T-Mac 5: Strapped and Loaded

During the 2005 playoffs, Tracy McGrady launched a T-Mac-Attack on the Dallas Mavericks, scoring at will and shutting down Mavs Star Dirk Nowitzki. Although the Rockets eventually fell to the Mavericks in seven games, avid fans of Mr. McGrady like myself will never forget those first games of that series, where T-Mac was hands-down the best player on the planet.

Like Mike: Right down to the tounge (That tounge, of course)


"I wanna be like Mike, breaking out next year's shoes "

T-Mac's play in the series could only be described with that sacred but overused term; Jordan-esque. While his play on the court measured up to Black Cat, so did his feet. In the 1995 playoffs, Money arrived in the second round with an old love and some new flavor. Troubled by incosistent play and a loss of focus, Michael Jordan thought a small change might return himself to the form that made him the most recognizable athlete in the world, he wore number 23 again. But along with 23 came something else, something unprecedented, Jordan had returned to the court sporting the Air Jordan XI, scheduled to release the following season, the XI would go on to become the most popular modern athletic shoe of all time. Jordan repeated this feat. in 1998 against the Utah Jazz, breaking out the Air Jordan XIV, well known to all shoeheads as "The Last Shots". Exactly 10 years later after Jordan's pioneer move, T-Mac followed by breaking out his adidas T-Mac 5 in the 2005 playoffs against Dallas, which was scheduled to release during the '05-'06 season. When asked about the motive for him and adidas to wear the T-Mac 5 early, T-Mac gave his usual calm and sly grin, "I wanna be like Mike, breaking out next year's shoes."


The T-Mac 5 features a diagonal strap and full length inner bootie which work together like Jason Terry and Devin Harris, providing fit that makes us forget we're even wearing shoes.


adidas departed from its shock and awe tactics, which is what they had in mind with the laceless H.U.G. design in the T-Mac 4, in which the performance was shockingly aweful. But the brand had decided to keep the 4's main attraction: fit. The T-Mac 5 features a fully padded diagonal strap, an asymmetrical lacing system, a full length inner bootie which is padded along the ankle and heel. A few unique, yet simple features working together to create a jaw-dropping combination of fit and support that I've never experienced in a modern basketball shoe. The fit was restrictive during the first couple wearings, but after a third intense day of scrimmaging with the 5, I noticed immediate improvement in the shoe's "mobility". The full-grain leather used for the upper the shoe's rigid midsole have a slightly longer breaking-in period than most high-tech basketball shoes, but after a few wearings the around the ankles, the support around the midfoot, and the support of the upper were top notch.The great fit of the T-Mac 5 was also due to its excellent ankle support, which was excellent due to the different lacing system above the ankle.


The cut of the T-Mac 5 dosen't seem high nor low, but actually provides surprisingly good ankle support and protection.





The T-Mac 5 features a totally redesigned outsole, with longitudinal wavy paterns on two types of solid rubber, its traction clearly does not live up to its stylish design.

The only feature of the T-Mac 5 which thoroughly dissapointed me was its traction, or lack of. This is of such true irony because the only feature of the T-Mac 4 that did not dissapoint me is its excellent traction, those who own the first adidas Team MAC will known of its benefits, where the same outsole design is used. The T-Mac V features a totally redesigned outsole, inspired by samurai warrior sandals, a glossy rubber material that extends over the pinky toe to form the large "1" on the shoe, and different white rubber material which provides slightly more traction than the former, but not much. The gym in which these tests are conducted is moderately dusty, a surface that my Huarache 2k5, Zoom LeBron 20-5-5, Air Jordan XX Stealth, and Zoom Drive still manage to provide excellence squeak inducing traction. But the T-Mac 5 had me slipping rather than stopping, falling rather than slashing, and losing faith in the shoe's abilities. I recommend using the T-Mac 5 on clean indoor courts or outdoor courts, where traction is excellent, but the only solutions to the 5's traction problems on a dusty indoor court is dampining the sole and constant wiping with your hands.


Hardwood is used under the midsole and on the back of the heel of the T-Mac 5, as part of the samurai sandal inspiration on which the 5 was designed.


Upon casual observation of the V, many will notice the hardwood on the heel and under the mid-sole, when asked about the unique touch, T-Mac gave his calm, sly grin, "I wanna have a part of the court with me". Like everyone else in this office when the news of wood was to be used in the T-Mac 5 leaked out, I fell into my seat questioning adidas' sanity. After examining samples of the shoe all our worries were dispelled, as the use of wood was solely (no pun intended) a stylish statement, to contribute to the whole samurai image.


The multiple contraptions that makes the T-Mac 5 such a joy to play in also make it impossible to put on.


Here at 24/7 we like to nitpick, there's an issue that we've experienced with the T-Mac 5 has nothing to do with its performance on the court, but the time that precedes it. As a huge fan of the Converse Wade and Nike Zoom Kobe I, I enjoy shoes that are a joy to put on, on a scale of 1-10 of how enjoyable shoes are to put on, the T-Mac 5 would be a 1. With slightly narrower than usual feet, I've only ran into such shoes once before: the Air Jordan XX, which takes a solid 40 seconds to put on each pair. The T-Mac 5 combines 2 velcro straps with two types of lacing systems, by the time i'm fully strapped and laced, I've become somewhat annoyed with the 5, something that will soon be forgotten due to it being such a joy to play in.


The T-Mac 5 is also the first shoe of Tracy McGrady's series to feature his nickname "T-Mac" on the shoe as well as his number "1".


I personally have been quite spoiled by Nike's Zoom Air technology, which is applied in all their high ened guard-type shoes, knowing that the T-Mac 5 uses adidas' adiPRENE + cushioning technology, I expected a firm and "dull" cushioning under the forefoot and heel. To my surprise the T-Mac 5 gave much more responsiveness than i expected, mostly thanks to its beautifully sculpted sockliner, which includes denser EVA inserts on the foot's key impact points; the forefoot, heel, and the big toe. The T-Mac V gave the type of cushioning comfort and proctection of a shoe designed for more solid wing players, but was responsive enough for quick guards.


To sum up, the T-Mac 5 is a shoe that some will welcome and others not so much, one which players that crave support and fit will love, but not those high on tractioin on dusty courts. This shoe is suitable for players who player the first 4 positions, and maybe light centers because of its versatile cushioning system.




Peace,

Sole-On-Ice