Another weekend of hoops is in the books, and thus another weekend of sneakers are, too. Just a normal length weekend this time, but we’re coming up on an important day anniversary for the NBA, and several players are already celebrating with their footwear.
One year ago today, on January 26th, 2020, Kobe Bryant tragically died in a helicopter crash that also took the life of his daughter and several of their close friends. It shook the NBA both in its gravity and its suddenness. Bryant was a hero to many in his 20 year Hall of Fame career in Los Angeles. While his legacy is complicated, his impact on the current generation of the NBA and WNBA is visible. With rare exception, Kobe Bryant is your favorite player’s favorite player. The current generation has tried to harbor the Mamba Mentality and work ethic as they’ve honed their craft; the previous watched in awe while he scored 81-points, sky-ed for big-time dunks, and snarled at the buzzer.
And, for the purposes of this piece, since Kobe’s death his sneakers are the most worn signature line in the NBA. In the Orlando Bubble, the Kobe Protro V along was worn by 70 different players.
Kobe sneaker stats in the NBA Bubble:
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) October 26, 2020
• 102 players wore a Kobe sneaker
• 280 total Kobe shoes worn
• 70 players wore a Kobe 5
• 21 players wore 39 different Kobe 5 PEs
• @AntDavis23 wore most Kobe 5s of anyone — 18 different pairs
• 12 players wore 5s in the #NBAFinals https://t.co/DKwFvJMlaX pic.twitter.com/QnTuf6XRzD
Friday, a Historic Anniversary
15 years ago today, Kobe Bryant scored a career-high 81 points (the second most ever) in the Nike Zoom Kobe 1. #NBAKicks pic.twitter.com/0xb95xpHzj
— ? #NBAKicks ? (@NBAKicks) January 22, 2021
It is eerily appropriate that the weekend started with the anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s 81 point night. He tore apart the Raptors, and Jalen Rose, in a primarily white colorway of his Nike Zoom Kobe 1 silhouette. The purple trim matched the accent and fonts of the white Lakers jerseys, while the black swoosh was a warning: the Black Mamba was about to have a night.
Kobe sliced and diced and it up in Toronto that night. While the colorway was called initially boring things like “white/purple” or “White Lakers,” Bryant’s performances had a way of creating new names for his kicks. Much like Michael Jordan saw his shoes get renamed “the Flu Game 12’s,” or “the Last Shot 14’s,” Kobe’s “Air Zoom 81’s” will always evoke one particular memory, 15 years ago this month
A Year Ago…
A year ago today, LeBron James passed Kobe Bryant on the all-time scoring list wearing the Nike LeBron 17 “MVPuppets” ? pic.twitter.com/5PAs2enTIH
— B/R Kicks (@brkicks) January 25, 2021
In the cruelest form of poetry, the night before the tragedy LeBron James surpassed Kobe Bryant’s all-time scoring mark. In an effort to be appropriately reverent, James wore a Kobe Bryant specific colorway to honor the Black Mamba.
The black base is for Kobe, while the purple and gold accents and laces complete the moment in Lakers history. Look closely: the puppet hands from the famous Nike campaign don the tongue, creating a classic “LA” hand sign
What’s in store for this year?
Vanessa Bryant has publicly stated she doesn’t want January 26th to be filled with a bunch of her late husband and daughter’s tragedy. To be fair, Kobe Bryant already has multiple “Kobe Days.” The city of Los Angeles dubbed August 24th (8/24) Kobe Day as the day ties to his two numbers retired in Staples Center. Bryant’s birthday, August 23rd, has been lumped in as well. And, on the last day of his career, Nike dubbed April 13th “Kobe Day” to mark the last time he was on the floor. Nike rolled out Kobe gear for the anniversary in 2017, 2018, and 2019, but did not in 2020. Between the pandemic and the rush for Kobe sneakers, Nike opted to wait until August for the drop.
Vanessa Bryant also has publicly said she doesn’t like how Nike is turning profit off of Kobe’s death by offering limited releases of his merchandise, instead of offering a plethora of more reasonably priced gear. To Vanessa’s credit, the result has been that Kobe sneakers have doubled and tripled in the resale market, which in turn limits the people who can really afford to wear their Kobe merch. Thus, I wouldn’t expect some shock drops.
