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Kobe Bryant: A Career in Kicks By C.Y. Ellis
12.22.2007 - Updated on 12.26.2007
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Kobe. Bryant.
I don’t need to see you to know that his name alone has you pulling faces. Before a single verb or adjective has been attached to them, the words “Kobe Bryant” are sufficient to incite an emotion deep in your guts. As the advert says, you can love him or hate him, and few are capable of finding a middle ground. So, what does that have to do with this piece? Thankfully, nothing. Rather than subject you to the article on the duality of Kobe Bryant that you’ve read a thousand times before, I’ll be taking a look at his career in shoes. Let’s get right into it.
EQT Elevation (Adidas)
At its release, the EQT Elevation was, to borrow a phrase from the young Will Smith, “deeply, deeply dope.” It’s nearly ten years later, and the shoe looks as fresh as ever, with the oversized ankle emblem, reflective stripes and an outsole which creeps halfway up the side of the sneaker combining to form a piece of footwear that wouldn’t look out of place in a cartoon. The Elevation was the ride of choice for Kobe, then a bald-headed teenager, in his dunk contest victory, ensuring that it would forever be a small part of basketball history. Even without that competition, it would have gone down as one of the illest shoes of its generation.
KB8 (Adidas)
As Mr. Bryant’s first signature shoe, the KB8 had to be as bold, brash and brilliant as its namesake, and it was just that. Although it retained the wrap-around outsole of the Elevation, little was carried over from the design concept of Kobe’s previous kicks, with the KB8 looking unlike any shoe seen before or since. Recognising the number of sneaker freaks scouring the web for a pair years following their release, Adidas dropped a retro version which they named, interestingly, the “Crazy 8”, which you may have seen on the feet of several of the UCLA Bruins during their 2006 tournament run. KB8 II (Adidas) I have nothing nice to say about this shoe, and neither does anyone I know who was foolish enough to part with their cheddar for it. Rigid, clumpy and with a design that makes Tyrone Hill look like Tyra Banks,the KB8 II is an utter abomination before the footwear gods. Still, there are those who seemed to love it, and there may even be a time far from now when we look on the shoe and appreciate what the designers were trying to do when they created it. Until then, however, I’m going to have to assume that they were on drugs. KB8 III (Adidas) Though the third sneaker to bear Kobe’s name may have lacked the visual character of its predecessors, those who wore it claimed it was one of the better shoes of its time in terms of performance. With an understated appearance, you could be forgiven for forgetting the KB8 III ever existed, yet the platinum colourway pictured is known to have fetched upwards of several hundred dollars in online auctions. If you find one of the 333 numbered pairs released at the turn of the millennium for less than three hundred bucks, you’ll have come across a real bargain. THE KOBE (Adidas)
 Designed in tandem with German car manufacturers Audi and based on their iconic TT Roadster, THE KOBE is a true work of art. Simple but stunning, its release marked a new stage in the evolution of sneaker design, showing that function could follow form without impairing performance. While some still can’t stomach THE KOBE’s looks, it remains, for me, one of the most striking kicks to ever hit the hardwood. As if the outrageous silver colourway wasn’t enough, Adidas released a special mesh edition which Kobe showed off in ’00-’01 playoffs, which the Lakers dominated on the way to their second consecutive championship. KOBETWO (Adidas) If THE KOBE was an Audi TT Roadster, the KOBETWO was a Lamborghini with the brains blown out. Even more minimalist than its predecessor, it was met with a mixed reaction, which, historically, is a good thing. However, there’s no denying that it looks better on the rack than the feet, perhaps due to the unusual collar which gave the KOBETWO its unique profile. Also noteworthy is the commercial spot which preceded its release, featuring a possibly toasted Snoop and Warren G discussing Kobe and the shoe in the studio. (If you don’t remember it, you can check that out here.) THE KOBE III (Adidas) [name never confirmed]  Since Kobe’s contract with Adidas expired before it went into mass production, the model commonly termed “THE KOBE III” is now known as the shoe that never was. Given that our knowledge of it is limited to what we can see in a few snaps leaked by Adidas insiders, nothing is known of how the sneaker holds up under pressure. Still, with the zipped front, clean colourways and wacky toecap, it certainly looked to have great potential, and many still hold out hope that it will see the light of day under a different name at some point in the future.
