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i love this gameadidas Harden Vol 7 Performance Review
The Harden Vol 7 looks weird but performs great, and brings back plush cushioning to adidas basketball.
Colorway: Better Scarlet / Core Black / Better Scarlet
Release Date: 2023
Price: $160
James Harden’s 7th signature shoe, the adidas Harden Vol 7 is odd-looking, to say the least, but the shoe features a bunch of different performance features that could make these elite performance basketball shoes. The design team at adidas put together a very intriguing hoop shoe that also brings back the Boost we all know and love. Let’s jump into the performance review, to see exactly how they performed on court.
The adidas Harden Vol 7 comes with both solid and translucent rubber on the outsole. The solid portions are pods in the forefoot and feature (slightly slanted) herringbone traction, and the rest of the outsole is translucent with a radial traction pattern.
Traction on the Vol 7 is excellent. Both the solid and the translucent rubbers are grippy, and the combination of the herringbone and radial traction patterns offers very consistent and multidirectional coverage on court. This set-up is elite indoors and outdoors, but it won’t last long on the blacktop. The traction pattern isn’t deeply set, and translucent rubber tends to wear down quickly, but the shoe will grip well as long as the traction pattern lasts.
adidas Harden Vol 7 Cushioning
Cushioning on the adidas Harden Vol 7 might be the shoe’s best feature. What we have is a dual-density foam setup. In the forefoot and midfoot of the shoe we have adidas’ Lightstrike foam, and in the heel, we have adidas’ Boost. Now we have good news regarding both foams: the Lightstrike doesn’t feel like Lightstrike, and the Boost doesn’t feel like modern Boost. The Lightstrike in the Harden Vol 7 is much more bouncy and plush and the Boost in the heel is like the Boost we know and love from the mid-2000’s.
The adidas Harden Vol 7 offers a very well-balanced ride on the court, with just enough impact protection and bounce to keep you comfortable as you play, as well as the right amount of reactiveness to help you stay agile. Just a really great cushioning setup from adidas, and we finally have a more plush feeling hoop shoe in the adidas lineup.
adidas Harden Vol 7 Materials
In terms of quality, it really depends on which colorway you pick up. Some come with mainly textiles along the upper and others come with a leather build. In both cases, the materials a good but not great, but both do their job well on court. You get more than enough support and comfort from both builds.
One drawback you will find with this build is ventilation. This isn’t a huge issue for most hoopers, but, it is something to keep in mind if your feet tend to overheat.
adidas Harden Vol 7 Support
Support on the Harden Vol 7 is on point. We have a full-length, bottom-loaded shank plate that helps to keep you stable and springy on court, a very wide base with a ton of surface in contact with the court, and several portions of the outsole and midsole wrap around the upper and add containment to the shoe.
Two of the more remarkable design features on the shoe also affect its performance. That synthetic overlay we see in the forefoot of the shoe, which is similar to what we saw in the Harden Vol 1, adds containment in that area and flexes naturally with your foot. On the other hand, the sock collar and heel of the shoe are somewhat lackluster. The sock collar can make it difficult to get your foot in, especially if you use ankle braces, and the heel is not as well padded as we would have liked, and therefore lockdown isn’t excellent.
adidas Harden Vol 7 Fit
The adidas Harden Vol 7 fits true to size but because of the unusual build, finding the right size might be a bit tricky, and this is again, because of that sock collar. If you are planning to use ankle braces or have wider feet, you may want to go up half a size or try them on in-store. But in general, go true to size.
adidas Harden Vol 7 Overall
Well done adidas! The Harden Vol 7 brings back a ton of stuff we were missing from adidas basketball: the wow factor, a plush cushioning system, a well-performing Harden shoe, etc. and we get all of this in one of the most unique-looking hoop shoes of the year. Personally, I would have loved to have seen how the market would have received this model back when Harden was in Houston at the height of his powers and fame. I think these would have been ICONIC.
The Harden Vol 7 is one of the best hoop shoes of the year overall and is just a very well-balanced hoop shoe with a ton of flare.
UA TriBase Reign 5 Performance Review
Last year, we reviewed the Under Armour TriBase Reign 4 and felt like it had a lot of positives. Then we came back to let you know that the Under Armour Project Rock 5 was even better and it seemed like we might have a new contender in the upper echelon of cross training shoes. So, we reached out to the folks at Under Armour to see if they could keep the streak going with the all-new Under Armour TriBase Reign 5 and while they sent us these shoes for review, they have no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and have not attempted to influence this review.
