NBA Legend Kobe Bryant left the mortal world in a horrific helicopter crash that also took the life of his daughter, Gianna. While the world still misses Kobe in the real and commercial world, Nike is trying to rekindle its legacy with the Kobe shoe line. Although it is not a new concept or product, it has not been updated for the last 2 years. On Monday, Athletic’s Shams Charania shared an update that Nike has named DeMar DeRozan as the new face of its legendary shoe line. Few players in the NBA have worn more Kobes throughout their careers than DeRozan, especially in recent years.
While the Bulls star may have had a great 2022 season, he would definitely have been more pleased with the deal and the idea of being linked to Kobe’s name. The 32-year-old star was a huge Black Mamba fan, and DeRozan’s Kobe collection includes rare, exclusive, and unreleased versions of the late Laker’s signature shoe.
While DeRozan’s transition to Kobe has a very interesting storyline, he’s definitely very loyal to his shoe line now.
Here is the history of the legendary Kobe Bryant shoe line that DeMar DeRozan will represent from now on.
Kobe Bryant has been playing basketball for the Lakers his entire career and has spent nearly all of that time wearing his distinctive sneakers. While these didn’t belong to Nike from the start, he spent nearly 10 seasons wearing his signature line of shoes. Rookie Kobe spent 7 seasons wearing Addidas after signing with Addidas. He won his famous 3 peat in Addidas and then in 2004 Bryant switched to Nike.
Of course, Kobe hasn’t worn the same shoes his entire career – far from it. Sneakers have changed and evolved as decisively as their game. And that says something.
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The Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 was their first signature shoe line with the sneaker giants back in 2004. Kobe left Adidas for Nike shortly after the launch of the KOBE TWO, thus beginning a new era in the world of Mamba sneakers. However, ongoing legal issues prevented Bryant from being given his signature line of shoes, so he turned to the Huarache 2K4, a generic Nike shoe.
The very next year, Kobe wore another Huarache model, the 2K5. The 2K4 was as successful as a shoe could be and prompted Nike to take a “fix it if it’s not broken” approach with the 2K5. The lighter and more flexible version remained a fan favorite throughout the year.
In 2006, Kobe finally managed to put his name on the front of the shoe, and Kobe celebrated the same with an 81-point game against the Raptors. Nike Zoom Kobe I was great, and even the great Kobe had a career-best statistical season in 2005-06, averaging 35 points per game, averaging about five assists and five rebounds.
After 3 successful Zoom series, Nike revealed the HyperDunk Kobe series in 2008 and finally returned to the Zoom series in 2009. Team USA’s gold medalist at the 2008 Olympics.
Not many remember at the moment, but Team USA was on the verge of losing to Spain in the gold medal match. Spain started shooting, the USA started to panic and things started to look good. Until Kobe put the team on his back.
Following the Zoom success, Nike completed its 7th version of the Zoom series in 2012. Shoes have gotten lighter every year, but when it comes to the Kobe line, this has been the primary form of evolution.
Talking about the Kobe shoe line, he once said: “I’ve always been focused on improving my game, doing my best. I want my shoes to mimic the pace of my game. It cuts fractions from height and weight, allowing me to play more controlled and faster so I can maneuver on the court – I want to feel like I’m moving at the speed of light.”
The Nike Kobe AD (aka Nike Kobe 12) was the first release in the series after Bryant’s retirement. Although not officially counted in Bryant’s signature line, the Nike Kobe Mamba Fury debuted in 2020 as a lower-cost sneaker model.
It was unclear whether the iconic sneaker relationship would continue after his death. But on March 24, 2022, it was announced that Bryant’s estate had reached a long-term agreement for the Kobe shoe line to remain with Nike. And now DeMar will represent this legendary shoe line.
While Vanessa claims Kobe will continue to be the face of the famous shoe line, many fans congratulate DeRozan on the deal. Here are the reactions of the fans,
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