words & images_Nick DePaula
He claims to not know what "surly" means, but that surely best describes Kobe Bryant's mood the past week. He's been short in (mandatory) press conferences and focused at all points of the game. He's fully aware how often these opportunities come about. He'll be doing everything in his power to win another title -- this year -- and it would seem as though nothing else matters to him beyond this series. As he and the Lakers take on the Celtics in Boston tonight, you can look for Kobe to be wearing this black-based pair of the Zoom Kobe V, dubbed the "Big Stage" edition.
Just like the home version, quick hits of metallic gold can be found again on the Swoosh and heel, with a detailed graphic pattern subtly covering the entire shoe's synthetic upper. Erick Goto, Nike Basketball Graphic Designer, helps explain the details he created found throughout the shoe. "Much like last year, we decided to focus on Kobe's achievements and stats from the regular season that got him to the playoffs. This year, however, I decided to take a more evocative approach to stylizing the stats and facts. I was inspired by hand-drawn illustrations and old school tattoo lettering.
" You'll see a collection of numbers, details and statistics adorning the upper in tonal fashion. "Each stat pops in and out of the composition, blending in with a black mamba that works it's way from heel to vamp, lateral to medial," continues Goto. "The flow of the illustration is a bit like a tattoo, something that shows history and tells a story about oneself."
Enjoy an extensive look at the away version of the "Big Stage" Zoom Kobe V, in Kobe's size 14, as well as a detail sheet created by Nike Basketball Graphic Designer Erick Goto breaking down each statistic found on the shoe. You can expect these to release later this summer.
Straight from Nike Basketball Graphic Designer Erick Goto himself, a detailed look at the story found along the upper. 
