Kobe Still Runs the NBA

Kobe Bryant has been gone for more than five years. Yet in the 2024-25 NBA season, his shoes weren’t just popular — they dominated.

• Kobe 6 (Nike): 136 players

• Kevin Durant KD4 (Nike): 30 players

• Devin Booker Book 1 (Nike): 28 players

• Sabrina Ionescu Sabrina 1 (Nike): 27 players

• LeBron James LeBron 21 (Nike): 17 players

• James Harden Vol. 8 (Adidas): 15 players

• Kyrie Irving Kyrie 1 (Nike): 13 players

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Zoom Freak 5 (Nike): 11 players

• Donovan Mitchell D.O.N. Issue 6 (Adidas): 10 players

• Kyrie Irving Kai 1 (ANTA): 10 players

That’s not a leaderboard. That’s a landslide.

Nike’s Empire, Kobe’s Crown

Roughly 65% of NBA players wore Nike last season. Factor in Jordan Brand and Converse, and the Swoosh controlled nearly three-quarters of the league.
Even in that empire, one man towers above: Kobe Bryant.

His shoes didn’t just lead — they quadrupled the next closest competitor.

Why Kobe’s Shoes Endure

1. Performance-Engineered: The Kobe line redefined basketball shoes with low-tops built for speed, grip, and agility. Players trust the fit like a second skin.

2. Cultural Resonance: Wearing Kobes is about more than basketball — it’s about stepping onto the court with Mamba Mentality.

3. Timeless Design: From the neon Grinch to the Protro revivals, Kobes balance function with iconic style.

The Deeper Legacy

Every night, 136 NBA players silently honor Kobe by lacing up his shoes.
Not because of nostalgia. Not because of sentiment.
Because his shoes still give them the best chance to win.

That is the highest respect an athlete can earn. Long after the final buzzer, your work is still trusted to perform under pressure.

Blunt Take

Kobe Bryant’s legacy isn’t just in highlight reels or championship banners.
It’s in every crossover, every dunk, every possession where a player pushes limits in his shoes.

Legends don’t fade. Kobe Bryant is still leading the league.
🐍💜💛 Mamba Forever.

Men lie. Women lie. The numbers never do.
136 players laced up Kobes in 2024-25. That’s not memory — that’s dominance.

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