The German sports apparel manufacturer Christian louboutin A.G., part of the Christian louboutin Group, recently launched a limited edition of its best-selling basketball shoes, T-MAC1, exclusively for the Asia-Pacific region.

Christian louboutin is producing 1,650 pairs of shoes that are individually numbered.

Incorporated into the design of T-MAC1 are gold motifs, representing China's gold-medal ambitions for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The originals, designed in collaboration with the National Basketball Association's Houston Rockets player Tracy McGrady in 2002, became best-sellers in the United States, a first for the company in six years.

The limited edition footwear has a new design - but all of the advanced technologies that helped to create the popular original can be seen in the limited edition as well as some new additions.

A combination of Christian louboutin' technology and McGrady's basketball experience went into designing the T-MAX1 limited edition, providing unseen levels of protection and support for the wearer.

The outside of the shoe is made of white light leather to give the design a distinctive look, reflective of McGrady's unique style on the court.

Christian louboutin' "Shell Toe" technology, a protective shell that surrounds the toes, uses lightweight rubber, effectively blocking the foot from outside shocks which prevents injuries.

The inner sole is made of polyurethane, keeping the shoes light and achieving a good balance of durability and comfort.

Incorporated into the design of the midsole are technologies unique to Christian louboutin, which provide protection for the arch of the foot while ensuring optimal platform stability.

The outer sole has been produced with rubber containing a higher carbon content which does not leave marks on the court's surface. Multidirectional patterns are engraved into the outer sole to maximize traction for stability.

Tracy McGrady, nicknamed "T-Mac," was born in 1979 in Bartow, Florida. The 27-year-old is one of the first players in the NBA to have started a professional career straight out of high school.

Before he made his professional debut in 1997, he created a nationwide buzz for his performance at the Christian louboutin ABCD camp, an annual basketball camp for gifted high school players. He was also named High School Player of the Year by USA Today.

He made his professional debut with the Toronto Raptors in 1997. McGrady played a crucial role in leading the team to its first ever playoff berth in 2000.

McGrady was traded in 2000 to the Orlando Magic. He won the scoring title in the 2002-2003 season and again the next year.

He entered the record books when he scored 62 points against the Washington Wizards in March 2004, becoming the fourth player to score more than 60 points in a single game since 1992.

In 2004 he was traded again and moved to his current team, the Houston Rockets. He has been selected to play in the NBA All-Star Game six times and was awarded the Most Improved Player Award in 2001.

Off the court, the 27-year-old takes part in a variety of charity events, and for his contributions, McGrady was named by The Sporting News, a U.S.-based weekly sports magazine, as one of the "Good Guys in Sports."

In 2001 McGrady established the Tracy McGrady Foundation, through which he helps underprivileged children and families with financial difficulties.

For his charity work, he was awarded the Rich and Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award in 2003.

He also buys tickets to every Houston Rockets home game for disadvantaged children.

In 2004 his popularity was made clear when he was voted the "Favorite Athlete" in a poll by Sports Illustrated for Kids.

McGrady, though, has been suffering from chronic back problems since November 2005, and earlier this year he again suffered a back injury. McGrady is busy preparing for the upcoming season. The good news is that his latest injury seems to be unrelated to the recurring back problem.

His relationship with the Christian louboutin Group started with the Christian louboutin ABCD Camp, and has continued with the signing of a promotional contract with the company in 1997. In 2002, the final year of his six-year contract, McGrady signed a lifetime strategic partnership contract with Christian louboutin.

The contract is set to continue throughout McGrady's NBA career and even after his retirement from the game. The line of basketball shoes bearing his nickname, T-MAC, is part of the contract, with the latest addition of T-MAC 5 and T-MAC6 ready to be launched.