Choosing the right athletic shoes are very important. The shoes provide the cushioning that prevents impact from travelling up the posterior chain and supports the ankles, generally prevents injury under reasonable circumstances. The most important rule to remember is to choose the right shoes for the right task. Each type of shoe is designed and manufactured with a specific purpose in mind and it will be less than optimal when used for something else.
A perfect example is basketball. Basketball shoes are made explicitly for playing basketball, and using any other shoe could result in injury, due to the lack of ankle support and cushioning. The same is also true for the reverse. Using basketball shoes for other sports, such as badminton, squash etc can also result in injury, as they are very different sports that require support for a complete different range of motion.
Buying basketball shoes for men is a straightforward affair. They are divided into two types, indoor and outdoor which is also known as street basketball. They provide the different soles needed for both surfaces, however, there are also shoes that can be used on both. The other materials used are generally the same, with the cushioning technology the only other differentiating factor. From then on its just a matter of choosing a shoe that represents your style.
Always choose the shoe based on the sport, it will prevent injury in the long term.