On Sunday afternoon, the world felt like it collectively stopped. News had broke that Kobe Bryant had passed away in a helicopter crash at the age of 41. That still doesn't seem like a series of words that I should be typing. The news that his teenage daughter Gianna and seven others also died as a result of the crash made everything that much more heartbreaking.
Kobe was more than just an excellent basketball player. Aside from the 81 points or 5 championship rings, he was a superhero to people. We shouted his name when we threw out trash. We really thought he jumped over a speeding Aston Martin in a pair of Hyperdunks. Some even adopted his patented Mamba Mentality to help them better their own lives. There's a reason every single person and media outlet has honored Kobe with photos and video clips for the past 24 hours. He is a global icon that reached a level of notoriety and importance that few people can rival.
Yes, Kobe might be gone too soon. But the legacy of the Black Mamba will never die. As hard as it might be for some, we think it's only right to celebrate Kobe's legacy, not just what he accomplished on the hardwood but in the sneaker world as well. Here are five of our favorite Kobe sneaker moments. Hopefully, it makes you crack a smile or have a laugh. Even if only briefly, the nostalgia helped us. -Mike DeStefano