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The latest signature shoe in the Nike Kobe Bryant line was ideally unveiled at The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) earlier today in Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant’s ninth signature shoe, the Kobe 9, is Nike’s first basketball sneaker to incorporate the lightweight, woven Flyknit upper, which features targeted flexibility, support and a sock-like fit. “The shoe (Nike Kobe 9) really moves with you, which speaks to the genius of Flyknit,” said Kobe Bryant, who was on hand, along with Chief Executive Officer of Nike Mark Parker and Nike Kobe 9 Designer Eric Avar. “I practiced in it today, and I was most impressed with its responsiveness.”
At the event before a table of deconstructed Kobe 9 samples, sketches and sockliners, Parker discussed the evolution of Nike athletes over the years, explained the progression of Nike Basketball performance and detailed working with Kobe – repeatedly referring to him as one of the most challenging athletes Nike has ever worked with. “Kobe is just as demanding when working with us as he is on the court with his teammates,” Parker stated. “He really challenges us.”
Details about the actual design were particularized when Avar arrived. The man who has worked with Kobe on each of his Nike signatures reiterated Parker’s statement of Kobe consistently challenging them and spoke on what Kobe specifically wanted in his shoe. “I consider myself a competitive person, so it’s always fun working with Kobe,” said Avar. “In this particular shoe, Kobe wanted a high top shoe that plays like a low top.”
Multiple models of the Nike Kobe 9 ($225) were on hand to view in addition to the coveted Prelude Kobe series, which kicks off this Saturday, December 1 ($200) with a new colorway of the Nike Kobe I. Look for the Nike Kobe 9 Elite “Masterpiece” to hit retailers on February 8.
View detailed photos of the Kobe 9 event and the Prelude series below.
