Today, Kobe stands at the fork of the road to the king, and continues to write legends in the case that many stars are displaced at the end of their careers. No one knows, except Kobe.
Compared with the great achievements made on the court, Kobe's performance in the endorsement of sneakers is also brilliant. If Jordan created a unique AJ culture, then Kobe has two flowers, one for each. No star in history can span two international brands like Kobe, and have several generations of signature shoes while maintaining good sales and influence. The theme of this issue is to review Kobe's road to the king of sneakers. (Only Kobe's signature shoes are listed below)
Adi period
In the 97-98 season, Kobe wore Adi's first pair of signature shoes EQT KB8 I most of the time, and Kobe proved himself worthy of such treatment with an average score of 15.4. Shoes basically continue the concept and style of Tianzu. In order to improve the stability of the sole, EQT KB8 added TORSION SYSTEM to the midsole for the first time. Therefore, it is not surprising that KB8 I with excellent performance was renamed as Crazy 8 and 1 1 respectively in 2006.
EQT KB8 II introduced in the shrinking season of 1998-99 is obviously smoother and more praised than I generation, but it has not been re-lettered. In fact, the design of EQT KOBE8 II is very novel and practical. On the smooth vamp, the addition of mesh material improves the air permeability. AdiPRNE+ was added to the forefoot on the basis of I generation, which changed the disadvantage that Tianzu shoes had no cushioning before.
The biggest improvement of EQT KB8 II is that the insole adopts adiLux, which makes the connection of the soft outsole of Tianzu less abrupt and more practical. Coupled with the continuous use of the torsion system, the Tianzu at this time can be said to be very mature, with good stability and foot feeling. It has also achieved great success in sales.
In the 99-00 season, Kobe added a pair of signature shoes, EQT KB8 III. As the last pair of basketball shoes of Kobe Bryant in Adi's period, KB8III retains the basic configuration of the second generation: adiPRENE+, 3D torsion system, 3D anti-torsion system ... without pulling down. The overall shape is relatively more domineering, and the inner boot design is added for the first time.
It stands to reason that it should be very popular with such excellent design and function.
Contrary to expectations, after wearing KB8 III for a short time, Kobe put on a pair of amazing retro shoes EQT Top Ten SUPREME. Because Adi's Tianzu technical contract expired at that time, Kobe had to give up EQT KB8 III. Nevertheless, EQT KB8 III still achieved good sales by virtue of advertising and Kobe's super popularity, even surpassing Michael Jordan at that time.
In the post-99-00 playoff game, Kobe put on the most controversial pair of signature shoes in his career-Kobe shoes. Giving up Tianzu, Kobe learned from TT's modeling design, and Adi created this pair of exaggerated and poor performance Kobe for Kobe. In addition to the shell head and new fabrics, the shoes themselves have added the full palm adiPRENE+ and torsion system. It is this pair of Kobe's boots that became Kobe's first pair of championship boots and the only pair in history that won three championships.
00-0 1 season, I accompanied Kobe for a whole season. He averaged 28.5 points per game, was selected into the All-Star starting lineup for the third year in a row, and beat the 76ers led by Iverson to win the championship for the second time at the peak of the finals. These add up to enough for Kobe to reach the top, so it is not surprising that many people like Kobe so much.
0 1-02 season, the second generation of Kobe arrived as scheduled, but no one expected that Adi and Audi not only did not improve the poor air permeability of the first generation of Kobe, but strengthened the design of the second generation completely according to the shape of the sports car. Poor heat dissipation and exaggerated modeling won the title of "bread" for Kobe II, and its reputation can be imagined. As a result, Kobe changed back to that Kobe, and the 23-year-old Kobe stood on the stage of the finals for the third time, still the same Kobe.
Kobe's behavior aggravated Adi's dissatisfaction. In the end, the two sides broke up in discord. Kobe didn't save face for his old club: he thought the design of sneakers lacked personal style and didn't get enough respect there. Adi is also not implicit, and put forward the well-known "overlord clause" of "not signing with any brand within one year" in the termination of the contract.
At this point, the fate of Kobe and Adi ended in an incomplete period. 3 pairs of masterpieces and 5 pairs of signature shoes, accompanied by Adi, Kobe gradually matured and won a generation of dynasties in three consecutive championships. Adi once saw the hope of a beautiful comeback in this hot-blooded young man. However, with the appearance, maturity and disappearance of the concept of Tianzu, Adi failed to grasp the lifeblood of Kobe Bryant. Instead, he gave up his single-handed support, and Adi fell into silence for several years in basketball product design, and finally failed to surpass Nike to become the first.