Under Armour TriBase Reign 5
Release Date: January 2023
Price: $130
Weight: 10.5 oz.
Drop: 2mm
Sizing: True to size
- Rundown: The Under Armour TriBase Reign 5 is a super stable, versatile workout shoe that takes some break in time.
How do the Authors Train?
Arune Singh (age 41, 5’11”, 205lbs): Trains daily with functional fitness programming provided by Deadboys Fitness, founded by Colby “Seth Rollins” Lopez and Josh Gallegos. He has recently been training for 5Ks and looks for every opportunity to get some time on a heavy bag. Given his medical history of Sleep Apnea and Myasthenia Gravis, Arune focuses on lean muscle mass and getting down consistently to 190lbs, with a secondary focus on cardiovascular training and aesthetics. He works out in a home gym with a rower, air bike, bench, adjustable dumbbells, kettlebells, and either a cat or dog trying to obstruct him at every turn.
Drew Whitcomb (age 41, 6’6″ 195lbs): Trains daily with a focus on running, strength training, and mobility. He writes the majority of our running shoe reviews and runs a lot of miles both due to testing needs and his growing affinity for long-distance races. He recently completed the New York City Marathon. More marathons, half-marathons, 10k, and 5k races are in his future. His strength training and mobility regimen center around maintaining flexibility and lifting heavy to build power as a counterbalance to all the long-distance running he’s doing. His number one focus is staying injury free so he can keep up the sweet gig of reviewing shoes for a living.
What Is The Under Armour TriBase Reign 5?
According to the UA website, the KD 15 is described as: “The better your contact with the floor during your workouts, the better those workouts are going to be. The low, stable triangular base of the UA TriBase tech will help you through every rep, set, and WOD.”
The shoe has a 2mm drop and weighs 10.5 oz, meaning the drop remains the same from the previous model while shaving off 0.5 oz. It weighs in at a whopping 3 oz lighter than the Project Rock 5.
Pros
Solid (Tri)Base
Arune: If stability is your concern, there are a few training shoes on the market that I would choose over anything Under Armour is making with TriBase right now and the Under Armour TriBase Reign 5 is no exception. I put these through the wringer – at least in my environment – with single leg movements (RDLs, RFESSs) and I felt more in touch with the ground than even my beloved Project Rock 5s. This shoe keeps you locked into the ground and reminds me how much I love the lower drop in my training shoes.
The stability also translates over to plyometrics, whether you’re doing jumping squats, box jumps, burpees, or skaters. I felt covered for everything I tackled this week.
But heavy lifts are where the Under Armour TriBase Reign 5 really comes alive and you will most appreciate the shoe. It feels like every aspect of the shoe really comes together in perfect harmony at the bottom of your heavy squats.
Was this stable for someone as tall as you, Drew?
Drew: Yes, it was. Under Armour’s TriBase tech feels like gluing my feet to the floor, especially during any heavy lifts. Honestly, I even feel the difference when doing the bench press. My feet stay thoroughly planted allowing me to access the maximum amount of force from my muscles. As a tall guy that has to deal with a long range of motion, the extra stability is helpful.
Improved Upper
Arune: While I didn’t initially notice this when reviewing the Reign 4, the upper never fully broke in and at times – like with pushups and burpees – it felt like it was digging into the top of my foot when it flexed.
But the Under Amour TriBase Reign 5 has a much more flexible UA Warp upper this time around that feels like it moves with my foot instead of my foot moving in spite of the upper. There’s also none of the slippage I experienced with the 4 because you’re locked in (well…more on that later).
The upper will also appear in cons but I’d be remiss in not calling out the improvement here.
Drew: WARP is Under Armour’s best upper technology. It’s strong with comfort more like a knit or plush engineered mesh. Think running shoe upper but still supportive enough to keep the foot on the footbed when moving laterally doing ladder drills or other side-to-side exercises.
Made for Fitness
Arune: I touched on this earlier, but you can really do a lot – and comfortably – in the Under Armour TriBase Reign 5. From rowing to air bike to short runs to functional fitness, this shoe is built for a very well-rounded idea of fitness. While I wouldn’t call it the best at any one of those things, it is able to do them all at a very high level.
