Sneaker Watch: Not Enough POP For Kobe And The Lakers

The Lakers are in danger of being swept and Derrick Rose explodes for a career-high in Atlanta.

Sneaker Watch: Not Enough POP For Kobe and the Lakers

words // Brandon Richard

Even the biggest skeptic of the Los Angeles Lakers couldn't have seen this one coming. Entering the 4th quarter with a lead and a chance to get back into the series, it was the defending champions who buckled down the stretch, surrendering Game 3 to the Dallas Mavericks and digging themselves into a 0-3 hole. Once again, the struggles of Lakers forward Pau Gasol were evident, and the team's inability to find an answer for Dirk Nowitzki remained a different maker. The two teams will resume their series on Sunday, where the Mavericks will attempt to sweep the champs and move on to their first Western Conference Final since 2006.

In other action, Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose returned to MVP form, dropping a career-high (playoffs and regular season) 44 points against the Atlanta Hawks to help Chicago regain homecourt advantage with a decisive 99-82 win. The rest of Chicago's starters combined for just 21 points, but were effective defending, hustling and rebounding. Game 4 of that series will also be played on Sunday.

Let's take a look at some of the footwear that hit the court Friday night, including the debut of Kobe's 'Tour Yellow' Zoom Kobe VI POP.

Derek Fisher wearing the adidas adiZero Crazy Light

Derek Fisher takes the court in the adidas adiZero Crazy Light.

Kobe Bryant wearing the Nike Zoom Kobe VI POP

Kobe Bryant debuts the "Tour Yellow" Nike Zoom Kobe VI.

Kobe Bryant wearing the Nike Zoom Kobe VI POP; JJ Barea wearing the Converse Star Player EVO Low

Another look at Kobe is the Tours; JJ Barea defends in the Converse Star Player EVO Ox.

Andrew Bynum wearing the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse

Andrew Bynum shows off some of that Kareem teaching in the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse.

DeShawn Stevenson wearing the adidas adiPure Low

DeShawn Stevenson celebrates a three in the adidas adiPure Low.

Jason Terry wearing the Reebok Zig Slash

Jason Terry works the crowd in his Reebok Zig Slash PE.

Lamar Odom wearing Nike Hyperfuse 2011; Shawn Marion wearing Nike Air Max Fly By

Lamar Odom drives in a PE colorway of the Nike Hyperfuse 2011; Shawn Marion defends in his Nike Air Max Fly By PE.

Lamar Odom wearing the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse 2011

Another look at Odom's Hyperfuse 2011 PE.

Peja Stojakovic wearing the Nike Zoom Kobe VI; Matt Barnes wearing adidas adiZero Crazy Light

Peja Stojakovic puts the ball on the floor in the Nike Zoom Kobe VI; Matt Barnes defends in the adidas adiZero Crazy Light.

Pau Gasol wearing the Nike Hyperdunk 2010

Pau Gasol drives in the Nike Hyperdunk 2010.

Jason Kidd wearing PEAK Kidd 3

Jason Kidd finds an open Dirk in the PEAK Kidd 3.

Dirk Nowitzki wearing the Nike Hyperdunk 2010

Dirk Nowitzki says "That's 3-0, folks" in his Nike Hyperdunk 2010 PE.

Joakim Noah wearing Le Coq Sportif Joakim Pro Model

Joakim Noah greets former Florida teammate Al Horford in his Le Coq Sportif Pro Model.

Derrick Rose wearing the adidas adiZero Rose 1.5

Derrick Rose runs the show in the adidas adiZero Rose 1.5.

Josh Smith wearing adidas Pro Model 2010

Josh Smith dunks in the adidas Pro Model 2010.

Al Horford wearing the Nike Air Max Fly By

Al Horford dunks in the Nike Air Max Fly By.

CJ Watson wearing the Nike Zoom KD III

CJ Watson drives in the Nike Zoom KD III.

Joe Johnson wearing the Jordan Prime 5

Joe Johnson shoots in the Jordan Prime 5.

Josh Powell wearing the Nike Zoom Kobe VI iD

Josh Powell wears another iD colorway of the Nike Zoom Kobe VI.

Luol Deng wearing the Nike Air Max Fly By

Luol Deng shoots in his Nike Air Max Fly By PE.

Derrick Rose wearing the adidas adiZero Rose 1.5

D-Rose all smiles on his career night.

images via ESPN