Kobe Bryant’s 18-year career is going to come to an end on Wednesday night when he plays his final game against the Jazz at the Staples Center, and people are paying ridiculous amounts to see him suit up in a Lakers uniform one final time.
Basically every aspect of Kobe’s career has been talked about ad nauseam in the months winding down to his final game, but one aspect that has perhaps been overlooked is the impact that Mr. 81 has had on the world of sneakers.
Kobe has been one of basketball’s most marketable stars during the course of his career, and he has had several Nike and adidas sneakers that have been some of the best-selling shoes of all-time. Bleacher Report recently decided to honor all of Kobe’s sneaker designs with a slick two-minute animated video chronicling Bryant’s career through his ever-evolving footwear.
Starting with the Elevation that Kobe wore when he won the dunk contest in 1997, all the way up through the XI released this year as his career comes to a close, all 19 sneakers have their own unique style and flair. While the video is great for remembering all of Black Mamba’s best shoes, it’s also a great way to remember the full scope of his career in general, as every major highlight and accomplishment the future Hall of Famer has managed is represented by a new sneaker that was released to the public that same year.
(Via Bleacher Report)
