Wilson Sent me a Better Airless Gen1 Basketball

Unbox Therapy
15 May 202412:33

TLDRIn this video, the host discusses receiving a new version of the Wilson Airless Gen1 Basketball after experiencing issues with an earlier model. The original ball developed small fractures, leading to a swap for a black version that is more similar to the final product. The host praises the engineering and grip of the airless basketball but notes the different texture and feel compared to a traditional leather basketball. Despite the high price tag of $2,500, the host tests the ball on the court, finding it to have a similar bounce to a regular basketball but a different flight behavior due to the lack of air inside. The video also features a sponsorship segment for the Lifey wave 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 didn't pay $2,500 for the basketball and would have treated it as an artifact if they had.
  • 🔍 The original basketball was an early version, and Wilson is now producing a more refined version for shipping.
  • 🆕 The new black version of the airless basketball is considered more innovative and fringe technology.
  • 👀 The airless basketball is not intended to replace traditional basketballs but is an impressive engineering feat.
  • 📦 The packaging suggests the basketball is more of a collector's item, implying it should be displayed rather than used.
  • 🤔 The texture of the airless basketball is its main drawback, lacking the feel of a traditional leather basketball.
  • 👁️ The speaker suggests a possible future design could involve a honeycomb core wrapped in a leather texture for better grip.
  • 🚀 The speaker identifies themselves as an early adopter, accustomed to the challenges of using new and innovative products.
  • 🎨 The black version of the airless basketball is aesthetically pleasing and has a stealthy appearance.
  • 🏋️ The speaker plans to test the basketball on a court to understand how it performs in terms of resistance and flight.

Q & A

  • What was the issue with the original Wilson basketball that the user received?

    -The original Wilson basketball developed some tiny fractures, leading to questions about its durability and whether it was meant for actual use or just as a collector's item.

  • How did Wilson respond to the user's concerns about the basketball?

    -Wilson acknowledged the issue and informed the user that the basketball was an early version. They then offered to swap it for a newer version that is more similar to the final product that will be shipped out.

  • What is special about the new black version of the basketball?

    -The new black version is still innovative and fringe but is more refined than the early version. It has a better texture and feel, closely resembling a regular basketball in terms of bounce and behavior.

  • What is the main drawback of the airless basketball according to the user?

    -The main drawback is the texture on the outside of the ball, which feels different from a traditional leather basketball and could affect the grip and shooting experience.

  • What suggestion did the user have to improve the airless basketball's texture?

    -The user suggested that wrapping a honeycomb core in a leather texture could provide a better feel while maintaining the airless design.

  • How does the user feel about being an early adopter of new technology?

    -The user is comfortable and even enjoys being an early adopter, understanding the process of examining new products as they evolve and improve over time.

  • What is the user's opinion on the packaging of the airless Gen One basketball?

    -The user feels that the packaging implies the basketball is meant to be displayed rather than used regularly, and he assumes most people would collect it instead of using it for everyday play.

  • How does the user plan to test the new version of the basketball?

    -The user plans to rent a court and take some shots with the new version of the basketball to test its performance in an actual game scenario.

  • What is the user's observation about the bounce of the airless basketball compared to a regular one?

    -The user noticed that the airless basketball has a similar bounce to a regular basketball, but it lacks the 'thump' sound that players are used to, which could affect the way they receive the ball.

  • What is the biggest difference the user experienced when shooting with the airless basketball?

    -The biggest difference is in the flight of the ball, where the user felt the need to mentally adjust the shooting force due to the different resistance through the air.

  • How does the user describe the durability of the new black version of the basketball?

    -The user found the durability to be improved, as the new material on the black version showed no signs of damage after extended use.

  • What is the user's final assessment of the airless Gen One basketball?

    -The user considers the Gen One basketball to be more of a collector's item that is somewhat functional. It is an innovative product that shows promise but may not be ready for everyday use or outdoor play.

Outlines

00:00

🏀 Wilson's Airless Basketball Gen One: Collector's Edition?

The speaker discusses receiving an airless basketball from Wilson, which initially developed small fractures. Wilson replaced it with a black version, explaining that the first was an early prototype. The new ball, while still innovative and not intended to replace a regular basketball, has a better feel and texture. The speaker suggests that future versions might incorporate a leather texture for better grip. The video also features a sponsorship for Lifey's electric toothbrush, highlighting its design and functionality.

05:03

📦 Unboxing the Airless Gen One Basketball: A Historic Moment?

The speaker unboxes the airless basketball, noting its collector's value and the manufacturer's intention for it to be a display item rather than for daily use. Despite this, the speaker plans to test the ball on a court, comparing it to a regular basketball in terms of bounce, sound, and feel. The airless basketball has a quieter bounce and behaves differently when shot towards the rim, requiring the speaker to mentally adjust their shooting technique.