So if you just want to take one shoe to the gym with you to do everything, the Under Armour TriBase Reign 5 likely has you covered short of long cardio sessions.
Drew: I largely agree but wearing the Under Armour TriBase Reign 5 for running is a clunky experience that I don’t recommend. The impressive stability of the TriBase system makes each foot plant a bit too weighty while making it hard to flex your foot beyond the toes. That and heel landings are pretty stiff. Stationary bikes, however, are not an issue. The firm base actually helps generate more power in a similar way to TPU-bottomed cycling shoes.
Everything else in the gym is fair game. So yes, it’s a versatile fitness shoe with one big caveat.
Cons
Under Armour Fit Consistency
Arune: I have worn Under Armour training shoes more than any other training shoe for the past 18 months. I’m clearly a fan, but I swear that every model has such a radically different fit that I have no clue what to expect.
One of my favorite things about the Reign 4 is that it felt wide foot friendly but there has never been a moment in the Under Armour TriBase Reign 5 where I didn’t feel it crushing my left pinky. Now that isn’t new for me – I’ve had to skip out on most Nike shoes because of the narrow fit and I find most footwear, in general, to be too narrow for my Hobbit feet (namely in the forefoot).
But the Project Rock 5 and Reign 4 both were great for my feet, so it’s been an adjustment to feel that pressure on my forefoot day after day.
This is also complicated by the fact I found the forefoot incredibly, incredibly warm from the first time I tried them on. Sorry for the TMI folks, but my feet were sweating like I would expect to happen in the liner of my shorts (shout out to Ten Thousand, you’re great) and not on my feet.
Please, Drew, don’t regale us with any sweaty groin stories – I’ve probably lost the audience already.
Drew: How do I even follow that up? (Editor’s Note: You don’t, just walk away.)
Last (P)lace
Arune: I’ll keep this one short: the laces don’t stay laced and that means the entire fit of the shoe is FUBAR unless you double knot it…and then unknot and reknot between sets.
Drew: Rope laces are not a good choice on a cross training shoe. I would consider swapping the Under Armour TriBase Reign 5’s laces with something different.
Break in that Breaks You
Arune: No one has ever accused the Reign line of being light, cloud-like shoes and I think that’s fine – I don’t mind a thicker, heavier shoe. But even though this one is lighter than the Project Rock 5, it felt like a brick on my foot the minute I laced it up (which took a few tries as I noted above).
And it hurt my feet a lot.
The first day wearing these shoes was painful, so much so that I had to stop using them after ten minutes on the rower and I wasn’t sure how I would write this review because I didn’t want to wear them. But each day became a bit more comfortable, with the Micro G midsole adapting to my feet and providing a nice bit of responsive cushioning as time went on that got us to the pros listed above. I need to note that the shoe isn’t the most flexible overall – I can feel it under my foot every time I try to bend and that’s not something I particularly love.
I just knocked out a 6000m row without any of the pain I had felt earlier in the week (other than the relatively narrow toe box) and each day makes that midsole comfier. But if this wasn’t a shoe I had received from UA, I don’t know if I would have given it a week to break in – not in a world with so many other great cross training shoes that are so good right out of the box.
Drew: I agree that it’s too much break-in time for a modern cross trainer. That said, the side effect is the Under Armour TriBase Reign 5 is going to be super durable. The stiff midsole and materials will take a beating and keep performing the same.
Is this for me?
Arune: While the Under Armour TriBase Reign 5 is a shoe that does a lot of things well, it is not a shoe I plan to continue using after this performance review. Not only do I have two colorways of the Project Rock 5 that I use right now, but I still find the Reebok Nano 4, 5 & 6 to be shoes that have held up as preferred training shoes all these years later.
Drew: Meh. I’ll stick with the good old GoRuck Ballistic Trainer for my gym work when I’m not testing other models.
Is this for you?
Arune: If you don’t have wide feet and you liked the Reign 4, then I think the Under Armour TriBase Reign 5 will be right up your alley. Well, if you can solve the lacing. It’s hard to beat that stability.
But if you’re not particularly fond of the Reign series, you might – like me – find this to be one step forward, one step back, and find other options on the market that deliver the experience you want at a similar price point and with similar performance.
