An Inside Look at the Kobe 9 Elite Low

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News broke yesterday of the upcoming releases of the Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low "Beethoven" and "Hyper Grape" colorways. Today, Nike is giving us an inside look into the creative process behind what is being billed as "Bryant's most innovative shoe to-date."

As they have done for the last decade, Bryant teamed up with Nike designer Eric Avar to ensure that the Kobe 9 Elite Low contained the most revolutionary basketball technologies available. Bryant's demands for an innovative shoe were met, as never before has a basketball shoe featured the big three Nike technologies: Flyknit, Flywire and Lunarlon.

Versatile enough for both indoor and outdoor use, Flyknit technology makes the Kobe 9 Elite Low the ideal summer basketball shoe. Thanks to the efforts of Avar, the low top version of the Kobe 9 Elite eliminates some of the bulk and distraction that comes with it's high top model.

Music is the driving force behind the aesthetic arrangement of Bryant's low top ninth shoe. According to Nike, "The artistry of music and its ability to move and inspire people has always intrigued the athlete." The "Hyper Grape" colorway pays homage to pop music with its vibrant color and moon surface graphic on the outsole. The "Beethoven" model pays tribute to the German composer's Ninth Symphony, as the gray tones are meant to symbolize Beethoven's timeless quality.

The Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low will hit shelves this summer, with the "Hyper Grape" dropping July 12 and the "Beethoven" arriving August 16.

[Nike, Inc.]

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