Nike Releasing ‘Mamba Mentality’ Colorways Of Kyrie 5 & PG3 For Mamba Day

Matthew Moreno
2 Min Read

While Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant is enjoying retirement, Nike has continued to carry out his signature shoe line and also integrated it with models under the brand’s umbrella. In 2017, Nike merged Bryant and Kyrie Irving for the release of a ‘Bruce Lee’ Kyrie 3.

Now the Boston Celtics point guard had his Nike Kyrie 5 given treatment from Bryant’s career with a ‘Mamba Mentality’ colorway. The shoe draws inspiration from the “Chaos” Nike Zoom Kobe 5 that Bryant unveiled on Christmas Day in 2009.

Irving’s shoe features the same splatter design on the midsole that the Kobe 5 popularized, and also adds a matching heel cup plastic overlay. Nike took matters a step further by including Bryant’s signature on the back of the right shoe, with Irving’s on the left.

The ‘Mamba Mentality’ Nike Kyrie 5 is due to launch at 7 a.m. on Saturday via the SNKRS app and select retailers. The release date coincides with Nike’s ‘Mamba Day’ (April 13) that was created in recognition of the date of Bryant’s last game.

Also due to release Saturday is a ‘Mamba Day’ version of the Nike PG3. Like Irving, Paul George has often spoke about the inspiration he’s taken from the five-time champion. George designed his latest signature shoe by taking from some of Bryant’s sneakers with Nike.

In an ode to the debut colorway of the Nike Kobe 8 system, George’s latest shoe features a black and yellow geometric design for the upper and a yellow sole. Though, unlike the Kyrie 5, the ‘Mamba Day’ release of the PG3 does not feature any specific references from Bryant.

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
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