Drew: If you’re a fan of the TriBase Reign line you’ll get largely the same experience as the previous models after you’ve broken them in. Everyone else likely has better options…see our Best Cross Training Shoes list for the shoes we recommend.
Under Armour TriBase Reign 5 Summary
Arune: After a leap forward with the Reign 4 and Project Rock 5, it feels like the Under Armour TriBase Reign 5 isn’t offering anything the company hasn’t previously delivered in at least an equal form.
That doesn’t mean this is a bad shoe – once you break it in, there’s a whole lotta good, but the Reign 5 simply isn’t a shoe I’ll be reaching for on a regular basis.
Under Armour really feels on the cusp of something great with their recent training shoe releases and this shoe doesn’t deter me from that belief – but I’m hoping either the future Project Rock 6 or TriBase Reign 6 recapture the excitement I was feeling about UA before testing this shoe.
The Nike Lebron 20 Paves a Way For The New Generation
Nike and LeBron James stirred things up with their newest iteration. Read our full Nike LeBron 20 performance review below!
The Nike LeBron series has been predominantly known as a “shoe line for the big boys”. This is undeniably true; throughout its 19 mainline installments and budget shoe lines, the Nike LeBron sneakers were bulky and heavy.
While it makes sense for LeBron James’ physique and abilities, countless amateur ballers could not keep up with the shoes’ features and design, leading them to switch to other shoe lines. But with King James battling toe-to-toe against Father Time, it’s a great opportunity for Nike and James to revamp the shoe line and create a new identity that will pave the way for the new generation. Hence, the birth of the Nike LeBron 20.
With that said, here is an in-depth Nike LeBron 20 performance review to help you know if the new signature pair is worth every penny.
The Nike LeBron 20 is infused with a three-layered material (Photo courtesy Nike)
MATERIALS
The Nike LeBron 20 boasts a three-layered upper material
The Nike LeBron 20 is infused with a three-layered upper material which consists of the Nike Sphere and a double-layered macro-level woven thread.
The double-layered woven thread is made thin to offer an adequate amount of airflow. The woven thread is firm, durable, and comfortable enough to provide abundant support and longevity. However, the Nike LeBron 20’s ventilation is not as good as other pairs.
On the other hand, the Nike Sphere functions like Nike’s DriFit polyester material infused with a little amount of foam. This material is infused to keep the inner material dry and to take sweat and moisture away when in use.
TRACTION
One word to describe the pair’s traction performance: top-tier
The 20th installment of the Nike LeBron series boasts a multi-directional outsole pattern. The digitally-generated pattern is engineered to pick up traction from any direction and foot movement. The Nike LeBron 20’s outsole is made of either solid rubber or a translucent compound depending on the silhouette.
The traction is very aggressive and grippy that it literally stops on a dime regardless of the direction and speed. Also, an additional offering that ballers would certainly love is that the outsole picks up a little amount of dust, which is a surprise given the small spaces between the patterns.
However, it is clearly evident that the pair is more advisable to be laced up on the hardwood rather than on a blacktop. It’s not because the pair performs less on the latter, but it is more of the durability-and-price comparison.
Regardless of the type of court, the Nike LeBron 20’s traction performs incredibly well. However, it is not ideal to risk the pair’s lifespan just to be used on a rough court given its US$200 price tag.
Even so, it’s still up to the users if they would lace it up in a court that could jeopardize the overall performance and longevity of its best feature.
The Nike LeBron 20 had a major change in its cushion setup. (Photo courtesy of Nike)
CUSHION AND SUPPORT
Long-time Nike LeBron users may have to adjust to the Nike LeBron 20’s cushion technologies
It is no secret that James is madly in love with Nike’s Zoom Air technology, mainly because the tech is constantly implemented on the four-time NBA champ’s signature pairs.
For the longest time, Nike heavily relied on their cutting-edge cushion technology when engineering a LeBron pair. Every Nike LeBron pair, especially those in the main line, was bombarded with cushions and foams to ensure impact protection and bounciness.
But exaggerating the cushion technology might compromise two important aspects of a basketball sneaker namely, its court feel and lightweightness.
A lot of ballers stay away from Nike LeBron shoes due to these reasons, and most of them would enjoy such features in the likes of KD 15, Under Armour Curry line, and Nike PGs, to name a few.
