Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant returns to the ring, err to the court, and along with him comes his latest Nike shoe, the Kobe 9 Elite, which was partly inspired by Filipino boxing champ and fellow Nike endorser, Manny Pacquiao.
Kobe Bryant revealed his latest signature shoe on Wednesday, December 6, 2013 in an event held at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in downtown Los Angeles. During the press conference, Lakes superstar narrates how the concept of the Kobe 9 Elite came to mind.
The back of Kobe 9 Elite has sutures that match Kobe Bryant's Achilles surgery.
“The idea, first going to a low-cut shoe, football had a great influence in my life, looking at how they move, and same thing happened here," Bryant said.
“I was with Pacquiao watching him train and prepare for a fight and I’m looking down, looking at his boxing boots, I’m saying ‘Man, I wonder if there’s something there?’ The timing, everything just kind of matched up.”
The Kobe 9 Elite will be available globally in February 8, 2014 for $225 although there were reports about low-cut versions priced at $150 to $180.
Photo source: ESPN & Bleacher Report