As we look back at the weekend of sneakers, we will look specifically at some homages to Kobe “Bean” Bryant, as well as some things to look forward to on Tuesday night. But what ways could they go?
Nike People: PE’s or Originals?
Here’s the fascinating thing about Kobe Sneakers: there’s not a big rush to rock the classic purple and gold colorways. Dudes are, by and large, getting custom PE’s of the classic silhouettes in what is called a Protro. The Protro combines modern professional footwear technology and cushioning with the exact retro sneaker from the past.
Thus, NBA players are finding more comfort in their own versions of Mamba’s classic sneakers, and I would imagine that is the vibe you see on Tuesday night. For example:
Adidas People: Crazy 8s
The Bryant Love is not just reserved for the Nike basketball family. Kobe Bryant was an Adidas guy through the 2002 season. While Bryant’s legal troubles led to him getting dropped from the Three Stripes, the sneakers have carried on nearly two decades later.
Renamed the “Crazy 8,” young Kobe’s larger than life persona is evident in this cushion laden shoe. Keep an eye out for modern Adidas guys (James Harden, Damian Lillard, and Donovan Mitchell to name a few) to rock this old school classic in some form or fashion. If they break out the “Crazy 8 II’s” then the show is over.
Surprise: Jordan People?
Kobe wearing Jordans during his 2002-03 sneaker free agency season was special ?? #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/dYApm2yQEX
— SoleCollector.com (@SoleCollector) May 4, 2020
So Kobe rocked Nike sneakers from 2004 – 2016, and he was an Adidas guy from 1996 – 2002. What about the time in between?
Kobe was what we call a “sneaker free agent.” He wore Jordans throughout this window, both in classic colorways and in custom PEs. Some of the rarest Jordans are actually based on Mamba’s game more than His Airness. Jordan rocked one of the illest pair of III’s ever, and it wouldn’t be crazy to see a Jordan athlete (Like Chris Paul, Luka Doncic, or Zion Williamson) go that route… or to see PJ Tucker do it, for that matter.
Surprise: Reebok People?
James Harden honoring Kobe by wearing a Reebok Question PE. #sneakers #NBA #sneakernews pic.twitter.com/uPGPzQr41e
— OnePairSneakers (@OnePairSneakers) February 7, 2020
Kobe’s sneaker free agency year was not limited to just Jordans. Kobe rocked some purple and gold Reeboks, most notably The Question. His nod to Allen Iverson was well noted by sneakerheads, and by James Harden. In 2016, Kobe Bryant’s final year in the league, Harden broke these out for his final game against the Black Mamba. Reebok was owned by Adidas at the time, so there was no foul sponsor play. Harden’s kicks were brilliant. Look out for a Reebok guy, like Montrezl Harrell, to go this route. Or, again… PJ Tucker
(Non-Kobe Wears: LeBron Went Crazy)
(Ok, so this is really a Kobe sneaker post, but I couldn’t NOT say something about these pink beauties. Holy cow, Nike. When can we get the drop here?)
(Non-Kobe Wears: Stars, Stripes, and Gold?)
(Again: this is supposed to be a Kobe sneakers post… but these are immaculate. The up close detailing is as impressive as the patriotism. Good move, Trezz)
(Non-Kobe Wears: Inaugural Kicks)
(You can’t write on sneakers this week and NOT mention that the Air Jordan I Diors from the inauguration! These sneakers, worn by Kamala Harris’ nephew, stole the show… along with Bernie’s mittens)
(Non-Kobe Wears: Dame Lillard caught a VIBE)
Ruthless: @Dame_Lillard has a new Adidas shoe dropping in OKC colors to celebrate his series-ending shot & 50 point game. ??? pic.twitter.com/gDiMIkK2lT
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) January 24, 2021
(In the most petty way possible, Lillard now finds sneaker inspiration from the teams he crushed in his finest moments. In a weird way, this feels EXACTLY like a Kobe move…)
