Nike Kobe 8 Elite Lakers Home PE Kobe tore his Achilles is up for auction

Kobe Bryant’s give-it-all and hard-working mindset, often called the “Mamba Mentality”, has inspired generations to push forward through adversity, so much so that Nike has decided to dedicate a series of products during the “Year of the Mamba” as a nod to his lasting legacy. Several moments are prime examples of Kobe exuding this mentality, like the long-retold stories of his early morning gym sessions.

But one moment that drives home what it’s like to play with this mindset is when Bryant tore his Achilles during an NBA game against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in 2013. He finished the game making two free throws, standing on one. leg. The pair of sneakers Kobe wore during his injury, the Nike Kobe 8 Elite Lakers Home PE, is going up for auction.

Previously, Sotheby’s listed a pair of game-worn Nike Kobe 8s in a Laker Home PE colorway dating to a game he played against the Washington Wizards, but that pair differed in that it was the standard Nike Kobe 8, not the Elite version seen here. Outside of the color scheme, some notable differences include Flywire support on the upper, carbon fiber instead of TPU on the heel counter, and a slightly more breathable mesh base. For its color scheme, this pair opts for a primarily white finish with gold accents on the branding details and lace set and purple accents on the heel, tongue and fused TPU film overlay.

Now, any regular pair of game-worn Kobes would already have collectors frothing at the mouth for an opportunity to own a piece of history, but this being the pair that Kobe tore his Achilles in only adds to its allure. Early in the second half of a game against the Warriors on April 12, 2013, Kobe hyper-extended his knee, causing him to sit on the bench for part of the game. Still, Bryant pushed forward and played until he drove to the basket and tore his Achilles tendon.

After this devastating and painful injury, Bryant pushed to get back into the game. He told Gary Vitti, the Lakers’ athletic trainer, that he wanted to tape up the ankle and continue playing. His pleas eventually convinced Vitti to allow him to go back to the court to shoot his two free throws, doing so in immense pain.

Kobe later wrote a lengthy post on his Facebook page venting his frustrations and reflecting on his career, though in part it exemplifies the kind of person Bryant was. “One day the beginning of a new career journey will begin. Today is NOT that day. ‘If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey for the bear.’ I’ve always loved that quote it’s ‘.mamba mentality’ we don’t quit, we don’t crawl, we don’t run. We persevere and prevail.”

According to Sotheby’s, the game-worn Nike Kobe 8 Elite Lakers Home PE that Bryant wore during the Achilles game is estimated to sell for between $600,000 and $800,000. The pair will be displayed in the auction house “The One” on sale in NYC on February 7th. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest happenings in the sneaker and streetwear world.

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when I’m not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: [email protected]