words // Nick DePaula
As the month continues on and we get closer to the launch of the newest game shoe from Jordan Brand, the brand rolled out yet another model in their #XX8DaysOfFlight campaign -- the Air Jordan VIII.
But rather than cover off on the stories, details and colorways you already know -- Aquas, MJ's first 3-peat title, Bugs Bunny cameos and the like -- lets take a high-res look back at an oft-forgotten player exclusive of the VIII during an era when even official members of Team Jordan weren't getting Retro PEs.
That would be the home Lakers colorway made a decade ago just for Kobe Bryant during the 2002-2003 NBA season. Rocked both strapped up and unstrapped on-court.
He wore the size 14 pair on a few different occasions, but most memorably on March 28th, 2003, when the Washington Wizards and MJ made a visit to the Staples Center. It would be the last time that Kobe and Michael faced off against eachother.
What'd Kobe do in Mike's shoes?
Dropped a double nickle in the win. 55 points. 5 rebounds. 9 of 13 shooting from distance.
Not bad, and MJ couldn't help but smile when the final buzzer sounded, the figurative torch having been passed along.
