{"id":473954,"date":"2015-11-30T17:47:36","date_gmt":"2015-11-30T22:47:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/?p=473954"},"modified":"2022-09-15T02:41:21","modified_gmt":"2022-09-15T07:41:21","slug":"kobeweek-kobe-bryants-early-adidas-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/kobeweek-kobe-bryants-early-adidas-days\/","title":{"rendered":"#KobeWeek \/\/ Kobe Bryant’s Early adidas Days"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yesterday, Kobe Bryant<\/strong> announced this will be his last season in the NBA. By many measures one of the all-time greats, by some measures the best player of this generation, Jelly Bean Jr. has been the leading man on the Hollywood hardwood for nearly two decades.<\/p>\n

Before he was the man though, he was the boy. Literally. Entering the league at 17 years of age, his parents had to sign his contract with the Lakers. His early days in LA would be scored by an adidas<\/strong> endorsement that spawned two separate signature lines and a variety of EQT models that would also earn KB8 acclaim.<\/p>\n

As the first part of our five-piece #KobeWeek series, we profile the Black Mamba’s early days as a young high flyer in the Three Stripes. Check out his best kicks and commercials in the pages below.<\/p>\n

Rookie Rotation<\/h2>\n

In this day and age, a player has to make an All-Star team or sign with a relative unknown to score a signature shoe within their first few seasons. Kobe? That man was hawking kicks on court and in commercials for the Three Stripes since day 1. Donning the adidas EQT Top Ten 2000<\/strong>, adidas EQT Top Ten 2010<\/strong> and adidas EQT Elevation<\/strong> during his rookie campaign, all three shoes would have unofficial attachment to KB8, with a shoe of said nickname coming during his sophomore season.<\/p>\n

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adidas KB8<\/h2>\n

After an unfortunate exit in Utah to cap off his rookie run, Kobe didn’t get sad, he got better. Elevating his game, name, numbers and playing time, Kobe Bryant became a household name in his second season and a signature star just the same. Wearing the adidas KB8<\/strong> — known as the ‘Crazy 8’ in retro life — the teenager saw a shoe of his namesake get PE placement in the All-Star game and team takes on the college scene.<\/p>\n

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adidas KB8 II<\/h2>\n

Launching during a lockout season, the adidas KB8 II<\/strong> carried over the EQT tooling of previous models worn by the young sensation, evolving with a hologram-esque upper while taking well to his team tones. The short season kept an All-Star Game from happening, but didn’t keep Kobe fans from remembering his second sig.<\/p>\n

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adidas EQT Responsive<\/h2>\n

In many ways the adidas KB8 III, the adidas EQT Responsive<\/strong> continued the run of Feet You Wear technology on Kobe’s kicks. Seldom seen on court, this wavy sneaker appeared sleek and simple thanks to quiet color blocking. Though not a strong retro catalyst, this shoe still strikes a cord with Kobe fans from way back.<\/p>\n

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adidas Forum 2000<\/h2>\n

Even 15 years ago, anniversary sneakers were a big thing with performance pushing heritage updates being an occasional move for big sportswear companies. The adidas Forum 2000<\/strong> was exactly that — an homage to the Forum turning 15 made modern for the changing times. It also marked a continued departure for signature shoes for Kobe. That would soon change.<\/p>\n

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adidas The Kobe<\/h2>\n

After a brief break from signature stardom, it would appear Kobe Bryant liked the first signature shoe truly of his namesake, the adidas The Kobe<\/strong>, a lot. Aside from wearing it during its debut year and on the way to his first championship ring, Kobe would bring back the model for the following two postseason runs. Colorways were strong on The Kobe, with “Sunshine,” “Ice Blue” and “Mesh” makeups adding intrigue to the futuristic footwear choice of the ‘fro sporting phenom.<\/p>\n

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adidas The Kobe II<\/h2>\n

Polarizing in design, panned by many, the adidas The Kobe II<\/strong> certainly wasn’t for everybody. Nevertheless, it was one of the most modern (perhaps too modern) designs from the adidas Kobe line. Low and boxy, this spaceship of a sneaker looked like nothing on the market at the time, pushing the envelope on just how odd a signature sneaker could look. Kobe wore what would be his last signature shoe with adidas on court in team takes and most famously the “USA” PE which was also worn in high school by a young LeBron James. As stated, these were a bit ahead of their time when they dropped, but could make for an ill retro (word to Gabe from Uzi who still rocks the OGs on the regular.)<\/p>\n