Imagine, if Adi hadn't let Kobe go and stood up against Nike, at least that Kobe would have been 14?
In the 2002-03 season, Kobe left Adi for 82 full-time games, averaging 30 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists, all of which were career highs. He scored 40+ in nine consecutive games and reached the finals again, which became the peak performance of the OK period. The shoes under Kobe's feet are also very eye-catching. From Nike to Reebok to the appearance of CONS and 1, the styles and colors of many shoes have become a topic of common interest. After that, except for a few games and 1, mainly Nike, Kobe's next sneaker endorsement was basically finalized.
Nike period
Look at the picture.
After wearing shoes for a whole year, in June 2003, Kobe and Nike signed a huge endorsement contract of 45 million US dollars for five years. In order to hit the championship again, the Lakers signed gary payton and karl malone. Just when everyone thought that Kobe was going to create a new peak, a series of lawsuits before the season kept Kobe busy and missed some games. The haze still hangs over Kobe's feet. Without signature shoes, Kobe has to keep wearing shoes. AIR JORDAN 8, AIR JORDAN 12, AIR FLIGHT HUARACHE, ZOOM FLIGHT 2K3 spent most of the season with Kobe Bryant.
Finally, Kobe ushered in his first pair of signature shoes-Zoom Huarache2k4. However, 2K4, which should have belonged to Kobe's first pair of signature shoes, had to be handed over to a group of Nike signing players because of Kobe's lawsuit.
Go on, before the 2004-05 season, Nike introduced the extension of ——2K5 and 2K4 to ease the transition period. Like 2K4, Kobe Bryant is still the main spokesperson, and together with other signing players, he has formed a strong spokesperson army. 2K5 not only continues the design style of HUARACHE, but also incorporates the concept of FREE. From this point of view, it is quite sincere, although it is generally believed that the performance cannot exceed 2K4. Kobe's samurai shield LOGO was exposed and used from these shoes, which is quite memorable. However, with O 'Neal's departure, Kobe's Lakers failed to enter the playoffs, which may be the reason why 2K5 is not as good as 2K4.
2005-06 was the craziest season of Kobe Bryant's career, averaging 35.4 points and winning the scoring title. In June, he averaged 43.3 points at 5,438+10, and in June, 5,438+10 at 8 1 22, becoming the second highest score in NBA history. It is Kobe's first pair of signature shoes in NIKE-Zoom Kobe 1. Enlarge the front and rear palms, midsole carbon plate, hollow ankle, and 2K4 has a self-evident influence on this pair. Kobe's personal performance masks some defects of the sneakers themselves, such as poor air permeability. Various versions of ZOOM KOBE 1 earned Kobe's first pair of Nike signature shoes. Among them, the global price of 8 1 USD and 8 1 pair of 8 1 limited edition is of course the best collection.
Lao Tzu said, life two, life three, life three. I don't know if it's Kobe's request or Nike's desire to earn back the endorsement fee for the first two years. In the 2006-07 season, Nike launched three pairs of signature shoes for Kobe, although they were all called ZOOM KOBE 2.
Ultimate edition: single hook and loop has a large area of pores, the most balanced performance and the most popular with Kobe.
Power Edition: Double shackle design, designed to enhance protection.
LITE simplified version: canceling the hook and loop and adopting simple lines and materials doesn't seem to impress Kobe.
To sum up the three versions of ZOOM KOBE 2, it is not the first time that it has not changed its face. Different versions try to cover all positions on the field. On the one hand, Nike may want to increase sales, on the other hand, it wants to improve Kobe's position in this way.
As we all know, this kind of ZOOM KOBE 2 has neither courted Kobe nor become a classic. In the 2007-08 season, Kobe put on his third pair of signature shoes-Zoom Kobe 3. Different from the signature shoes of the previous two generations, the mesh of the third generation TPU shoe rack is very impressive. Moreover, the mesh visual effect of the whole upper has been extended to the midsole and outsole. The unique practical design style and the application of technology make ZK3' s comments present two completely different evaluations. In addition, the color matching is not rich, and there are not many collections of ZK3.
