Recapping some of the greatest Kobe 1 Protro colorways to date in celebration of #MambaDay.
Today, April 13, marks the two-year anniversary of Kobe Bryant's last game in the NBA aka "Mamba Day," in which he dropped 60 points on the Utah Jazz in front of a sold out crowd at Staples Center.
In celebration of Mamba Day, Nike will release several Kobe-inspired Nike Basketball sneakers, as well as a new colorway of Kobe's retooled signature shoe, the Nike Kobe 1 "Protro."
In speaking about the Nike Kobe 1 Protro, which is a combination of "Performance" and "Retro," the Black Mamba says,
“Protro is about evolution and improving on things that were,” says Bryant. “I wanted to build a business that wasn’t just based on things I have done in the past. It is important that the brand stands for performance and that everything we do is innovative, even if we are releasing shoes from the past they still must be built on performance.”
The kicks carry the same aesthetic as the original Zoom Kobe 1 from 2005 except they've been upgraded with 2018 technology, in addition to full-length Zoom Air. The Kobe 1 "Protro" hasn't released in many colorways thus far but the kicks have already surfaced on the feet of multiple Nike Basketball stars in a variety of different colorways.
In honor of Mamba Day we'll take a look back at 8 of the greatest Nike Kobe 1 Protros to date, starting off with the black and gold "Mamba Day" rendition that launches today.
Mamba Day
Mamba Day: Top-8 Nike Kobe 1 Protro Colorways
The special edition "Mamba Day" Kobe 1 Protro drops today at select Nike retailers for $175.
The kicks feature the date (4/13) printed on the right heel as well as custom insoles. Additionally, the "Mamba Day" Kobe 1 Protro includes “XX” on the lace fixtures, as a nod to Kobe Bryant's 20 years with the Los Angeles Lakers.
One of the newest Kobe 1 Protro colorways to surface is this yellow joint made for Los Angeles Lakers point guard Isaiah Thomas.
Nike has not announced any plans to release this special edition pair, which includes IT's #3 near the heel, but some other Protro PEs have already released in limited quantities so it's certainly not out the question.
Undefeated collaborated with Nike on a handful of different Kobe 1 Protros around the NBA All-Star break in February, which included this white and gum rendition that is among the cleanest colorways to release thus far.
The limited edition kicks feature Undefeated's five-strikes logo emblazoned on the heels and tongues, while Kobe’s jersey numbers, 8 & 24, are positioned on the opposite sides. Select sizes are available at spots like Flight Club, but they'll cost you upwards of $600.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker is one of the few Nike Basketball athletes that got their own Kobe 1 Protro PE this season.
This special edition Suns colorway actually released shortly after Booker wore them on the court, though they were only available at House of Hoops Harlem, Hollywood + Highland, and Fashion Square in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The Los Angeles Lakers inspired "Final Seconds" Nike Kobe 1 Protro is slated to release this Saturday, April 14, as part of Nike's "Champions Think 16" Collection.
The commemorative shoes, retailing for $175, are inspired by Kobe's heroics in Game 4 against the Phoenix Suns during their 2006 playoff series. After forcing overtime with an acrobatic layup, Kobe finished off the Suns in OT with a buzzer-beating jumper at the elbow to give the Lakers a win and a 3-1 series lead.
The Suns went on to win three straight after that game, but that's not going to stop Nike from releasing these special edition kicks.
DeMar DeRozan has become the on-court face of the Kobe Bryant sneaker line since Kobe's retirement, so it should come as no surprise that Nike hooked him up with one of the best Kobe 1 Protro PEs to date. The all-red kicks feature DeRozan's #10 near the heal and “RAPTORS” on the lace loop on the tongue.
The limited edition Kobe 1 Protros released earlier this month exclusively at Foot Locker House Of Hoops locations in Harlem, Hollywood + Highland, and Yonge Street in Toronto.
In addition to the white/gum Undefeated x Nike Kobe 1 Protro, Undefeated also dropped this camo colorway during the NBA's All-Star Weekend in February. Of course, this pair was a limited release as well, but the shoes can still be found in select sizes at spots like Flight Club.
<b>Sports & Sneakers Writer</b>
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New York born and raised. Long-suffering Knicks, Mets & Jets fan who fell in love with sneakers when Allen Iverson laced up the 11s at Georgetown. Commissioner of one of the premier fantasy football leagues in the USA.
