We would like to look back at his legendary career through one aspect that is close to us - sneakers - thanks to these five great moments that we lived through at SVD.
Five moments when Kobe's sneakers broke down barriers
The tragic death of Kobe Bryant reminds us of many of his best moments - moments that go far beyond the basketball court. Aside from his innumerable merits as a player, there were demonstrations of unexpected talent, spanning from literature to cinema (he's the only NBA player with an Oscar).
Kobe I
His first sneakers with Nike were revolutionary two times. At the time of the original release in 2006, he scored 81 points with them, and the following 2018 re-edition wasn't about feeling nostalgic, but rather about revitalization. Light weight and with new materials, the new Kobe I strove to be aesthetically identical to the first model, but allowing for a higher performance.
Kobe IV
For his new model, Kobe Bryant posed a dilemma to the Nike design team. Soccer had very low-cut and close-to-the-ground footwear, while basketball (being played on a flatter surface) was still proposing sneakers that covered the ankle. Low-cut models existed, but Kobe wanted the lowest sneaker ever made... and with this, he completely changed the game. Low-top sneakers became the norm, and they still are a decade later.
Hyperdunk
A video became unexpectedly viral. Kobe Bryant with his new Hyperdunk leaping over an Aston Martin. We wanted to believe it was true, even though we knew it wasn't. The video helped present a Hyperdunk that placed all the possible technology into one sneaker. Vaguely inspired by the Nike Mag from Back to the Future, the Hyperdunk paved the way for the special edition Nike Mag and the new Adapt.
Kobe 9
Once low-top sneakers were fully accepted, Kobe wanted to go one step further. It wasn't about creating a high-top model, it was rather about merging the player with the sneaker, something that could only be achieved with the Flyknit. The risky design helped contemplate new alternatives in a world that accepts truths as absolute.
Jordan XI
Talking about sneakers, the most interesting season of Kobe Bryant was 2002/03. Even with no contract, Kobe played with different models by other brands, from the Reebok Question to the Converse Weapon, going through to the Air Force 1. But he couldn't avoid paying a particular tribute to his idol. He wore almost every possible Jordan, but our favorite remains the XI.