Kicks and Colors: The Kobe XI offers ‘Eulogy’ for Bryant's career

Kobe Bryant's latest shoe could serve as a eulogy for his 20-year NBA career.

Kicks and Colors spotlights the variety of colorways—and the stories that go with—that brands unveil in key basketball sneakers.

Brand: Nike

Sneaker: Kobe XI

Signature athlete: Kobe Bryant

Colorway: Eulogy

Story: After 20 NBA seasons, all in Los Angeles, the latest Kobe XI release from Nike has us looking at Bryant as a true-blooded Laker. With gold and purple running through his veins, Nike celebrates the colors of Kobe's team as part of his legacy. Or is it his eulogy? Releasing on Saturday, Feb. 27, the new style of Flyknit upper on the Kobe XI goes mostly purple, fading to black with a touch of gold sprinkled in. We also see the numbers 8 and 24 on the back heel.

Courtesy of Nike

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Tim Newcomb covers stadiums, design and sneakers for Sports Illustrated. Follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb.