Have we been spoiled with the plethora of Nike Kobe Protros that have released over the last handful of years? Is this final slew of Kobe 6 Protros the last we will see from the Kobe line? Amidst hearing the news that Kobe’s Nike contract ended effective April 13th, many questions are currently up in the air as far as the future of the Nike Kobe line. As for the time being, Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa (along with the Kobe Bryant Estate), have chosen to not renew Bryant’s contract with the Swoosh. Vanessa Bryant is now free to explore other opportunities for the “Mamba” brand, with rumors that this is the route that her late husband wanted to explore prior to his passing. Only time will tell to see what will in fact happen to the Kobe line and its sneakers.

From now on we will cherish each Kicks Through the Lens week because we truly don’t know how much longer Nike Kobe sneakers will be in the market. The Nike Kobe line has been a staple for NBA players on court for over ten years now. It’s hard to fathom a basketball world in which the Swoosh and Kobe aren’t connected on a sneaker endorsement. Six out of the ten shoes that made the countdown this week were Kobes alone. That right there goes to show you just how popular his Nike models are. Scroll below to see what rounded out week 17’s Kicks Through the Lens list.

10. New Balance TWO WXY – Dejounte Murray

9. Reebok Answer IV OG “20th Anniversary” – Josh Richardson

8. 2012 Nike KD 4 “N7” (Home) – John Wall

7. 2011 Nike Kobe 6 “Helicopter” – Talen Horton-Tucker

6. Jordan XXXV “Raging Bull” P.E. – Carmelo Anthony

5. Nike Kobe 6 Protro P.E. – P.J. Tucker

4. Nike Kobe 5 Protro P.E. – Trevor Ariza

3. Nike Kobe 6 Protro P.E. – Devin Booker

2. Nike Kobe 6 Protro P.E. – Tyler Herro

1. Nike Kobe 6 Protro P.E. – Devin Booker

This past week we were reminded just how nice the Jordan XXXV P.E.’s are. We only wish that Jordan Brand would release more of these player exclusive colorways to the public. Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker, Carmelo Anthony, and Luka Doncic appear in week 16’s countdown all sporting the 35th signature shoe in MJ’s line. Nike Kobe 6 Protros are still coming out in full force, but don’t get your hopes up, they’re not going back on the customizable platform anytime soon. Lastly, Kevin Durant debuted his 14th signature sneaker on court this past week. The Nike KD 14’s are the first KD model to feature a strap since the 7’s. Unique patterns have graced the uppers of the first few colorways we have seen so far. Look for Kevin Durant to sport his 14th signature shoe for the remainder of the 2020-21 season. Scroll below to see how many of your favorite players made this week’s top 10 in our Kicks Through the Lens.

10. Jordan CP3.XII P.E. – Chris Paul

9. Nike KD 13 “Venom Yellow” – Kevin Durant

8. Jordan XXXV P.E. – Kemba Walker

7. Jordan XXXV “Pizza” P.E. – Jayson Tatum

6. Undefeated x Nike Kobe 4 Protro “L.A. Lakers” – Ja Morant

5. Jordan XXXV “Grape” P.E. – Luka Dončić

4. Nike Kobe 5 “Lakers” – Ja Morant

3. Jordan XXXV P.E. – Carmelo Anthony

2. Nike KD 14 – Kevin Durant

1. Nike Zoom Freak 2 P.E. – Giannis Antetokounmpo

Gone are the days of Easter-themed basketball packs from brands like Nike, Adidas, etc. Boy, those were the good days, weren’t they? I  guess in the meantime we’ll have to settle for brands over-reaching on P.E.’s; making them inspired by athletes’ favorite candy, movie, animal, etc. This past week’s countdown saw one of the best custom sneakers we have featured in a long time. A young Blazers guard turned back the clock and pulled out some Nike KD’s from 2011. Montrezl Harrell made a splash on Easter Sunday with his player exclusive Reebok Questions dressed in pastel colors. Additionally, Kicks Through the Lens week 15 shows a couple of brands not normally seen on the list. Scroll below to find out for yourself.

