Dubbed as the best player ever since Michael Jordan (in some opinions), Kobe Bryant going into his 16th year pro has had a career worth commemorating. With that said here’s a look at Kobe Bryant’s “Top 24 Kicks“….
Sidenote: (there’s no specific order of likes or dislikes, just decided to go from the beginning of his signature line to current but there is a number 1 that deserved the spot).
Adidas Kobe Bryant: KB8 aka “Crazy 8”
“The Black Mamba’s” first signature shoe, its only right to pay homage to this classic shoe of the then 17 yr. old Kobe Bryant.
Nike Hyperdunk Kobe
Hyperdunks were first released in 2008, it will always be the first of its kind in what is shaping up to be Nike’s very own innovation revolution. Incorporating Flywire made this shoe the lightest performance basketball shoe ever up until the Kobe IV and V. The shoe was worn by Kobe in a game against the Spurs which had then been put in a film by Spike Lee: “Kobe Doin Work”
Nike Air Force 1 Foamposite “Eggplant” aka Kobe Bryant
Released on February 17,2011 this eggplant color way of the AF1 Foamposite made Kobe Bryant the first player to receive a personalized color way of this shoe. Sporting Kobe Bryant’s signature “Black Mamba” logo in the Lakers Gold/Yellow on the tongue and pull tabs added a nice touch to the shoe. Also Kobe’s signature can be found on the bottom of the shoes icy blue sole. These were a special release; quick strike.
Nike Zoom Kobe IV: “Philly”
The “Philly” Kobe IV was released to show love to Kobe Bryants roots. Taking on the theme inspired by the “City of Brotherly Love” it was only right to deck the shoe out in “stars and stripes”. Growing up Kobe watched his dad Joe “Jellybean” Bryant play for the Philadelphia 76ers which will probably explain the color way of the shoe. Also inside the shoe on the insole is Kobe Bryant’s birthday 8-23-1978.
Nike Zoom Kobe IV: “Gold Medal Game”
The Kobe IV Gold Medal Game is dipped out in mostly gold snakeskin around the toe box, heel and ankle to give it that “Black Mamba” feel. Then the rest of the shoe in red, white and blue to obviously to represent USA. Released as a quick strike these were made to pay tribute to the gold medal victory in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Game.
Nike Zoom Kobe IV: “61 Points”
These were worn by Kobe Bryant against the Orlando Magic where he recorded a 40 point, 8 rebound and 8 assist game. The “61 Points” Kobe IV, an exclusive pair of NIKE IDs were made to pay homage for Kobe’s performance against the NY Knicks that February where Bryant dropped 61 points in The Garden. Kobe also won his fourth championship wearing his fourth signature shoe.
Nike Zoom Kobe IV: “4 Rings Edition”
To help commemorate Kobe Bryant’s fourth NBA Championship NIKE released these quick strikes. Here we can see the shoe sporting the Lakers color scheme, inside the tongues of the shoe there is the “Kobe puppet” hand with four rings and on the insole there is the four championship rings Kobe has won.
Nike Zoom Kobe V: “Chaos”
This particular color way, which is looked at as “chaotic” suits the name it was given perfectly. The “Chaos” Kobe V was inspired by Heath Ledgers performance of the Joker in “The Dark Knight”.
Nike Zoom Kobe V: “Bruce Lee”
It has been said that Kobe trains in the martial arts, Jeet Kune Do which was developed by Bruce Lee himself (via. Kicksologists). NIKE decided to pay tribute to the late Bruce Lee by making this inspired shoe the same color of the tracksuit Bruce Lee wore in “Game of Death”.
Nike Zoom Kobe V: “All-Star Game”
This All-Star edition of the Kobe V is what would have been worn by Kobe if he played. Due to multiple injuries Kobe opted to sit out this All-Star game but that didn’t stop NIKE from releasing a shoe for the occasion.
Nike Zoom Kobe V: 5 Rings Edition
After repeating as NBA champ, made by NIKE to comenmorate Kobe receiving his 5th NBA championship these quick strikes released on October 27, 2010. The upper blue can be seen to have different variations of “5” all over it, also yellow accents and a yellow swoosh to compliment the shoes very well.
Nike Zoom Kobe VI: “Lightbulbs” aka Del Sol “POP” (Playoff Pack Away)
Nike Zoom Kobe VI: “Glass blues”
Nike Zoom Kobe VI: All Star Game
Nike Zoom Kobe VI: “Sunset” aka “OC” (Orange County)
Nike Zoom Kobe VI: Italian Camo
The first pair out of three in the Kobe VI “Camo Pack”
Nike Zoom Kobe VI: “Grey Camo/Concord”
The second color way out of three in the Kobe VI “Camo Pack”
Nike Zoom Kobe VI: “Photo Blue Camo/Black/White/Volt”
The third color way in the Kobe VI “Camo Pack”
Nike Zoom Kobe VI: “Supreme Chaos”
Nike Zoom Kobe VI: “Christmas Days” (Grinches)
Worn by Kobe Bryant on Christmas Day, these all green with red laces (to coincide with christmas colors) were dubbed the Grinches. This color way caught everyones eye when Kobe wore them on the court. Other players like Kobe were given Christmas themed shoes for the holiday by Nike, LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
Nike Kobe VII Supreme: “Christmas Day” (cheetah)
Part of the “Predator Pack”, these were Kobe Bryant’s Christmas Day kicks. The start of the 2011-2012 season (Lockout season) started on Christmas Day and what better way to continue from last year Christmas Day kicks than this.
Nike Zoom Kobe VII: “Gold Medal”
Nike celebrates Kobe’s 2nd gold medal with a special edition “Gold Medal” Kobe VII. This shoe has some similarities to the “USA” Kobe VII’s that had released but these on the other hand have one main change. The change is especially noticed by those who purchased the “USA” Kobe VII’s and that is the gold swoosh. There are other minor changes as well but nothing pays homage to the 2012 gold medal than the gold swoosh accompanying it. The “Gold Medal” Kobe VII’s release on 9/29/12.
Nike Zoom Kobe VII: “Invisibility Cloak”
Said to be inspired by the garment worn by Harry Potter, the “Invisibility Cloak” Kobe VII were a shoe whose release almost went unnoticed mostly due to its limited quantity. The official color way is Black/Court Purple-Turquoise Blue but the special thing about “The Cloaks” is how the shoe changes colors depending on the lighting from black to green or even purple.
Nike Zoom Kobe VII: “WTK” (What The Kobe)
Finally… #1 on the “Kobe Bryant Top 24 Kicks”, What The Kobe. Part of the “What The” collection the title is exactly what you would say when you see these…. “What The?”…This very limited shoe barely saw retailers shelves and its not hard to see why. The official color way of these were Bamboo/Tropical Twist-Hasta-Seaweed…
So there you have it folks… “Kobe Bryant “The Black Mamba” Top 24 Kicks”. Which were your favorites? Which Kobe’s didn’t you see that you may have felt should have been on the list? Leave a comment below and share some thoughts with us over here at Def Pen Radio.
