words // Nick DePaula
Fresh off of a three-peat run in Three Stripes, and long before his series of low-cut sneakers took the footwear industry by storm, Kobe laced up a healthy helping of player exclusive sneakers throughout his 2002-2003 NBA season.
While waiting a full year before signing on with a new endorser, as per the terms of his contract split with adidas, Kobe could be seen wearing PEs from Reebok, Fila, AND1, Nike Basketball, Converse and Jordan Brand.
The custom Questions, VIIIs and several others caught our attention that year, but it was the Air Jordan IIIs that he laced up on two separate occasions that probably took the crown during his season-long sneaker free agency.
In one of his most dominant statlines of the year, Kobe dropped 52 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists in a double OT win over the Rockets at home in the custom IIIs, filled with Jordanesque poster dunks and go-ahead jumpers.
Check out Kobe rocking his III PEs in action below, guarded by the one and only Philly Cat.
