With the question of whether or not he could win without Shaquille O'Neal answered, Kobe Bryant entered the 2009-10 with a single agenda: one-upping his former superstar teammate.
On Bryant's feet for the campaign was the Nike Kobe 5, a performance model crafted by Eric Avar and Matt Nurse. Generally regarded as one of the best Kobe signature sneakers, in terms of both style and performance, the Kobe 5 continued the line's game-changing package of Zoom Air cushioning in a low-top silhouette. In the shoe, Bryant flourished on the big stage, leading the Lakers to their second consecutive NBA championship and, fittingly, his fifth overall.
The Kobe 5 was made available to customize through NIKEiD in Dec. 2009. Additionally, it was one of the first shoes subjected to fan-friendly interactive design contests. Jason Hamilton, a lifelong Lakers fan, famously designed the "Kid Hollywood" colorway, which was worn by Bryant in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Apr. 2010.
Hamilton wasn't the only fan responsible for an eye-catching Kobe 5 iD—read on for a rundown of the 50 best pairs we've spotted via social media.
50. 'Lakers'
49. Blue/Metallic Silver-Red
48. 'Lakers'
47. 'Philippines'
46. Black/Metallic Gold-Purple
45. 'Ruby Red'
44. Black/Orange-White
43. Da Vinci
42. 'Lakers'
41. White/Navy-Metallic Silver-Del Sol
40. 'SVSM'
39. 'Gold'
38. Black/Volt-White
37. 'USA'
36. 'Away'
35. Black/White
34. 'Lakers'
33. 'USA'
32. 'Space Jam'
31. Del Sol/Black-White
30. White/Black-Del Sol
29. 'Lakers'
28. 'Undefeated'
27. Black/White-Del Sol
26. 'San Francisco Giants'
25. Blue/Black-White
24. Black/Volt-White
23. 'Knicks'
22. 'Lakers'
21. Black/White-Purple
20. 'Virginia Tech'
19. 'UNC'
18. 'The Flash'
17. 'Batman'
16. Black/Infrared
15. 'Knicks'
14. 'Lakers'
13. 'Optimus Prime'
12. 'Iron Man'
11. 'Lakers'
10. 'Lakers'
9. 'Bred'
8. Purple/Black-White
7. Orange/Black
6. 'Lakers'
5. 'Lakers'
4. 'USA'
3. 'Chicago'
2. 'Sprite'
1. 'Lakers'
