A Closer Look at the KOBE 6 PROTRO “GRINCH”
Like many sporting personnel considered the GOATs in basketball, the Black Mamba was iconic. He left an impact that influenced the game on and off the basketball court, down to the sneakers he appeared with during games.
Nike was so quick to jump and strike a deal with Kobe Bryant to create top-notch sneakers that fans will remember this legendary Los Angeles Lakers star for years, even past his retirement.
The legendary sneaker released for Kobe will continue to grow even after other new releases. The new KOBE 6 PROTRO “GRINCH” which was scheduled to come in stores for the Christmas and the Holiday season, is a mythical shoe that Nike uses to honor the memory of the late great phenom ever to grace the game.
History of the KOBE 6 PROTRO “GRINCH”
Initially, the “Grinch” was introduced in 2010 on Christmas day as part of the Nike Basketball Christmas Day Collection. According to The Chronicles, the “Grinch “makeup of the Nike Zoom Kobe 6 has been label as the best and beloved shoes that Kobe ever played in during his dynamic career.
Many sneaker fans considered it the best Christmas sneaker of all time. Kobe busted out with this original scaly shoe during a game between the Los Angeles Lakers versus the Miami Heat, a game which the Lakers won 96-80. All the VIPs who sat courtside during that game were gifted a bag containing this sneaker referred to as “The Gift” by Kobe Bryant.
The shoe began to spark high returns as it became a must-have pair for the sneaker community. In marking the 10th anniversary of this amazing sneaker, Nike has released a new lineup of the KOBE 6 “GRINCH” with a PROTRO program list for sneaker lovers to enjoy improvements in performances.
Kobe’s On Court Prowess
The shoe was already performing better in the market with its total envelopment of lime green. The contributing factor behind this shoe model’s success was the tremendous on-court prowess of Kobe when he graced the basketball court with it. Nike designers have also applied fabulous colorways on the shoe, which has been raved by many sneaker fans worldwide and ballplayers.
The original pieces, which were released in limited edition in 2010, had head-turning colorway and a remarkable backstory that made them a no-brainer pick for anyone looking for any Nike PROTRO series. According to GQ Magazine, over the years, Nike has continued to feature different tweaks to this shoe as much as it was already enjoying excellent performance for fans to get hold of it.
The new KOBE 6 PROTRO “GRINCH”
KOBE 6 PROTRO “GRINCH,” has fabulous unique features. They include the injection of modern performance technology into this signature designer training shoe while maintaining most of its previous striking design elements.
Colorways
Nike has done some incredible work for the colorways to make the shoe colorful with Kobe’s favorite colors. It comes in green apple, volt crimson-black. This colorway is renowned as an inspiration from the green mamba, a colorful take that Kobe Byrant was nicknamed during his playing days.
Design
For the design part of the KOBE 6 PROTRO “GRINCH,” Nike designers have done some fantastic rework to the shoe. At first sight, this PROTRO appears to resemble the design created twelve years ago. Nike has maintained the unique Grinch green punch of colors on the body part.
The improvement done on the sneaker is reshaping to make it sleeker and durable. This trainer shoe features a unique Air Zoom Turbo unit on the forefoot area, which has been improved by giving the shoe a more outstanding cushioning than the original Zoom unit that helps the wearer enjoy responsiveness on the feet during play.
The heel sole of the shoe contains softer and more responsive foam, which, when you wear it, you feel like it’s responding to the ground by giving it energy back to avoid feeling dead under the foot.
The brace is fitted with patent leather added to the silhouette. Nike has also changed the shoe on the underfoot area and down on the midsole by increasing the surface area and changing the traction patterns. According to Input Magazine, the improved surface area is crucial to athletes underfoot area.
This helps improve the ground contact when the wearer takes a sharper cut during play and helps them to change directions at any angle quickly without challenges. The shoe’s upper part is accented with tremendous lateral parts and a Highlighter yellow on the shoelaces.
The designer has also given this great sneaker an excellent heel structure shape and chiseled sole unit. The outer layer is inspired by the snake scale appearance, indulging throughout the shoe. The latest design hasn’t deviated so much from its predecessor. Notable changes include the placement of the Zoom Air unit signature positioning.
Prices
The sleek pair of KOBE 6 PROTRO “GRINCH” is available at various Nike SNKRS outlets, select retailers, and Stock X for $180. You can place an order for your actual foot size if you want an excellent snug fit. It would be best for those with wider feet to go up half a size fit.
Final Verdict
The KOBE 6 PROTRO “GRINCH” inspiration came from a fictional creature, “The Grinch,” renowned for years as part of the widespread cultural practice in the United States. The PROTRO version is in celebration of this shoe’s availability in the market and is symbolic of Kobe’s life.
The new version of KOBE 6 PROTRO “GRINCH” is worth all the money if you want better shoe performance that is sleeker, comes in better shape, and with unique modern features.
The release of this model is a beautiful gesture from Nike to continue to keep these shoes in the market and Kobe Bryant’s legacy among sneaker collectors and fans worldwide. The new revamped PROTRO shoe has been sported in basketball courts with other NBA stars like Ja Morant.
