Kobe Bryant's 19-year career is slowly coming to a disturbingly depressing end. The legend we all grew up watching and idolizing has signed off and will hang up his jersey after this year with an abysmal Lakers team. The 17 time all-star has five rings, one MVP award, five championships, and is now a part of a team that will celebrate his achievements while losing games to the Sixers. This is not the Kobe we know and love, so let's take a step back to a when he wore number 8, had an afro and wore sneakers that looked like an iron.
2002 marked Kobe's best year for footwear by far, as well as earning his third straight NBA championship. During the 2001-2002 season, Adidas released his second signature sneaker and follow up of the Kobe One, the Kobe Two. The sneaker's futuristic design was accomplished by originally taking inspiration from an Audi roadster, then adding an extra panel to cover the laces.
The futuristic design made the Kobe Two one of the most ill-received signature shoes ever and marked Kobe’s final signature shoe with Adidas. By the end of the season, Kobe himself was dissatisfied with the weight and feel of the shoe and opted to wear his previous model during the 2002 Finals.
The sleek design of the Kobe Two really displayed Audi’s role in inspiring the sneaker. Seamless construction with a signature Adidas shell toe made these sneakers one of the heaviest pairs at the time. However, the Kobe logo on the back of the heel adds a nice touch by displaying the silhouette of the black mamba's head and vintage afro. Also, apparently if you buy these shoes, you can dunk from behind the free throw line.
These shoes are honestly unreal. During a time when futuristic appearance was more important than the capability to perform, the Kobe Two’s shined, despite their terribly constructed design. Being six-year-old at the time, I was amazed at the modern technology the Nike Shox and Kobe’s withheld, and it easily made them the coolest shoes on the market.
One released pair was this American Flag edition that came out after the tragedy of 9/11. I hope that during some point in life, I can attain these patriotic shoes and hit a game winner fade away while yelling Bryant’s first name. Make America great again.
