NBA 2K24 Has the Wrong Sneakers on Kobe Bryant
Earlier this morning, 2K Sports unveiled the cover for NBA 2K24. As expected, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was named the cover athlete. While we love the decision, we have questions about the image used on the cover.
2K Sports is already pre-selling the "Kobe Bryant Edition" and "Black Mamba Edition." The first option shows a young Bryant soaring through the air for a dunk while wearing his number 8 jersey.
Look closer, and you will see the jersey patch for either the 2000 or 2001 NBA Finals. Then look down at Bryant's feet, and you will see Nike shoes. Of course, Bryant did not sign with Nike until 2003.
Throughout the Lakers' three-peat, Bryant famously wore adidas basketball shoes. Bryant wore the "adidas The Kobe" during the 2000 and 2001 NBA Finals, while wearing the "adidas The Kobe 2" during the 2002 NBA Finals (but the Lakers and New Jersey Nets wore an unmistakable patriotic jersey patch during that series).
The cover appears to show the Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K4, which Bryant wore in the 2003-2004 season. It is a minor error and perhaps a decision 2K Sports had to make due to a contractual obligation between the Bryant estate and Nike.
The NBA 2K series has done an excellent job integrating sneaker culture into its video games. More importantly, we are always glad to see Bryant get the love and respect he deserves. Stay locked into FanNation Kicks for all your footwear coverage.
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