adidas EQT Elevation

Kobe Bryant is 34 years old. Still young, it was nearly half a life span ago when he made the jump to the NBA and signed with the Three Stripes. The reserve rookie wasn’t a mainstay in Staples or even Sportscenter for that matter, but it was still evident that he’d be the guy. Such was previewed on his first foray in sneaker stardom, the adidas Equipment Elevation.
A reverse endorsement of sorts, the risk of making an unproven teenager the spokesman for a sneaker said a lot about adidas and what they believed Kobe could be. From the get-to, he’d make good on the Elevations by putting purple PEs to literal work in a ’97 Dunk Contest win. KB8 would go on to back the brand’s belief, earning All-Star nods and championship rings all within his first six seasons.
Wearing a higher number and a sleeker logo, Mr. Bryant is a far different player than the smiley sensation that relied more on boundless athleticism than focused basketball IQ. Never the less, an EQT Elevation retro would be as savvy as it’d be fresh. All three original colorways please, bring ‘em back!

Kicks: adidas EQT Elevation

Released: 1997