Wilson’s Airless Basketball is a collector’s item, a cool artifact that is somewhat functional.

Revolutionizing Basketball: The $2,500 Wilson Airless Gen One

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