An up-and-coming auction house has apparently procured some historic athletic footwear, including a pair of Adidas sneakers worn by a rookie Kobe Bryant during his first-ever NBA postseason.
Infinite Auctions, an online auction platform which is a subsidiary of Medical Care Technologies Inc., has launched its “The GOAT Collection” which features the aforementioned sneakers worn by Bryant, a pair of Air Jordan 10s said to be worn by Michael Jordan shortly after his iconic “I’m back” return to the league, and a game-worn LeBron James jersey believed to be worn by the star during his last home game as a Miami Heat player.
You May Also Like
Related Stories
The Kobe sneakers in question are the 1997 Adidas EQT Elevation, the first shoe from the brand worn by Bryant in the NBA, which was renamed the Crazy 97 for its reissues. The late Los Angeles Lakers icon memorably wore them in the 1997 slam dunk contest and continued to lace the pair up in the playoffs, which is where the pair that’s up for grabs originated from.
According to Infinite Auctions, the shoe has been photo matched as the same pair worn by Bryant during Game 4 of the 1997 Western Conference first round, where the Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers.
Photo-matched details of Kobe Bryant's game-worn Adidas EQT Elevation sneakers.
Photo-matched details of Kobe Bryant‘s game-worn Adidas EQT Elevation sneakers. Infinite Auctions
It’s believed that this same pair was worn during multiple games as the Lakers advanced in the playoffs to meet the Utah Jazz. Beyond their game-worn status, both the left and right shoes of the Adidas EQT Elevation were signed by Bryant in silver ink.
The Lakers’ ’97 playoffs campaign would be trampled by the Jazz in the Western Conference Semifinals, with Bryant’s team picking up only a single win in the series.
Following the EQT Elevation, Bryant wore the Adidas KB8 (later renamed the Crazy 8), Adidas the Kobe (Crazy 1) and Adidas the Kobe 2 (Crazy 2). He would then depart from the brand, entering a period of sneaker free agency in which he was issued player exclusive colorways of various Air Jordan sneakers before the beginning of his groundbreaking Nike signature line.
The auction for Byrant’s game-worn and autographed Adidas EQT Elevation sneakers will run through July 19. As of publishing, bidding stands at $8,500. Readers can find more information and bid at infiniteauctions.com.
Kobe Bryant's game-worn Adidas EQT Elevation sneakers (lateral).
Kobe Bryant’s game-worn Adidas EQT Elevation sneakers (lateral). Infinite Auctions
Kobe Bryant's game-worn Adidas EQT Elevation sneakers (medial).
Kobe Bryant’s game-worn Adidas EQT Elevation sneakers (medial). Infinite Auctions
Kobe Bryant's game-worn Adidas EQT Elevation sneakers (pair/front).
Kobe Bryant’s game-worn Adidas EQT Elevation sneakers (pair/front). Infinite Auctions
Kobe Bryant's game-worn Adidas EQT Elevation sneakers (heel/sole).
Kobe Bryant’s game-worn Adidas EQT Elevation sneakers (heel/sole). Infinite Auctions