KOBE! True Hollywood Story
Kobe BryantAnother reason the Zoom Kobe IV should be called, “The Emperor’s New Shoe,” is because as Kobe described it, it feels like “running on pillowcases” and like “you’ve got nothing on.” Let me put this in perspective. The shoe is so thin you can actually see your finger right through it. It’s crazy.
In terms of the sole, Kobe said the inspiration came from the movie Spiderman, when “Bad Spidey” couldn’t take his suit off. “You can’t separate them,” said Bryant. “You’re one with the shoe.” This fits-like-a-glove sneaker is exactly what Kobe was looking for, as he hoped to eliminate the valuable seconds during which his foot would slide as he cut, slashed or changed directions on the court.
Operating under the principle, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” you’d think a guy who’s been selected to every All-NBA Team since 1999 would just keep it moving. But when I asked him why he’d switch to low-tops after last year’s MVP season, Kobe gave the answer that we all knew he would: “You always gotta try to get better.”
Remember, this is the guy that works harder than anyone else in the off-season. A guy who views “taking a day off” as only working out and/or lifting once a day. Kobe put it bluntly: “This shoe will make you jump higher and run faster, but if someone crosses you up, that’s on you.”
Kobe chatting with Kevin FrazierThe questions from the fans around the globe were priceless. On person asked about the influence of Italian style on Kobe’s life, to which Kobe spoke on always looking sharp and presenting himself in a nice way. Kobe made sure to note that he was not a fan of tight shirts or cigarette jeans.
When asked if there was going to be another viral campaign like last year’s jump over an Aston Martin, Kobe said that there was definitely something in the works. What he didn’t let on to though, which I found out about an hour later, was that “something” was being filmed on the playground courts behind the Westchester High School gym. Although I couldn’t manage to sneak on to the set, I did see that Next Friday’s Mike Epps was involved…
Sneaker notes:
*The Zoom Kobe IV will debut on December 19 against the Heat. In regards to reader Jah’s question about what one-on-one matchups Kobe looks forward to the most, he said that he doesn’t really look forward to any matchups anymore. “When I first started in the League I did,” said Kobe. “Now, not so much.”
*The “Carpe Diem” shoe is Kobe’s ode to China and is available January 1. It has snake print on the side inspired by the Black Mamba and commemorates the Chinese Year of the Ox.
*The “Christmas Day” shoe will be worn when Kobe and the Lakers take on the Celtics. They were keeping this severely under wraps but I snuck a few pics.
Parting shots:
Hometown hero Trevor Ariza was in the house as well. His whip was ridiculous.
Check those championship banners and trophies for the Comets. Ariza had his hand in that.
I was also able to kick it with the current and future stars of Westchester High School.
December 12th, 2008 at 12:56 am
knoc says:
nice kicks
December 12th, 2008 at 1:12 am
QuEsT??? says:
it might be light, but if u can see ur own toes then there must not be a lot protection.
December 12th, 2008 at 1:29 am
rlf says:
nice job, thanks for the info, very well made and reported.
December 12th, 2008 at 1:42 am
jay says:
ok so the carpe diem is the china limited and than limited in the us later in jan…i really want to know what the venoms are…hope it is all black/purple swoosh like the zkii colorway…that is a must cop. the xmas day shoe is nice but i do not think i could rock a mostly all yellow shoe! chaos sounds interesting…could that be the mpls colorway?????
December 12th, 2008 at 3:08 am
BRUCE says:
The shoe is light. However, you can wear Jordans for any occasion. Take note, Kobe handlers!
December 12th, 2008 at 4:52 am
Haqq says:
Its not the shoes that makes a player, I’ll cross cats rocking my CHUCKS.
NUFFSAID’
December 12th, 2008 at 5:35 am
Kudabeen says:
I don’t like the style of the shoe and I’ve been rockin Adidas lately, but the thought that goes into the design has my interest. May have to grab a pair to see if it helps…
Nice Review Aron…Good Stuff.
December 12th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Sweet English says:
YES I AM COPPING THESE, THEY ARE TIGHT!!!
I have been throwing up whether or not to purchase a pair of Hyperdunks because i’m quite a small point guard and feel as though the Hyper Dunks EXTRA high support would be wasted on me. These mutherpluggers are the ish though i am DEFINATELY all over these.
THANK.
YOU.
NIKE.
December 12th, 2008 at 6:19 am
Sweet English says:
http://www.freshnessmag.com/v4/2008/12/11/nike-zoom-kobe-iv-id/
AAAAGGGHHHH The red and black joints are hot!!!!!
YOU CAN NIKE I.D THESE SHOES FOR 6 DAYS ONLY FROM CHRISTMAS TO NEW YEARS. ONLY 24 PAIRS A DAY. GET ON THAT CGF I WANT TO SEE A TIGHT COLORWAY!!!!
December 12th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Kobeef says:
Great job AP and Dime.
This is the only place on the web I have seen coverage of the ZK4 launch. I didn’t like the shoe before but that Christmas Day version is hot.
The more I read about the shore the more I understand that this is a great fit for Kobe. Low tops seem odd but Kobe is all about being ahead of the curve - and that’s what he is doing here.
December 12th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Kobeef says:
Here’s the ZK4 All-Star game edition
http://www.sneakerfiles.com/2008/12/12/nike-zoom-kobe-4-iv-2009-nba-all-star-game/
December 12th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Aron says:
Thanks Kobeef.
We got a pair of those in the office the other day. Was gonna post em up soon. You already know.
December 12th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Kermit the Washington says:
“as he hoped to eliminate the valuable seconds during which his foot would slide as he cut, slashed or changed directions on the court.”
I don’t know, man…something about that sounds dangerous. I know they put mad thought and science into these joints, but still…I feel like if you mess with the physics of basketball moves, and you start trying to trim off the actual time it takes to make those moves, something tells me bad things might happen. Maybe those “valuable seconds” are what’s keeping you from breaking your ankle off; who knows? I guess we’ll find out, once cats start wearing these in more and more game settings.
December 12th, 2008 at 10:36 am
JCARR says:
Good job…
December 12th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
srb says:
I would wear those whites when I am not playing ball. Just hanging around the mall picking up babes in the food court or sampling the games at Gamestop after I grab some pretzel bites. HAHA sike I usually just get Sbarro.
December 12th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Big Shot BOB says:
LOL @ srb
December 12th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Big Shot BOB says:
Is it true that these are just low top versions of the Hyperdunk and that’s why they’re lighter? If so then I’m getting the hyperdunks just because I like the way hightops look more when I’m ballin.