Nike Bring Lakers Gold to the Kobe 4 Protro Draft Day Pack
Now that’s more like it! After a first look at the ‘Boston Celtics’ colourway from the ‘Draft Day’ Pack, we now have images of the Nike Kobe 4 Protro ‘Lakers’ edition. Nearly the entire silhouette is finished in Lakers gold, with purple hits appearing via the Swoosh and marbled outsole. The rest of the collection is expected to feature white bases with accent colors tying back to each team, but it makes sense that this pair would break away from that formula given the Black Mamba’s connection to LA.
For anyone who doesn’t have elite ball knowledge, the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t actually have a chance to pick Kobe Bryant in the 1996 NBA Draft, and he ended up being selected by the Charlotte Hornets. This choice was revealed to be pre-arranged, as the Hornets ended up trading Bryant to the Lakers in exchange for Vlade Divac.
The entire ‘Draft Day’ Pack is expected to release some time in June, but keep it locked to Sneaker Freaker as we await more details.
Don’t let Los Angeles Lakers fans see these! After watching Kobe Bryant’s historic career across 20 seasons, you’d probably still be kicking yourself to this day for passing on him in the 1996 NBA Draft. Titled the ‘Draft Day’ Pack, Nike are suiting up the Kobe 4 Protro in the colours of all the teams that didn’t pick the Lower Merion High School star, and now we have a look at the ‘Boston Celtics’ edition.
It may be considered a faux pas to make a Kobe sneaker resembling the Lakers’ biggest rivals, but the real mistake is the Celtics deciding that Bryant wasn’t cut out for their team. The team at Beaverton are giving us a look at what could have been, kitting out the upper in an all-white leather with black accents embroidered around the Swoosh and on the sheath logo gracing the tongue. A shamrock shade of green appears on the top eyelet, spare laces, insoles, Kobe’s signature branding, and his numbers ‘8’ and ‘24’ on the heels.
Labels behind each tongue that read ‘1996 Draft’ and ‘13 K. Bryant,’ refer back to the Black Mamba being the No. 13 pick that year. An additional detail on the left insole is a 6 lottery ball graphic, which ties back to Antoine Walker being the No. 6 pick by the Celtics in that same draft.
‘Toronto Raptors’ and ‘Milwaukee Bucks’ versions have been revealed as well, but there’s no official word yet on how many pairs will be part of the pack. It’s safe to assume that the majority of the 12 teams that skipped over Bryant will be adapted onto the silhouette – most notably the Philadelphia 76ers, given his connection to the City of Brotherly Love.
The Nike Kobe 4 Protro ‘Boston Celtics’, and the rest of the ‘Draft Day’ pack, are expected to release some time in Q3 of this year. Keep it locked to Sneaker Freaker for all updates.
Want to see what teams are getting more sentimental tributes on Kobe’s signature line? Check out the upcoming Kobe 5 Protro ‘Dodgers’ – honouring Bryant’s last time visiting the Dodger Stadium.