But when the Nike LeBron 20 emerged, there was a shift in the tide. From a heavy-duty sneaker with exaggerated cushion technology, Nike and LeBron finally steered the wheel in another direction and created a pair that offers flexibility to users.
The Nike LeBron’s 20th installment now offers an excellent court feel and lightweightness. Instead of an exposed Zoom Air like most of its predecessors, the Nike LeBron 20 is implemented with a full-length Cushlon which is soft, dense, and responsive. The Cushlon may not be very bouncy as with other pairs, but it offers a good amount of responsiveness to offer a good amount of impact protection.
Also, a Zoom Turbo unit is implemented on the pair’s forefoot while a large Zoom Air unit is inserted on the heel along with a bottom-loaded carbon fiber shank on the medial portion. The forefoot’s Zoom Turbo is not very bouncy but it offers good impact protection and a court feel that will be very beneficial to shifty players. The Zoom Air unit, on the other hand, provides good comfort and responsiveness especially when landing.
The two technologies are caged by a fully-exposed Cushlon that contours the users’ feet and are being secured by the carbon fiber shank on the midfoot, so even if the foam molds into the feet, the shank will still get a hold, thus, improving the techs’ lifespan and usage.
Aside from the high-end technologies that the Nike LeBron 20 banners, the pair also offers good stability and lockdown. The pair’s lacing system boasts a metal stay to avoid lacing through the weaves, hence, it wards off the possibility of getting worn out easily. Moreover, the lacing system allows the pair to be tied down beneath the ankle collar to boost lockdown.
The lacing system is also infused with synthetic material for added durability and containment. The ankle collar and tongue are implemented with a good amount of padding which is very beneficial since the Nike LeBron 20 is a low-top sneaker. Also, the pair has a wide base and is infused with an internal TPU on the heel counter making the overall containment excellent.
The heel-to-toe transition is excellent, too. The pair has a good curve, so dashing from a full stop is smooth. Moreover, the omnidirectional traction pattern works well with the upper, making the pair more flexible.
The only noticeable downside of the pair’s containment is that there is minimal slippage on the heel that some users may experience. The good thing is that the issue is manageable since it could be resolved after breaking in.
SIZE AND FITTING
The Nike LeBron 20 runs true to size
Just like other Nike LeBrons, it’s without any exception that the Nike LeBron 20 runs true to size. However, unlike other releases, this iteration is tapered or snug length-wise. Therefore, wide footers are advised to go up half or even a full size for some.
For size accuracy, it would be better to fit a pair first before making a purchase.
OVERALL RATING
The Nike LeBron 20 is perhaps the best LeBron pair in recent memory. It was a good move made by Nike and James to stir up things a bit and create a pair that could cater to a lot of ballers. Indeed, a very user-friendly and flexible sneaker.
Despite the major changes, the Nike LeBron 20 did not have any substantial and crucial drawbacks performance-wise. Moreover, the pair possesses an oozing charisma due to the engineered upper material and eye-catching design, which definitely cements the pair in the Sneaker of the Year conversation.
The Nike LeBron 20 nets an overall rating of 9.5 out of 10.
Dm Kicks Review: Jordan Luka 1 A Ton Of Potential
Luka Doncic’s first signature shoe needs important improvements in some areas, but there’s no doubt that it has a ton of potential. Check out Dribble Media’s Jordan Luka 1 performance review below!
Luka Doncic’s first signature shoe with Jordan is finally here! The Dallas Mavericks young superstar has quickly become a household NBA name since entering the league in 2018, and his exploits led him to a shoe partnership with Jordan Brand in 2019. Last July 2022, Jordan Brand unveiled the Jordan Luka 1, and it comes with intriguing features.
The Luka 1 is an intriguing basketball shoe as it introduces a couple of unique materials such as the IsoPlate system and the Formula 23 foam. It’s a brash experiment that could go wrong, but it’s a first signature shoe anyway.
To know why this signature line has some major potential, check out Dribble Media’s Jordan Luka 1 performance review below.
MATERIALS
The Jordan Luka 1’s uppers are covered with Flightwire cables.
Similar to most basketball shoes nowadays, the Jordan Luka 1 implemented minimal materials on its uppers to make it more lightweight. The upper is made of textile material that is covered with Flightwire cables. These Flightwire cables in the Luka 1 are not just present on the forefoot — they actually extend up to the heel area to help stabilize your feet.
