Lakers News

Report: Nike planning to relaunch Kobe brand ahead of Mamba Day

Published by
Peter Dewey

Nike reportedly is planning to relaunch its Kobe Bryant brand ahead of Mamba Day (Aug. 24) of this year.

Bryant, a Los Angeles Lakers legend, tragically passed away in a helicopter accident in January of 2020. One of the greatest players in Lakers and NBA history, Bryant’s legacy will continue to live on through his Nike brand.

During his playing career, Bryant had several signature shoes, and they were – and still are – worn by players across the league.

Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan explained back in 2020 what makes Bryant’s shoes so special, and why they are a favorite to wear.

“It’s going to be up there with Jordan when it comes to the [Michael] Jordan line,” DeRozan said. “The Kobe line is going to be the next line that you definitely got to talk about. His legacy to how he changed the game of footwear, just like Jordan did before, taking his shoe game to a whole different level.”

Bryant actually began his NBA career as an Adidas athlete, but he signed with Nike in 2003. His first signature Nike shoe – the Zoom Kobe 1 – was crafted in 2005, and he had signature shoes made throughout his playing career and into his retirement.

During his playing career, Bryant averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 44.7 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from beyond the arc. He will forever be one of the most important figures in Lakers history, as he led the team to tremendous success during his career.

Over his storied NBA career, Bryant was named to 18 All-Star teams and won two scoring titles. 

Los Angeles won five NBA titles under Bryant’s guidance, and he won two NBA Finals MVPs in the process. Bryant was a part of one of the greatest duos in NBA history with Shaquille O’Neal, and he found success after O’Neal left the Lakers by teaming up with Pau Gasol in Los Angeles.

The Lakers have retired all the numbers won by all three players for their great success with the franchise.

It will be interesting to see what Nike has come up with for the relaunch of the Kobe brand and how much his family will be involved with the process. Fans now have to wait just less than two months for the relaunch to happen.

Peter Dewey

Peter is a graduate of Quinnipiac University where he covered the MAAC and college basketball for three years. He has worked for NBC Sports, the Connecticut Sun and the Meriden Record-Journal covering basketball and other major sports. Follow him on Twitter @peterdewey2.

Published by
Peter Dewey

Recent Posts

Antoine Walker says LeBron wasn’t actually ‘unguardable’ in pickup game with MJ: ‘That wasn’t the case’

Earlier this year, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James recounted a story about playing in…

March 15, 2025

Dorian Finney-Smith says he noticed JJ Redick was ‘a little off’: ‘All the greats are a little bit off’

Before veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers and began playing…

March 14, 2025

D-Wade says LeBron ‘put some extra heat’ on Bronny by saying he was better than some NBA players

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and ESPN star Stephen A. Smith have been in…

March 14, 2025

Skip Bayless destroys Luka’s impact without LeBron: ‘Most of his points felt like empty calories’

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic had some big numbers on Thursday against the Milwaukee…

March 14, 2025

Shaq says LeBron is trying to set records that will never be broken: ‘I know what he’s doing’

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James set another NBA record recently. In the team's March 4 blowout…

March 13, 2025

Sean Hannity claims he would’ve had Stephen A.’s back during LeBron confrontation: ‘Just saying’

Not long after former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade expressed to TMZ Sports that he…

March 13, 2025