Even NBA players are facing a Kobe shoe shortage
Just like us, professional athletes are also facing the inevitable Kobe shoe shortage. Due to the parting of Nike and Kobe Bryant’s estate this past spring, the side effects are hitting sneaker heads and Kobe fans across the world.
Models of all of Kobe’s sneakers, from the 4 to the 5 to the 8, have been chased after by everyone in the basketball shoe community including pro basketball players, fanatics, hype beasts, scalpers—you name it, they’re hunting. The Kobe shoe shortage causes a high rise in value for these shoes, especially in larger sizes over 14. They’re not only becoming harder to get, they’re almost obsolete.
According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, NBA players seem to be hoarding Kobe Bryant’s Nike shoe line due to the roadblock that we are all facing. In his recent report, Oklahoma City Thunder player Josh Giddey came up with several pairs of orange and white Kobe 8 System TBs that were initially sent to Derek Fisher who played for the Thunder back in the 2013-2014 season.
In spite of the Nike Kobe shoe shortage, spending this much money on shoes is a requirement for NBA players. No question, it’s peanuts for a rich athlete compared to the average Jose. At least it makes sense for athletes who utilize the shoes to play competitively, as more than 100 players wore the Kobe 4 Protro in the 2019-20 NBA season. In comparison, the Kobe 5 Protro and Kobe 6 Protro were seen countless times on the floor in the 2020-21 season, possibly hitting over the thousand mark.
In a statement by Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis to ESPN, AD said, “’I’m not going into a store and finding a size 17 Kobe. No way. I mean, Kobes are a lot of guys’ favorite shoes. A lot of people are inspired by him and the shoes feel amazing.”
Even top Nike athletes like DeMar Derozan claims that due to the scarcity of his size, he has been extending the longevity of his Kobe shoes. “I used to play in a pair once or twice and then give my shoes away to fans,” said DeRozan. “I may not be able to do that as much. I’ve always had so many pairs, but I’m looking at them differently now. Guys are asking me for them, but I can’t go through them like I did. If it gets bad, I may have to even go to my secret vault.”
Secret vault? We’re in a Kobe shoe shortage DeMar! No doubt, I’m going to hold onto my two pairs of Kobe AD NXT 360s for a long, long time. Or maybe until someone, like DeMar, hands me ten racks.