Miscellaneous
Following the end of his official relationship with Adidas, Kobe took advantage of his freedom from contractual obligations to test the products of numerous companies, rarely sticking with a single shoe for more than a few games at a time. While the various models he tried out are too many to mention, he seemed fondest of Jordans, Air Forces and the original Reebok Question, leading many to conclude that the battle to sign him was down to Nike and Reebok. Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 (Nike)
 He eventually inked a contract with Nike, and, although the company refrained from giving him his own shoe due to The Colorado Incident, the Huarache 2K4 soon came to be associated with Kobe. His image may have suffered irreparable damage during the early days with Nike, but his feet were as comfortable as they had ever been, going to work every night in the super-light sneaker that made up for its awkward looks with excellent support and responsiveness. Air Zoom Huarache 2K5 (Nike) Within five minutes of hooping in the 2K5, I’d proclaimed it the best basketball shoe ever made. Two years later, I’m no closer to retracting that statement. Weighing in at a mere 14.4 ounces (in a size eleven U.S.), the 2K5 boasts Zoom Air units in the heel and forefoot, a wedge in the sole to prevent rolled ankles, and a full-length carbon fibre spring plate that makes you feel as if you’re walking on a trampoline. Throw in some top-notch traction and a bold design that’ll stand the test of time, and you have a classic sneaker. Air Zoom Kobe I (Nike)
 With the media pressure gradually lessening, a new member of the Uptempo line was announced: the Air Zoom Kobe I, Mamba’s first signature shoe with Nike. Sporting the stylised dagger emblem, the Zoom Kobe was the sneaker on his feet on January 22nd, 2006, the date on which the Raptors were the victims of the infamous eighty-one-point outburst.
Air Zoom Kobe II (Nike)
With a new number but the same dedication to the game, the Heir Apparent hit the ground running in his second signature shoe from Nike, the Air Zoom Kobe II. However, it seems as if the sneaker couldn’t keep up with him as KB24 took to the court rocking the Huarache 2K4 for a game against Seattle in late November and has been hooping in them ever since. Despite Kobe’s apparent lack of confidence in the shoe, Nike designed no fewer than three models of the ZKII: the original (top-left), the AZKII ST (top-right), the AZKII Lite (bottom-right and bottom-left) or "Finisher" as it is sometimes called.
Air Zoom Kobe III (Nike)
To paraphrase Dave Chappelle, “What can I say about that [sneaker] that hasn’t already been said about Afghanistan?” While Kobe’s next shoe is yet to be released, early images suggest that not only will it be the ugliest kick he’s ever worn, but the ugliest thing to hit the NBA hardwood since Sam Cassell last dived for a loose ball. Hopefully for the sake of Mr. Bryant and the millions who’ll have to see those monstrosities whenever he plays, Nike will rethink their ambitious, net-inspired design and hook Kobe up with something a little less likely to make me see my lunch twice.
- CYE (CYE.HoopsVibe@gmail.com) |
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Posted by
kray28
on 03.5.2008 | I just got my pair of black Zoom Kobe IIIs last week...and all I have to say is that looks are deceiving. And all the negative word of mouth about this show....based on just pictures is kind of sad. At least try the shoe on before commenting on it. My take:They are ultra light, ultra comfortable and at times it doesn’t even feel like you’re wearing a shoe. Also while they look different, they don’t look bad on your feet. I don’t think pics do this shoe justice... . | Posted by
on 03.4.2008 | least kobes shoes dont look like they weigh as much as lebrons shoes... his shoes look like they are used in the gym! . | Posted by
M Daddy
on 02.29.2008 | I’m OK with the new Air Zooms. (The Gold and Red West All Star edition is pretty sweet). I still like THE KOBE Adidas. Just bought some brand new on eBay. Kickass! . | Posted by
skip
on 02.24.2008 | Everyone on this board saying the new Kobe’s are ugly must be smoking that GOOD ISH. These things remind me so much of Presto’s in their looks, comfort, and feel, its definitely an understated looking shoe, and its HOT, Nike actually designed a good looking shoe, it will be comical when in 3-5 years everyone bashing the shoe is paying 500 for it on ebay. . | Posted by
Bobby R. Bowden, MBA
on 01.1.2008 | The 2k4’s are the hottest period. Those were supposed to be his shoe but nike shitted on him because of a little bad press. Just like retro J’s, the stores couldn’t keep 2k4’s in stock. Everybody loved the shoe, the many different colors that it came in, and the fact that they felt so damn good when you played in them. I have flat feet and these shoes feel like a dream. I have two pair that I only wear for balling and playing in charity games. We wear BobCats jerseys when we play so I have the all black suede, and the all black leather with orange thread. Kobe feels like he missed something by not getting his proper publicity with this shoe so now he’s making a statement by wearing it again. They’re just too hott!! Bobby R. Bowden, MBA
