Wilson Sent me a Better Airless Gen1 Basketball

Unbox Therapy
15 May 202412:33

TLDRIn this video, the host discusses a new airless basketball from Wilson, which he received as a replacement for an earlier version that developed fractures. The new black version of the Airless Gen1 basketball is described as innovative and fringe, with a unique feel and texture. The host notes that while it's not meant to replace traditional basketballs, it's an impressive piece of sports engineering. He also mentions the challenges of shooting with the airless ball due to its different flight behavior and texture, suggesting that future versions could improve with a different material wrap for better grip. The video also features a sponsored segment on a Lifey electric toothbrush, highlighting its design and cleaning capabilities.

Takeaways

  • 🏀 Wilson sent the speaker a new airless basketball after the first one developed fractures.
  • 💰 The speaker mentions that even if the basketball cost $2,500, it would likely be a collector's item rather than for regular use.
  • 🔍 The original airless basketball was an early version, and Wilson is now producing a more refined model.
  • 📦 The new black version of the airless basketball is presented in a packaging that suggests it's meant for display.
  • 🏋️‍♂️ The speaker appreciates the engineering and grip of the airless basketball, despite its differences from a traditional basketball.
  • 🚀 The airless basketball is described as innovative and fringe, not intended to replace a regulation basketball.
  • 🎾 The main drawback of the airless basketball is its texture, which is different from a traditional leather basketball.
  • 🔧 A potential solution for the texture issue could be wrapping a honeycomb core in a leather texture for future versions.
  • 📈 The speaker acknowledges that as an early adopter, they understand the limitations and potential 'suffering' that comes with using new technology.
  • 🌐 The video features a sponsorship by Lifey for their new wave electric toothbrush, highlighting its design and functionality.
  • 📉 The speaker plans to test the airless basketball on a court, noting that it behaves differently in flight due to the lack of air inside.

Q & A

  • Who sent the airless Gen1 basketball to the speaker?

    -Wilson sent the airless Gen1 basketball to the speaker.

  • What was the initial issue with the first airless basketball the speaker received?

    -The first airless basketball the speaker received developed some tiny fractures.

  • What did Wilson do after the speaker contacted them about the fractures?

    -Wilson sent the speaker a new black version of the airless basketball, which was an improved version.

  • What is the main drawback of the airless basketballs according to the speaker?

    -The main drawback is the texture on the outside of the ball, which is slippery and lacks the familiar feel of a traditional basketball.

  • What is the speaker's suggestion for improving the airless basketball's texture?

    -The speaker suggests wrapping a honeycomb core in a leather texture to provide a better feel while maintaining the airless design.

  • What is the speaker's opinion about the durability of the new black version of the airless basketball?

    -The speaker believes that the new black version appears to be more durable than the initial version they received.

  • What does the speaker think about the airless basketball's bounce compared to a traditional basketball?

    -The speaker finds the bounce of the airless basketball to be very similar to a traditional basketball, which is impressive.

  • What is the price of the airless Gen1 basketball?

    -The airless Gen1 basketball is priced at $2,500.

  • What is the speaker's view on the airless basketball being used for regular play?

    -The speaker believes that the airless basketball is more of a collector's item and not really meant for regular play due to its price and novelty.

  • How does the speaker describe the feel of shooting with the airless basketball?

    -The speaker mentions that there is a need for mental adjustment when shooting with the airless basketball due to its different weight and resistance through the air.

  • What is the biggest difference the speaker notices when using the airless basketball compared to a regular one?

    -The biggest difference is the texture and feel of the ball, which is less confidence-inspiring compared to a regular basketball.

  • What is the speaker's final assessment of the airless Gen1 basketball?

    -The speaker considers the airless Gen1 basketball to be an innovative collector's item with some functionality, but not ready for prime time or everyday use.

Outlines

00:00

🏀 Wilson's Airless Basketball: A Collector's Item?

The speaker discusses receiving an airless basketball from Wilson, which initially developed fractures after use. Wilson replaced it with a black version, revealing that the first was an early prototype. The new ball is still innovative and fringe, not intended to replace traditional basketballs. The speaker appreciates the engineering but notes the texture issue. They suggest a future version could have a honeycomb core wrapped in leather. Despite being an early adopter and understanding the product's current limitations, the speaker plans to test the ball on a court. The video is sponsored by Lifey, showcasing their electric toothbrush with a sealed body, various settings, and a magnetic charging cable.

05:03

📦 Unboxing the Airless Gen One Basketball

The speaker unboxes the airless Gen One basketball, noting its collector's item status and high price tag, suggesting most buyers will likely display it rather than use it. They discuss the packaging, which implies the ball is for display rather than daily use. The speaker then tests the ball on a court, comparing it to a regular basketball. They note the airless ball's lack of bounce and different sound, which affects the shooter's ability to predict the ball's return. Despite the airless ball having a similar weight and bounce to a regular basketball, the speaker's brain struggles to adjust to its different flight behavior, resulting in shots coming up short.

