A month after Kobe Bryant‘s first signature sneaker got a new colorway modeled after The Forum, where he began his career before the Los Angeles Lakers’ move to its current arena, his third will look to the same source material through a distinct lens.
The Nike Kobe 3 Protro “Mamba Magic” takes its primary color the pink external lighting of The Forum. Two shades of pink are used for the upper’s sidewalls and vamp, while the outsole is rendered translucently in pink. A black heel then hosts a rose gold-tone Swoosh, with the former color also applied to the lining and midsole stabilizer.
Bryant played at The Forum for his first three years as a Laker, as the arena was home to the franchise from 1967 to 1999. The Lakers then moved to the Staples Center, now called the Crypto.com Arena, at the beginning of the ’99 season.
The Kobe 1 Protro “City of Champions” released during NBA All-Star Weekend with a series of graphics calling out The Forum, faux-aged elements and colors pulled from the Lakers’ original blue uniforms. A matching Kobe Bryant x Air Force 1 Low also released alongside it.
Bryant’s third signature model has taken a regular place among Nike Kobe releases since it was given its first Protro remastering late last summer with an all-white “Halo” theme. Updated mesh is more breathable than what was used in the shoe’s original run, and the midsole has been upgraded with modern Cushlon 3.0 foam. February also brought the addition of the first low-top iteration as part of All Star Weekend’s “Warning Label” collection.
The Nike Kobe 3 Protro “Mamba Magic” will release on March 13 through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $190.
Nike Kobe 3 Protro “Mamba Magic” (Lateral)
Nike Kobe 3 Protro “Mamba Magic” (heel)