Nike celebrates the holiday season with the eagerly awaited re-launch of the Kobe 6 Reverse Grinch. This unique Kobe 6 Protro edition revisits a coveted 2010 colorway, presenting it in a fresh, inverted style.
The snake pattern is no coincidence, it was inspired by Kobe Bryant’s moniker “Black Mamba“. Within the design the snake pattern sits atop the Bright Crimson upper, which is sleek and scaly. Electric Green highlights are also featured on the upper just amping up the sci-fi sentiment of the overall design. The sole of the sneaker is equipped with a Zoom Air unit that is flexible and features integration of foam formula that is responsive to pressure. With Kobe 6 Reverse Grinch release the traction pattern has been scaled down. Today with the latest release the sneaker is lighter than it was ever before.
Kobe 6 Grinch Stole Christmas
The name was never an intentional concept, neither by Kobe or Nike. Due to the fact that the shoe had two-toned green scales, it was initially referred to as the “Green Mamba,” and both the name and the design were a play on Bryant’s nickname. On the tongue of the shoe was a crimson logo that gave it a Christmas-like appearance. People gave the shoe the nickname “The Grinch” because of the unique shade of green it was, as well as the holiday combination that it featured.
A lost game might also be the inspiration for the name, but so was Christmas day. Bryant wore the Grinch shoes first for when the Miami Heat Big 3 formed including LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, they played the defending NBA champion Lakers at Staples Centre on Christmas Day, 2010. The Heat wore road red uniforms, the Lakers wore white, and Bryant and other Lakers wore green trainers. The colours on the court were all in the holiday mood.
In spite of the fact that the shoes made their appearance at the game, Bryant and the Lakers had a disappointing afternoon. The Heat beat them 96–80 and only gave Kobe 17 points. Not only were the Heat happy when they left Staples Centre, but also fans who watched the game from the courtside seats got a gift bag with the now-iconic shoes in it, quickly naming them Kobe 6 Grinch.
The Kobe and Nike History
Since the beginning of their partnership, Kobe and Nike have collaborated on a number of innovative trainers and emotional advertising campaigns. Those who worked with the late Lakers great at Nike frequently referred to him as being more connected than any other athlete to the actual process of developing and designing his trainers. The finished product, which caught the complete spectrum of Kobe, from his enormous feats on the basketball court to his passions outside it, was a clear indication of the passion that was present. Kobe Bryant’s posthumous shoe output has turned into a true homage for the fans eagerly awaiting re-releases and backing each and every one of them.
Kobe Bryant was probably the heir apparent to Michael Jordan, who was the initial signature shoe king in professional basketball. Bryant was a vital and influential partnership for Nike, the same way he shifted the power of the Lakers on the court. While Jordan was the one who made trainers cool, Bryant was the one who altered the traditional look of the shoes themselves.
This ultimately resulted in a number of NBA stars adopting an identical lighter and speedier shoe style, which enabled them to more freely manoeuvre around the court. Shortly after Bryant quit Adidas to sign a $40 million, four-year contract with Nike in 2003, he pushed the business to develop a basketball shoe that was as sleek and secure as those used in professional soccer. He created the market for minimalist, low-silhouette footwear with a slight sci-fi sentiment. The style still dominates today not only at Nike but across the sports sneakers board. The Reverse Grinches are a true example of how the sneakers industry shifted.
A net worth which Forbes believed to be at least $600 million was achieved by Bryant as a result of his endorsements with Nike and other companies, his income from the NBA, investments, and business operations.
Discover more of the Kobe 6 Reverse Grinch release in our gallery:
