Nike Dropped More Shoes Celebrating Kobe Bryant's Career.

With all the stuff that went down the past weekend, you might have heard of basketball player named Kobe Bryant. You know, the Los Angeles Lakers guard whose career spanned 20 seasons, 5 rings, and 60points in his last NBA game? 

Well, in celebration of Kobe Bryant's visit to Manila this weekend, Nike released a special limited edition Nike Kobe XI Elite Low that commemorates his 20 year career.

Dubbed as the Kobe XI "Great Career Recall," the shoe sports a black dominant upper with gold accents and a gold swoosh. A plain white outsole finishes the shoe on the bottom. 

The Kobe XI Elite Low colorway seen here is exclusive only to the Philippines and China. He debuted it on his first day of the Mamba Mentality Tour today at the Ususan Basketball Court in Taguig City. A limited run is available in Manila, retailing at Php 9895 at Nike Park, BGC. 

Nike Kobe 11 x Mark Parker "Muse Pack"

Kobe Bryant may have played his last game in the NBA a little over a month ago, but the colorways of his latest (and probably last on-court) signature shoe are still hitting shelves. The latest to drop is part of the "Muse Pack" - a mini-collection of Kobe 11s designed by 3 of the biggest personalities in Nike history. This is is designed by Nike CEO Mark Parker and draws inspiration from the animal Kobe likens himself to - The Black Mamba.

Read more after the jump and find out local release details as well.

Where Can You Cop The Nike Kobe Black Mamba Pack

With less than 20 games to go before Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant calls it quits on his storied career, Nike Basketball is pulling out one last hurrah to honor #24. Spanning all of Kobe's signature Nikes as well as the shoes he's been associated with ever since signing with The Swoosh, The Black Mamba Pack will be a must have for any Kobe fan. Act fast, as each shoe in the pack will be extremely limited and will only drop at Titan Two Parkade.

Check the jump for release dates.

Introducing The Nike Kobe 11

With Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant set to retire at the end of the NBA season, Nike has finally introduced what looks to be The Black Mamba's final on-court shoe. Before pictures even broke, there were rumors swirling of Tinker Hatfield leading the design that were ultimately proven to be false. Eric Avar once again takes the reins in coming up with a shoe that puts together all the things he and Kobe have sought to establish throughout Bryant's Nike Signature line.

The launch colorway is called the "Achilles Heel" -  a nod to both the mythical Greek warrior as well as the injury that ended Kobe's season in 2013. Available globally in select Nike Basketball retailers on January 9.


Hit the jump for more photos.

Nike Basketball Christmas Pack

For this year's Christmas-themed pack, the folks at Nike Basketball took inspiration from fire and ice. With the temperatures dropping, the hardcourt action for all 4 Nike Basketball signature athletes is only starting to heat up. Icy blue hues and and warm reds make up the latest batch of holiday kicks to be sported by Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Kyrie Irving. Look for the entire Nike Basketball Christmas pack to hit select local retailers on December 26.

Hit the jump for more pictures and release info.

Nike Basketball "Opening Night" Pack

The first game of every NBA season is important. Aside from the celebrations that come with the return of the NBA, a team's first game usually sets the tone for the season. That's why players have to show up. And they usually do in cool shoes.

The season may have already tipped off, but Nike Basketball decked out their signature athletes in special "Opening Night" colorways for game number 1. Out of the pack, the only silhouette making its way to local stores is the LeBron 13. Check with select Nike Basketball retails such as Titan for availability.

Nike Kobe X "Mambacurial"

Kobe Bryant loves football. And it pops up every now and then in his signature shoe line with Nike. First seen on the Nike Kobe 8, the Nike Kobe X takes design inspiration once again from the Nike Mercurial - a range of football boots ideal for speedy, attack minded players. Hence, the "Mambacurial" nickname. Whether you're down with the beautiful game or not, you gotta admit it's a pretty beautiful shoe. Look for it at Nike Basketball retailers like Titan starting this weekend.

Nike Basketball 2015 All-Star Collection

With this year's NBA All-Star Game going down in New York this weekend, the reality remains that it's only just another thing happening in The City That Never Sleeps. Regarded by many as the greatest city in the world, the architecture, infectious energy and fast pace of NYC serves as the inspiration for Nike Basketball's All-Star collection featuring the LeBron 12, KD 7, Kobe X and Kyrie 1.

Sophisticated Simplicity - Kobe Bryant's Tenth Signature Shoe

When your signature shoe line goes ten shoes deep, that's a huge accomplishment. Kobe Bryant Nike signature line hits the double digit range as the Kobe X will be dropping this weekend. Check out this in-depth feature that breaks The Black Mamba's latest silo down. 

From Nike

Superior functionality is often driven by a less-is-more design philosophy where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.  The KOBE X blends three essential performance elements crafted into a clean, minimalist form.

Nike Kobe X "5AM Flight"

Kobe Bryant's comeback season may have ended prematurely thanks to surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, but that hasn't stopped Nike from unveiling The Black Mamba's latest signature shoe. Going ten shoes deep with a brand is a pretty big deal. But instead of doing things big, Eric Avar and his team cooked up a simple, understated design that deceptively packs some big tech upgrades.

The Kobe X sports a new textile upper inspired by sharkskin. It promises light weight, ventilation as well as more strength and durability than traditional mesh. In terms of cushioning, Zoom Air makes a return to the Kobe line, much to the delight of older Kobe she collectors. This time around, it combines with modified Lunarlon to form a hybrid system that espouses stability, comfort, and enhanced natural motion. And in terms of traction, the translucent outsole features an intricate framework of tiny nodules geared to grip court surfaces at high speeds, much like the tires used by race cars.

Pictured here is the "5AM Flight" colorway which serves as the launch color for the Kobe X. It takes inspiration from Kobe Bryant leaping off a high dive shortly after having a procedure to repair his torn achilles. The jump is symbolic of his drive to face fears and his determination to amaze even with the odds finally stacked against him. Expect many of the succeeding colorways to go that route when it comes to storytelling.

The Kobe X will hit select Nike retailers as well as Nike.com this weekend, Feb 7.

Nike Basketball 2014 Christmas Collection

With the holiday season in full swing, Nike Basketball unveils another festive collection of Christmas-themed footwear for three of the brand's signature athletes. Read on for what Nike has to say regarding the design inspirations for the latest round of holiday shoes Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant will be wearing on their Christmas day games.

A Groundbreaking Moment in Nike Basketball History Will Be Happening

Nike Basketball recently sat down with last year's NBA League MVP Kevin Durant to get his thoughts on wearing signature shoes, his workout ethic, and how it all ties back to the game. The date "12.3.14" flashes towards the end of the clip, followed by an event invitation to catch a Facebook live stream of a major Nike Basketball event happening in New York City.



In line with the buildup to event, Nike Basketball also released a clip of Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant sharing his thoughts on what makes a good signature shoe. A huge Nike Basketball event, videos of the brand's highest-profile ballers talking about signature shoes? Your guess is as good as mine.

RSVP HERE to watch A Nike Basketball Experience unfold. And check out the clip of Kobe Bryant's thoughts after the jump.

Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low "Beethoven"

Shortly after the release of the "Michael Jackson" low-cut Kobe 9 Elites last month, another colorway taking its inspiration from a musical icon is about to make its way to stores. Somehow using Ludwig Van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony as a jump-off point, this Kobe 9 Elite Low weaves white, wolf grey, and black Flyknit together to create a clean upper that sits flush on a speckled and carbon-fiber outfitted midsole. The look is timeless, just like the quality of Beethoven's music. And given the mix of neutral colors, these shoes are primed to look good both on and off the hardwood.

Are you prepping an Ode to Joy dedicated to this forthcoming release? Well you won't have to wait long, as they're slated to hit Titan stores and those of select Nike Basketball retailers tomorrow, August 16th.

Check out more looks after the jump.

Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low "Michael Jackson" & "Beethoven"

Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Kobe Bryant has yet to hit the hardwood in the Kobe 9, but it looks like fans of The Black Mamba will be treated to another version of Kobe Bryant's latest sneaker.

First seen as a super-exclusive HTM release that only dropped at select stores in Italy, the low top Nike Kobe 9 Elites will be returning to retail with a more widespread release. A few design tweaks have been made for the new release, but their form remains pretty close to the HTM drop. Pictured here are the first two offerings that take their inspiration from two different musical icons.

Utilizing a hyper grape Flyknit base complemented by black and silver accents, the Kobe 9 Elite Low "Michael Jackson" pays tribute to the King of Pop. Finishing off the design is a translucent outsole featuring a graphic of the moon's surface so you can bust out a moonwalk wherever you go.

In contrast to the flashy upper of the "Michael Jackson" Elites, the "Beethoven" Kobe 9s feature a more subdued design composed primarily of black and white Flyknit. It's a fitting nod to the legendary composer and the timeless quality of his work.

The "Michael Jackson" Elites are slated to release on July 12th while the "Beethovens" will drop on August 16th at Nike.com and select Nike basketball retailers. No local release info has come down the pipeline as of yet, but given the popularity of the Kobe 9 in the country, it makes great business sense to drop these at local stores. And given how the EM lows are priced at P8495, and the Elite highs are P9995, the pricing should be a nice little middle point between the two other versions.

Check out more pictures of both shoes after the jump.

Nike Kobe 9 EM Premium "Philippines"

It's been argued that the Philippines is a Kobe Bryant country. The Black Mamba always gets love from his Philippine fans whenever he makes a local appearance. And to give back, Nike Basketball is releasing a special colorway inspired by the "Pearl of The Orient".

Nike Basketball Elite Series Gold Collection

For every NBA team that finds themselves in the playoff race, the glory of championship gold is sixteen grueling games away.

Taking inspiration from what every NBA baller chases in the postseason (except for Kobe Bryant of course), Nike Basketball has unveiled the Elite Series Gold Collection - championship worthy footwear designed for Nike Basketball's big three.

Nike Basketball Elite Series Team Collection

The NBA season may slowly be winding down, but for some teams, the real battles loom ahead in the playoffs. With that, Nike Basketball is blessing LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Durant with sneakers geared for the grind of the postseason.

Nike Kobe 9 Lows are on the way

Not my hand. Photos taken from http://bit.ly/1gp2cWX

The Nike Kobe IX Elite is certainly a game changer in terms of basketball sneaker design. Aside from the return to a high-cut design, Kobe's latest signature shoe holds the distinction of being the first basketball sneaker to incorporate Nike's Flyknit technology. While it may be pretty cool to look at, a number of folks have been turned off by the shoe's height.

Will The Nike Kobe 9 Hype Train Slow Down?

The Masterpiece

The amount of hype that led up to the Kobe 9 Elite has been incredible. Leading up to the release of the Kobe 9 Elite was the Kobe Prelude Pack, an amazing collection of shoes that drew inspiration from art and pivotal moments in The Black Mamba's career. And for the most part, it looks like the hype has paid off, with resale values skyrocketing for all shoes in the Prelude Pack, as well as the first two Kobe 9 colorways.

"Maestro/Devotion"

As of today, two styles of the Kobe 9 Elite have hit the Philippines, and both have sold out in stores. The first to drop was the "Masterpiece", a stunning high top that sports a beautiful multicolor tapestry of a upper made out of Nike's Flyknit material. And a few hours ago, the NBA All-Star Game release known as the "Maestro" sold out as well. In terms of sales, things are looking good for the Kobe line, despite Vino not having played a single NBA game in his new shoes. But there's a part of me that keeps thinking that the spike in sales has a lot to do with the insane hype and the limited nature of both releases so far.