CEO, Publisher
Klazzy.com the Magazine . | Posted by
Chucky
on 12.31.2007 | I don’t see how anyone can make any excuses for those shoes. Good performance does not have to be that ugly. . | Posted by
on 12.27.2007 | don’t forget the few years when he wore Jordans on the court. . | Posted by
levi
on 12.27.2007 | decent, it would have been cool if he signed with a low name comp. and made them his own tho, like skip w/ And 1, if i was a superstar id make my own brand or sign with an upandcomer and take them all the way to the top, who needs Nike...levi . | Posted by
chris chicago
on 12.27.2007 | Nice piece. I was really hoping you’d touch on the Top Ten 2000 he wore in the playoffs before facing the Pacers in the finals. those got very little press, had a classic look, and have long since been forgotten. Maybe if you mentioned them adidas would do a retro. . | Posted by
on 12.27.2007 | hey Traveler9, you dumb f*ck... try to read it AGAIN:"the AZKII Lite (bottom-right and bottom-left) or "Finisher" as it is sometimes called."don’t comment unless you comprehend, dumb shit.as for the shoes, the kobe 3s are ugly, but really light and comfortable like the nike frees, which is why kobe wears them. the black one sucks, but if you see the purple and gold ones kobe wore during the phoenix game.. it looked pretty good to me. . | Posted by
Lndnjs
on 12.27.2007 | I know I’m probably going to have to get my flame suit on, but the ZK3 is a sweet shoe IMO. Light, simple, bursting with tech without being OTT. Suits my playing style and I also like the look of the shoe... The white/gold/ purple joints he was wearing against the suns are sweet.Also love the 2k4s. Least fav of these nikes is the ZK1- build quality over time was bad on these - glue came apart on the outsole, etc . | Posted by
on 12.27.2007 | I must say in terms of looks, Adiddas Kobe’s were really great. But in terms of performance I still rate the Nike’s up there... now if he can only pull a Jordan and create a shoe with Adiddas and Nike designers... . | Posted by
Akhil
on 12.26.2007 | For what it’s worth, I’d guess that the waffle iron-channeling Kobe III is actually trying to mimic snakeskin, a la Mamba. He had something similar (although less pronounced) going on in the Kobe II. . | Posted by
wellillbe
on 12.26.2007 | Geez, you’d think that Kobe would stay away from anything that ugly if he’d wanna clean up his image. . | Posted by
rawnoyz
on 12.24.2007 | so where can i find the lites? they never released in stores and im surprised that kobe 3’s are comin out before them.. also, y did kobe only wear the lites during the preseason if theyre the "finisher"? . | Posted by
Jonathan
on 12.23.2007 | Listen up guys.The Zoom Kobe NIKE Line has always got the same reaction when the general public first see’s sample and early model of the ZKI, ZKII, and now with the ZKIII.Everyone at first says the hate and that they will never buy a pair.But those same people who make those comments usual end up buying at least 1 pair if not mutltiple pairs of Kobes shoes.Also its funny but kids and people now who started buying and collecting shoes during the Air Jordan retro craze dont even realize or know that OG Air Jordan back in the 90’s sat on store shelfs ad didnt sell out in a couple hours like most hyped up retro Air Jordan’s do nowadays.In fact one of alot people’s "Holy Grail" the Air Jordan XI concords even hit sales rack and discount stores like Mervyns, Marshalls, and Ross.Also I like the direction and what NIKE is doing with the Kobe shoe and clothing line compared to Lebron’s NIKE shoe and clothing line.Seriously I see nothing innovative and orignal with Lebron’s NIKE shoes. . | Posted by
hanhan
on 12.23.2007 | your the great kobe of all . | Posted by
kb24
on 12.23.2007 | no offense his lates shoes is beyond ugly.now no doubt about it, people will buy just for support but wtf?those are fugly...hopefully they never hit the storei like his addidas way better, they were so retro and the logo was of course better . | Posted by
C.Y. Ellis
on 12.23.2007 | Our resident sneaker expert assured me that although the difference between the Lite and the Finisher was nothing more than a few minor design features, they were, in fact, two different shoes. Then someone else told me that the two names referred to the same shoe. Later, a third person claimed that they were, indeed, two different sneakers, so I ran with the majority when I published the article. I subsequently received emails from two guys who know their stuff stating that they were the same shoe, which made it 3-2 in favour of the Lite and the Finisher being one model. I went with the crowd again, so the article has been edited. I’m sure I’ll now receive angry messages stating the contrary, but I’m not changing it for a third time. . | Posted by
Traveler9
on 12.23.2007 | In the "Air Zoom Kobe II (Nike)" section, the 2 bottom pictures are the same shoe. . |
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