You could also see synthetic leather covering the eyelets, and this could give additional lockdown. Moreover, the Luka 1 implements a three-piece tongue and two layers of ankle collars that contribute more to the shoe’s lockdown ability. Another great thing about the Luka 1 upper is its durability; the uppers don’t easily get beat down by direct impact or abrasions.
However, the downside of the Jordan Luka 1’s materials is its ventilation or the lack of it. Despite the light materials on the uppers, the shoe does accumulate a lot of heat when playing. Lack of ventilation is an issue that you should consider when buying the Luka 1.
TRACTION
The Jordan Luka 1’s translucent outsole performs best on indoor courts.
As you can see, the Jordan Luka 1 offers a fully translucent outsole. You just have to break it in for a short while, and then you’ll discover the wonders of its traction performance. The traction pattern is linear from the heel to the midfoot and then changes into a multi-directional design on the forefoot.
The traction on the Luka 1 provides incredible grip, so you don’t have to worry about making quick changes in direction. Furthermore, it also offers a high level of stopping power, which will stabilize your feet when doing hard cuts and sudden pivots.
The drawback here is that translucent outsoles are usually not that durable when you use them on an outdoor court. But if you’re a shifty player and you need the best traction you can have on an indoor court, then the Jordan Luka 1 is the perfect choice for you.
CUSHION AND SUPPORT
The Jordan Luka 1 introduces the Formula 23 foam and IsoPlate support system.
There’s no shortage of new concepts in the cushioning and support aspect of the Jordan Luka 1. The most intriguing feature is the Formula 23 tech, which is Jordan Brand’s new full-length performance foam inserted in the midsole of the Luka 1.
The Formula 23 tech makes the Luka 1 more responsive, but the cushion is not as bouncy as those seen in other shoes such as the Li-Ning Way of Wade 10. In fact, it’s not bouncy at all, so that’s a bit disappointing especially since there were tons of expectations for the Formula 23 cushion.
But what the Luka 1 lacked in its cushioning, they made up for with the pair’s tremendous torsional support. This is made possible through the new IsoPlate system, which focuses on providing stability to the lateral elements of the shoe. The Luka 1’s IsoPlate technology will keep your feet secure when stepping back and moving forward — a design concept that is obviously concentrated on Doncic’s signature stepback jumper.
However, the support around the ankle area of the Jordan Luka 1 is not that thick, so you might want to wear a pair of ankle braces if you have ankle issues. Overall, the Formula 23 foam didn’t perform up to par, but the Luka1’s IsoPlate torsional support is as good as advertised.
SIZE AND FITTING
The Jordan Luka 1 perfectly suits wide-footed players.
Even though the Jordan Luka 1 looks a bit clunky from the outside, it doesn’t feel stiff at all when you wear it. The step-in comfort is great, as the soft ankle and tongue padding will fit your feet right through.
Having said that, the toebox goes wide so the fit on the Luka 1 is better suited for wide-footed players. If you have a narrow or medium fit, you might want to go true to size in this pair.
OVERALL RATING
The Jordan Luka 1 performs best when doing lateral movements and making hard cuts and pivots on the basketball court. Its traction provides incredible grip, and the IsoPlate technology offers amazing torsional support.
However, the hyped-up Formula 23 cushioning foam was quite a disappointment, as it does not provide a whole lot of bounce and impact protection. This might be a dealbreaker for vertically-athletic players who love to play above the rim. But all in all, this is a great introductory shoe for a new signature line, and there’s no doubt that the Jordan Luka line will only improve from here.
The Jordan Luka 1 nets an overall rating of 7.5 out of 10.
WHERE TO BUY
The Jordan Luka 1 is now available at your nearest Nike stores for a retail price tag of USD 110.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
The traction of the Jordan Luka 1 will still perform great on outdoor courts, but you should be wary of its durability. Translucent outsoles, like the ones in the Luka 1, usually don’t last long on outdoor courts.
Yes. The Luka 1 runs a bit wide on the toebox, which means that it suits players with wider feet.
Yes. The Jordan Luka 1 is low to the ground and packs a high level of responsiveness — two benefits that mostly cater to quick, shifty players.