Kobe Bryant‘s rehab seems to be ahead of schedule because he believes he can be back for the regular season opener later this year. The fast-moving process could be in part due to the special “Medical Mamba” sneaker that Nike made just for the Black Mamba to help with his rehab. Although a clear shot can’t be taken from this photo of Kobe putting in work several days ago, it does look like the Nike Kobe 8 in a high-top build, presumably to protect his ailing Achilles. Thoughts on the Nike Kobe returning to mid-top form for the first time since the Nike Zoom Kobe III?