10. Converse All-Star BB Low P.E. – Kelly Oubre Jr.

9. New Balance THE KAWHI “Easter” – Kawhi Leonard

8. Li-Ning Speed VII Premium P.E. – Fred VanVleet

7. Jordan XXXV P.E. – Mike Conley

6. Reebok Question Mid “Easter” P.E. – Montrezl Harrell

5. 2011 Nike KD 3 “OKC Home” – Anfernee Simons

4. 2011 Nike Kobe 6 “3D ASG” – Ja Morant

3. 2014 Nike Kobe 6 “Prelude” – Ja Morant

2. Jordan XXXV P.E. – Jayson Tatum

1. Nike Kobe A.D. “What The MVP” Custom (done by @andr3wtl) – Tyrese Haliburton

Week 14 of Kicks Through the Lens showed us that the Kobe 5 Protro P.E.’s are still going strong – especially with players on new teams. New teams for NBA stars means new color combos they can pick out for their shoes to match their new uniform. Carmelo Anthony sported a Jordan XXXV P.E. inspired by his alma mater, Syracuse University. It was perfect timing for Melo to rock this P.E. as his former ‘Cuse boys were right in the middle of making a surprise run to the Sweet 16. Former Michigan Wolverine, Caris LeVert, was seen wearing a UM P.E. in the Jordan XXXV’s as well. Scroll below to see who snagged our top spot for week 14.

10. New Balance The KAWHI P.E. – Kawhi Leonard

9. Nike Kobe 5 Protro P.E. – Tyrese Maxey

8. Nike Kobe 6 Protro “All-Star” – Bol Bol

7. Nike Kobe 5 Protro P.E. – P.J. Tucker

6. Nike Kobe 6 Protro P.E. – James Wiseman

5. Jordan XXXV “Fire Red” – Bradley Beal

4. Nike Kobe 6 Protro P.E. – Jrue Holiday

3. Nike Kyrie 7 P.E. – Kyrie Irving

2. Jordan XXXV “Syracuse” P.E. – Carmelo Anthony

1. Nike Kobe 5 Protro P.E. – Trevor Ariza

There are two types of sneakerheads: ones who see the 2005 Jordan 10 “Linen” and say that they look like the 2020 “SoleFly” Jordan 10’s, and ones who see the SoleFly’s and say they look too similar to the Linens. Different eras, different generations of sneaker enthusiasts, who some of them sadly do not know what the Linen Jordan 10’s are. Of course, the one NBA player brave enough to wear a 16-year-old pair of sneakers on court would be P.J. Tucker. He did just that this past week, sporting the ’05 “Linen” Jordan 10’s – a perfect match for his new Bucks uniform.

Week 13 of our Kicks Through the Lens is Kobe 6 Protro heavy. Players not normally featured for wearing this model made their way into our countdown with some undeniable color schemes. At the same time, players like DeMar DeRozan and P.J. Tucker also shined while wearing the Protro 6’s. Jordan 35 P.E.’s are still going strong with guys like Rui Hachimura getting some of the best iterations JB has put out. Looks like we won’t be seeing LeBron James on the court for a month after he suffered a severe high ankle sprain. James was favoring his LeBron 18 Lows in recent games and even wore a mismatched colorway this past week. Scroll below to check out who made our list for week 13.

10. Jordan Why Not Zer0.4 P.E. – Russell Westbrook

9. Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Yeezy 2” P.E. – P.J. Tucker

8. Nike LeBron 18 Low “Reverse Fireberry” P.E. – LeBron James

7. 2013 Nike Kobe 4 “Prelude” – Ja Morant

6. 2005 Jordan X “Linen” – P.J. Tucker

5. Nike Kobe 11 Elite Low “Oregon P.E.” – Anfernee Simons

4. Nike Kobe 6 Protro P.E. – Paul Millsap

3. Nike Kobe 6 Protro P.E. – Hassan Whiteside

2. Jordan XXXV “Cherry Blossom” P.E. – Rui Hachimura

1. Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Bubble Guppies” P.E. – DeMar DeRozan