10:08

🎯 On-Court Testing: Airless Basketball vs. Regular Basketball

The speaker shares their experience playing with the airless basketball, noting the difficulty in adjusting to its different flight behavior and the slippery texture compared to a regular basketball. They suggest that the issue might be resolved by wrapping the ball in a material similar to a regular basketball's leather texture. The speaker concludes that while the airless basketball is a collector's item, it is also somewhat functional, and its durability appears improved in the black version.

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 sports equipment. It is the central focus of the video, representing a step towards the future of sports technology. The host discusses receiving a better version of this basketball after encountering issues with an earlier model, highlighting its importance in the narrative.

💡Fractures

Fractures refer to the small cracks that appeared on the initial airless basketball sent to the host. This term is significant as it indicates a problem with the durability of the early version of the basketball, which led to the host reaching out to Wilson for a replacement. The mention of fractures sets up the context for the discussion on product development and improvement.

💡Collector's Item

A 'Collector's Item' is an object that is sought after by collectors for its rarity, historical significance, or aesthetic value. In the context of the video, the host suggests that the Airless Gen1 Basketball, due to its high price and innovative nature, may be more of a collector's item than a basketball for everyday use. This concept ties into the broader theme of the video, which is about the balance between innovation, functionality, and value.

💡Engineering

Engineering is the application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical problems. The host expresses admiration for the engineering behind the airless basketball, noting that despite its lack of air, it still maintains a bounce similar to a traditional basketball. This keyword is central to the video's theme of innovation and the technical challenges of creating a new type of sports equipment.

💡Honeycomb Core

A 'Honeycomb Core' is a structure resembling the honeycomb pattern found in beehives, known for its strength and stability. The host suggests that a honeycomb core wrapped in a leather texture could be a future solution for airless basketballs to provide a better grip. This idea is an example of the kind of innovative thinking the host appreciates in the development of new sports technology.

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💡Gen One Beta Stage

The term 'Gen One Beta Stage' refers to the first generation of a product in its testing phase before it is fully released to the public. The host acknowledges that the airless basketball is in this stage, which explains its high price and potential for flaws. This keyword is important as it sets expectations for the product's performance and the host's evaluation of it.

💡Early Adopters

Early adopters are consumers who are among the first to purchase and use new products or technologies. The host identifies himself as an early adopter, which explains his willingness to try out and evaluate the airless basketball despite its high cost and potential issues. This concept is relevant to the video's theme of embracing and examining new and innovative products.

💡Leather Wilson Regulation Basketball

A 'Leather Wilson Regulation Basketball' is a standard basketball made by Wilson, typically used in professional and official games. It is made of leather and adheres to the regulations set by sports governing bodies. The host contrasts this traditional basketball with the airless version, emphasizing the differences in feel and performance.

💡Authenticity

Authenticity refers to the quality of being genuine or original. The host mentions a 'certificate of authenticity' that comes with the airless basketball, which underscores its status as a special, limited-edition product. This keyword ties into the video's discussion of the basketball as a potential collector's item.

💡Durability

Durability is the ability of a product to withstand wear, pressure, or damage without breaking or degrading. The host notes an improvement in durability with the black version of the airless basketball, which is important for a product that is meant to be used in a sport. This keyword is relevant to the host's evaluation of the basketball's practicality for actual gameplay.

💡Resistance

Resistance in the context of the video refers to the difference in how the airless basketball behaves when it moves through the air compared to a traditional basketball. The host discusses the need to mentally adjust his shooting technique to account for this resistance, which is a key aspect of his evaluation of the basketball's performance.

Highlights

Wilson sent a better Airless Gen1 Basketball after the first one developed tiny fractures.

The new black version of the Airless Gen1 Basketball is more durable and similar to the ones that will be shipped out.

The Airless Gen1 Basketball is still innovative and fringe technology, not meant to replace a traditional basketball.

The main drawback of airless basketballs is the texture on the outside, which affects grip and feel.

A potential solution for the texture issue could be wrapping a honeycomb core in a leather texture.

The Gen1 is in its beta stage and not as robust as future generations might be.

Early adopters often face challenges with new technology, but can enjoy being part of the innovation process.

The packaging suggests the Airless Gen1 Basketball is more of a collector's item than a daily use product.

The black version of the Airless Gen1 looks more like a street ball and has a stealthy appearance.

The Airless Gen1 comes with a certificate of authenticity and is presented as a historic achievement in basketball.

The bounce of the Airless Gen1 is very similar to a regular basketball, despite having no air.

The airless basketball produces less noise upon bouncing due to the lack of air inside.

Shooting with the Airless Gen1 requires mental adjustment due to differences in weight and resistance through air.

The texture of the Airless Gen1 is slippery compared to a regular basketball, affecting shooting confidence.

The durability of the black version of the Airless Gen1 seems improved, remaining intact after play.

The Airless Gen1 is considered more of an artifact or collector's item rather than a basketball for regular use.

The future of the Airless Gen1 basketball may include improvements in texture and weight distribution for better performance.

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