John Kim 
After signing Kobe onto Team Nike in 2003, things weren’t exactly peachy-keen for the Los Angeles Lakers superstar. It wouldn’t be until 2006 when the first official Kobe Bryant signature shoe would be released, and based on the immense outpouring of support (by way of sales), the public was ready to move on and hail Kobe as one of the best in the game. After the Air Zoom Kobe was the Zoom Kobe II (the only ‘strapped’ Kobe signature shoe with Nike), but here’s a look at an early sample of that shoe; it features the Kobe II outsole, but with a plain smooth-leather upper with lasering detail on the medial side, and although it’s interesting to see these samples come to light, we’re glad the changes were made because the Zoom Kobe II is one of the more underrated and understated Nike Basketball kicks of the last decade. More of this autographed rarity below, so check the gallery and see the full listing from ultimatepastime on eBay.
