Kobe Bryant Appearance At The Grove L.A. Coinciding With Release Of Nike Kobe 1 Protro ‘Purple Reign’

Matthew Moreno
2 Min Read

Next for Nike and Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant is the release of the Kobe 1 Protro “Purple Reign.” The launch is a re-release of Bryant’s original “Black Out” Nike Kobe 1.

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The colorway is perhaps most synonymous with Bryant’s emphatic slam dunk over Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash in Game 2 of their first-round matchup in the 2006 Western Conference playoffs. While the Protro line has upgraded the model with improved technology, details from the original release largely remain the same.

A predominantly black upper is mixed with purple suede on the medial side (inner portion) of both shoes and the same colored mesh collar lining. White Swooshes overlay the black upper on the later side, while black Swooshes complement the purple suede.

The “Black Out” moniker remains on a lace cutout on both shoes, along with a yellow Swoosh at the base of both tongues.

The “Purple Reign” Kobe 1 Protro launches Tuesday at 7 a.m. on the SNKRS app and select retailers. The Nike store at The Grove L.A. is holding a special event at 6 p.m., which Bryant himself will attend.

His book with famed photographer Andy Bernstein, “The Mamba Mentality: How I Play” also releases Tuesday.

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers games, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com