A Detailed Look At The Nike Kobe “Black Mamba” Pack – Pre Championship Years

John Kim March 22, 2016

This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. The opinions and information provided on this site are original editorial content of Sneaker News.

Kobe Black Mamba

From 2000 to 2002, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers won three straight NBA Championships – all while wearing adidas. The Nike era of Kobe’s shoe career began in 2003 and the individual and team success didn’t quite follow; despite being a perennial contender, the Lakers were a shell of their former near-dynasty self, and Kobe shouldered some of the blame – even if he was getting better and better every year. It wasn’t until 2006 that Nike issued the Black Mamba his first signature shoe; those three models at the time weren’t quite the widespread hits (despite the 1 and 2 getting the most love from the Prelude Pack), but it set the table for Eric Avar to step in and usher in the low-top Kobe era that we all have come to love today. While Bryant didn’t win any rings during the span of the first three signature shoes, there was the of course the 81 point game, his first MVP trophy, and his first trip to the NBA Finals since 2004. Over the course of the next week, Nike will release the Kobe 1, 2, and 3 from the Black Mamba Collection, so enjoy a detailed look here and stay tuned for the official release of the Kobe 1 tomorrow.

Nike Kobe 1 Ftb 4