10:08

🎯 Adjusting to the Airless Basketball's Flight

The speaker continues to discuss the challenges of shooting with the airless basketball, emphasizing the need to mentally adjust to its different flight characteristics. They mention the ball's slippery texture compared to a regular basketball, which affects their confidence in grip. The speaker suggests that wrapping the ball in a similar material to a regular basketball could improve the feel and potentially change shooting performance. They also touch on the durability of the black version of the airless ball and advise against using it on outdoor courts. The speaker concludes by reiterating that the Gen One is more of a collector's item with some functionality, rather than a practical choice for regular play.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Airless Gen1 Basketball

The 'Airless Gen1 Basketball' is a basketball developed by Wilson that does not require air to be inflated, which is a significant innovation in the sports equipment industry. It is a central theme of the video as the host discusses its features, performance, and potential as a collector's item. The host also compares it to a traditional basketball in terms of bounce, feel, and performance on the court.

💡Fractures

In the context of the video, 'fractures' refer to the small cracks that developed on the initial version of the airless basketball that the host received. This issue is significant as it raises questions about the durability and practicality of the new design, which is a key point of discussion throughout the video.

💡Engineering

The term 'engineering' is used to describe the design and development process of the airless basketball. The host expresses his initial impression of the ball's engineering, noting that despite its unusual design, it still manages to bounce and feel like a regular basketball. This reflects the host's appreciation for the technical aspects of the product.

💡Collector's Item

The 'collector's item' concept is brought up by the host when discussing the high price and novelty of the airless basketball. He suggests that due to its unique design and limited availability, most people who purchase it are likely to treat it more as a display item rather than a basketball to be used for regular play.

💡Grip

The 'grip' is a critical aspect of any basketball, as it affects how well a player can control the ball. The host discusses the grip of the airless basketball, noting that it feels different from a traditional leather basketball. This difference in grip is a key factor in how the ball is handled and shot during gameplay.

💡Honeycomb Core

The 'honeycomb core' is a hypothetical solution proposed by the host to improve the texture of the airless basketball. He suggests that wrapping a honeycomb core in a leather texture could provide both the feel and airless properties desired in a basketball. This idea is an example of the host's engagement with the product's innovative concept.

💡Early Adopters

The host identifies himself as one of the 'early adopters', a term used to describe people who are willing to try out new and innovative products soon after their release. This relates to the main theme as the host discusses the pros and cons of being an early adopter of the airless basketball, including the potential drawbacks and the excitement of using new technology.

💡Leather Wilson Regulation Basketball

A 'leather Wilson regulation basketball' is a standard basketball made by Wilson that adheres to official size and weight regulations. The host uses this as a point of comparison when evaluating the feel and performance of the airless basketball, emphasizing the differences and similarities between the two types of balls.

💡PSI (Pounds per Square Inch)

PSI refers to the pressure of air inside a basketball, measured in pounds per square inch. The host mentions the PSI of the airless basketball, which is set at eight, aligning with the recommended pressure for a regulation basketball. This detail is important as it shows that despite its airless design, the ball is intended to perform similarly to a traditional basketball.

💡Authenticity

The concept of 'authenticity' is highlighted by the inclusion of a certificate of authenticity that comes with the airless basketball. This certificate verifies the ball as a genuine Wilson product and is often associated with collector's items, reinforcing the idea that the airless basketball is as much an artifact as it is a functional sports item.

💡Durability

The 'durability' of the airless basketball is a topic of discussion, especially after the host's initial experience with fractures on the first version. The improved durability of the black version is noted, suggesting that Wilson has addressed this issue in subsequent models, which is crucial for a product that is both a collector's item and intended for use in sports.

Highlights

Wilson sent a new airless basketball to the reviewer, who was initially sent an early version that developed small fractures.

The reviewer was impressed by the engineering of the airless basketball despite its collector's item status.

Wilson replaced the faulty early version with a black version that is more similar to the final product.

The new black airless basketball still represents innovative and fringe technology.

The reviewer suggests that the airless basketball may not replace traditional basketballs due to differences in texture and feel.

A potential solution for the airless basketball's texture issue could be wrapping it in a leather-like material.

The reviewer acknowledges that early adopters often face challenges with new technology.

The packaging of the airless basketball implies it is meant for display rather than daily use.

The airless basketball is expected to be a collector's item for most buyers due to its high price.

The reviewer plans to test the airless basketball on a court to assess its performance.

The airless basketball has a very similar bounce to a traditional basketball, despite having no air.

The airless basketball's flight behavior is different, which may require mental adjustment for players accustomed to regular balls.

The texture of the airless basketball is slippery compared to a traditional ball, affecting the player's confidence in their grip.

The airless basketball's durability appears improved in the black version.

The reviewer advises against using the expensive airless basketball on outdoor courts.

The airless basketball, despite its functional aspects, is considered by the reviewer to be more of an artifact or collector's item.