From L-R: "Perspective", "Detail", "Inspiration" 

Three new Kobe 9 Elite colorways are slated to drop in March, beginning with the "Inspiration" (3/1), followed shortly by the "Perspective" (3/8), and the "Detail" towards the end of the month (3/22). All three colorways are said to be General Release, which will give people a better chance of picking up pairs and limiting the chances of their resale value to go as high as they've been so far. And as incredible as Nike's efforts have been to send the Kobe 9 hype into overdrive, I do hope it starts to slow down soon. Having to deal with resellers and spending more than you should on a pair of shoes is rarely an ideal scenario because all it means is that your chance to walk in a store for a pair of shoes you like was taken from you.

Awesome Philippine Sneaker Groups to Join on Facebook.

A big part of my daily Facebook routine involves checking out what's new on a number of sneaker groups, both local and international. Though the main point of most groups is the whole buying and selling aspect of the game, I try to keep a look out for interesting discussions, insider info, and the occasional good deal.

Below are a handful of Philippine sneaker groups that I think are definitely worth joining in. Check them out for yourself, but always remember that the internet is public domain. Act like you would if you were encountering the people you interact with in a real world setting. Don't be the asshole that hides behind fake names just to troll people. Be nice, do your research, and if you're looking to buy stuff, be wary of scammers.

Awesome cover design by Ira Cordero

1. Sole Slam Manila 
Member Count - 21,529 as of 2/16/2014

If you're in the know when it comes to Philippine sneaker culture, Sole Slam Manila should be a familiar name. Antonio Aguirre Jr. founded what I think has become an institution in world sneaker culture. It's not just me who thinks so. Check out what The Shoe Game had to say. In fact, the group's just the tip of a pretty big-ass iceberg. Aside from a strong social media presence, Sole Slam Manila also has a legit brick-and-mortar store and a yearly event that's at par with many sneaker conventions around the world.

Expect lots of buying and selling, discussions, and pretty much anything about sneakers in general. I also appreciate the fact that the group's admins keep it as well maintained as a 21k strong group can possibly be.

Join HERE 

2. Kobe Section PH 
Member Count - 14,399 as of 2/16/2014

Kobe Bryant is without a doubt of the most recognized figures in basketball the world over. His following here in the Philippines is a pretty devoted lot, so it's no surprise that his sneakers are usually well received over on this side of the world. Save for the occasional errant posts (iPhones for sale in a sneaker group, really?), you'll find a good amount of release info, sneaker hookups, and a good amount of buying and selling of pretty much anything involving The Black Mamba.



Join HERE

3. New Balance PHL
Member Count - 3097 as of 2/16/2014

Retro runners are going to be big this year and New Balance is one of the brands that's been leading the charge. The group may not be huge in number yet, but you'll find a ton of good deals, release info and a whole lot of NBs that weren't released locally.

Join HERE

4. Strictly Off The Wall (Vans Talk Philippines)
Member Count - 3,785 as of 2/16/2014

Lots of deals, discussions, and release info on a load of Vans silhouettes. Arguably the best local Vans group online.

Join HERE

5. Sneaker Beaters Club
Member Count - 22,247 as of 2/16/2014

This group has a pretty interesting set of posting rules. Most of what you'll find here may be secondhand stuff, but there's always a good chance on coming up on a good deal here.

Join HERE 

6. Heat Hub PH
Member Count - 220 as of 2/16/2014

Okay, this one's a pretty shamless plug. I created this group for people to share the sneakers they wear. No selling here, just discussions and lots and lots of shots of really sick kicks. Feel free to join us HERE

There's a lot of other groups out there. Some really broad, and some that cater to niche audiences. If you know a group that should get some promotion, or if you've started a group as well, let me know in the comments section and I'll make sure to check it out!