Back in the NBA, Kobe is in no hurry to show off the latest signature shoes. Careful people find that Kobe's shoes look like HYPERDUNK instead of HYPERDUNK. Finally, when Kobe appeared in front of people with ZOOM KOBE 4, the mystery was revealed. The previous pair was just a mixed beta version of HYPERDUNK and ZK4. The reason is that the help surface of ZK4 is too low.
In order to adapt to the new soles, Nike transplanted HYPERDUNK's layout to become this pair of hybrids.
The appearance of ZOOM KOBE 4 broke everyone's understanding of basketball shoes at that time. There are two reasons-the lightest and ultra-low gang in history. Lightly, ZK4 uses FLYWIRE in a large area and LUNARLITE foam in the midsole, which is 30% lighter than PHYLON. Coupled with the design of low-cut inner boots, ZK4 was the lightest in Nike's history at that time.
The ultra-low top design is related to Kobe's constant pursuit of lightness and speed, which attracted many NBA players to wear and also caused a series of changes in sneakers. Of course, the success and classic of a pair of sneakers lies not only in sneakers, but more importantly, the performance of players on the court.
In the 2008-09 season, Kobe led the Zijin luxury warship to win the NBA championship, and Kobe was elected as the MVP of the finals, which filled the colorful and meaningful ZK4 with the color of championship boots. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that ZK4 is the most remarkable Shuang Yi point in ZK series.
In the 2009- 10 season, Kobe, who was determined to defend his title, appeared in the Christmas war against James with his most mysterious fifth-generation signature shoes. This time, the lightest and lowest help is regarded as the biggest selling point of this pair of shoes. After four generations, it seems to have surpassed four generations. The combination of flying line technology and ONE PIECE upper is lighter. Before and after the reunification, the configuration of ZOOM AIR has more obvious cushioning feedback, and the ECG lines of the soles have added a bit of mystery. More importantly, ZK5 is a pair of champion boots. Among many color schemes, Bruce Lee and Chaos Joker should be more popular.
Anyone who knows a little about Kobe knows Kobe's love for mambas. Even, in many cases, Kobe compared himself to the swift and vicious Mamba. This concept was put forward again on ZOOM KOBE 6 and enlarged for use. ZK6' s polyurethane concave-convex net is very similar to mamba's snake scales, and its configuration and performance are basically the same as those of the previous two generations.
The real breakthrough of the whole series is ZOOM KOBE 7, which was rumored to have several versions like ZK2 before it went on the market.
In fact, when it was published, it was discovered that mamba snake, great white shark and jaguar were just the inspiration of ZK7 color matching. The real breakthrough is that ZK7 adopts dual systems.
The quick attack system adopts the conventional low-top design, and cooperates with the midsole module composed of PYHLON midsole and front and rear palm ZOOM AIR. As can be seen from the naming, this version emphasizes speed more.
The attack strength system adopts ankle protection similar to boots, with a cushioning foam midsole, and protection is the focus of the strong system.
In addition, in order to expand the influence of playoff shoes, Nike launched three pairs of elite playoff shoes, including Kobe's ZK7. Slightly improved the use of polyurethane on the shoe surface, and expanded the use area of carbon fiber. Numerous color schemes, gimmicks with dual systems and Olympic champion's combat boots are constantly improving, and ZK series has reached a new peak.
12- 13 season, Kobe ushered in Howard, Nash and the Lakers to form the "F4" again. Fate is coming again, the seemingly luxurious lineup is surging, and the contradiction between coaches, management and players is doomed to be an unsuccessful season. Kobe led the Lakers to get playoff tickets in the last few games of the regular season. However, the long-term fatigue campaign and the return to the 25-year-old self-style play made Kobe finally retire and had to undergo surgery.
NIKE KOBE 8 removed the word ZOOM for the first time, because most KOBE 8 only gave the configuration of full palm LUNARLON, and only a few versions had zoom units behind them. From the appearance alone, too many people would rather believe that this is a pair of running shoes or football shoes than a pair of basketball shoes. Although the new engineering mesh is light and breathable, it ignores the fact that Kobe has played 17 season at the age of 35. Stability and protection are not good enough, which may be the biggest regret that Kobe 8 appears at Kobe's feet at this time.
13- 14 season, Nike launched the high-top Kobe 9 elite to change the previous sneakers, but Kobe didn't play much this season. And this season, Kobe still wears all kinds of high-top and low-top sneakers of Kobe 9 elite.
You have everything you want to know.