A players' shoes must have good traction, which is the same as saying that the coefficient of friction between the shoe and the floor must be high. Friction is the force that opposes the motion of two surfaces that are in contact. Every surface is rough, on the microscopic scale, and when two surfaces come in contact, the high points on each surface temporarily make contact. The opposing or attracting forces of the surface molecules cause a 'frictional' force. A basketball player will also make use of static friction; a foot firmly planted, rather than slipping across the floor, will provide more friction when he has to stop or turn suddenly. This is because static friction ('pushing off') is greater than sliding friction ('sliding'). It is also why shoes must have a good grip on the floor in any direction you push off from, and why some shoes are unsuitable for basketball ... they may have lots of forward traction, but slip too easily when pushing sideways. It's just like driving ... spinning tires have less frictional force than non-spinning ones. ABS systems keep the tires from sliding, and maintain more friction.
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