Pistons’ Cade Cunningham debuted the new Kobe 4 Protro Ahead of Mamba Day

Ahead of ‘Mamba Day’ Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham debuted the new Kobe 4 Protro in his pregame workout before the Pistons’ game against the Dallas Mavericks before tomorrow’s release. Unfortunately for the Pistons and Cunningham, he was listed out with a knee injury, according to Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press.

The Kobe Protro by Nike is a special edition sneaker that honors the basketball legend and his Philadelphia roots. The shoe will stay true to the original 2009 design while highlighting Kobe Bryant’s hometown, per Nike. According to Nike Inc., The Kobe 4 Protro “Philly’ color wave combines a Varsity Royal synthetic upper with Varsity Red and white trim on the laces, sock liner, and swoosh branding.

Courtesy of Jun Lil

There is additionally a celebrity pattern along the ankle and Kobe’s date of birth, his slogan “Mamba Mentality” stamped on the insoles. This release tomorrow on ‘Mamba Day’ marks eight years since Bryant dropped 60 points in his last game against the Utah Jazz on April 13, 2016. Per Complex, Nike will also release other shoes from the Kobe Bryant line. The Kobe 4 Protro “Philly” is listed at $190, however, the resale market price has increased to $2,800, according to kicksonfire.com.

The enduring legacy of basketball icon Kobe Bryant etched forever in sports history. His life along with eight other people including his daughter Gianna ‘ Gigi’ Bryant passed away in a helicopter crash. The helicopter was on its way to the AAU basketball game against Jason Terry’s team at the “Mamba Sports Academy,” which has now been renamed, “the Sports Academy,” according to ESPN.

The facility is located in Thousand Oaks, California, Chad Faulkner, who is the Chief Executive Officer of “the Sports Academy,” shared that the crash was the worst tragedy.

“The worst tragedy that we could have ever imagined happened,” Faulkner told USA TODAY Sports. “That changed everything.”

“We cannot play another game today, because Kobe has passed away.”

Jason Terry discusses how his daughter’s team was scheduled to play Gianna Bryant’s team yesterday. pic.twitter.com/oDRLh2XzSk

— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) January 28, 2020

 

When he was notified of the news of Kobe’s passing, Terry shared that went up to the first official and said there’s no more basketball.

“I ran up to the first official I could see and told him, ‘Look, there’s no more basketball. We cannot play another game today. Kobe has passed away,’’’ the former Dallas Mavericks guard said. “And immediately the ball stopped bouncing, everyone converged on one of the courts, and we all just gathered around, got on one knee, and one gentleman…spoke very eloquently. He said a huge prayer. His message was, ‘You never know when someone you know or love may be taken away from you, so hug your loved ones, tell them you love them. Just embrace every moment.’”

Earlier this year the Los Angeles Lakers unveiled Kobe Bryant’s statue in front of Crypto.com Arena [aka The Staple Center], the house that Kobe built.

“Trading for Kobe in 1996 set this franchise and this city on a journey that was beyond our wildest dreams,” she said.

“I think of Kobe constantly,” she added. “I miss him and Gigi more than words can say. But today I am filled with joy because in the future I know fans will gather here in the shade of this statue beside this building where Kobe gave us so many memories, and we will share what he meant to us.”