In my experience with this (I am not a doctor) I think ankle braces are a pretty big farce.  I’d imagine if I were to roll my ankle in a brace the force would find its way somewhere else — perhaps higher up in the ankle.  While wearing it during the times that catastrophe does not occur you are limiting your range of motion in which case I could imagine that causing your mechanics to be compromised.  

great reads great reads.  Ive thought and wondered all these same things and come to agree with you very much.  Dunking and flips are my thing, and I’ve been dissatisfied with the hoop shoes.  Kobes are also my favorite, I’ve had 3 pairs of 5s and 6s (which are really similar to each other) and a pair of 9s.  I think i hate the 9s, way too much going on with the arch, but my 6s are like flat.  its tough.  I just wanted to know your opinions on the issue.  barefoot in grass is the way to be, but sometimes i wonder is we just aren’t made to run and jump on hard flat surfaces like the basketball court. idk, id just love to talk to you. hope ya get this.

thanman, the 9s are a big improvement coming from heavily cushioned, inflexible shoes like the LeBron’s. I appreciate your Kobe 6 recommendation and will check them out. The Under Armor Anatomix Spawn Low is meant to be pretty flat, too. I think in general that basketball shoes have gone way too far from a “support” standpoint – TPU heel cups, torsional shanks, mega thick midsoles that don’t flex. It’s even worse than the chunky running shoes that are suddenly all the rage. I know basketball places a lot of demands on the lower leg but having optimal capacity and solid jumping, landing, cutting and running mechanics are the true foundation of a stable baller. All these braces and clunky shoes are just masking athletes’ real issues. 

I played 3 hrs of pick up ball in Vibrams. Big mistake but not from heal striking. I burned a big hole on the base of my foot between great and second toe from pivoting. I had been training in them for a few years prior so my legs and ankles were fine. I believe if I had toe socks on it would have prevented the terrible blister. Thanks for the tips about the Kobes, and UA. I will look into those. I have gone back to Adidas but keep damaging my big toe nail from them and I am not certain why.

I forgot to mention. I did feel like I could jump out of the gym with the Vibrams.

Jethro117, you can get the Nike KB Mentality for 80 bucks at multiple stores on sale. The word is that they take a while to break in the uppers, but that they’re pretty minimal and allow the foot to function like the foot. If you signed up for the Dick’s Sporting Goods mailing list, you could get a coupon and get them for just over 70 bucks shipped with free return if needed. 

I play basketball at a fairly high level and use Merrell pace glove barefoot shoes. There’s no ankle support.I bought a pair of Nike Hyper Aggressors https://bestoutdooritems.com/best-basketball-shoes-for-ankle-support/  3 months ago. They light solid, feet stay, great ankle support, good for any position really (I play the 1,2, and 3 position in pickup games). I got them for $55 and so far they’re worth it.