It was past vs. present for one night in 2015, as Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers faced off against Kevin Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder.
Late in the second quarter, the Black Mamba was switched on KD and Kobe got in Durant’s grill. Kevin saw the overplay and went to work on the Lakers legend. Durant faked a right drive before swiftly going right-to-left on the crossover. The older Kobe bit on the first cross and froze in place when Durant pulled a left-to-right dribble. For a moment, the Staples Center crowd abandoned their Kobe fandom and oohed and aahed at the slick dribbling skills.
The sneakers Durant rocked for this play was the Nike KD 8. This shoe featured a Flyweave upper for instant comfort, with added durability compared to a knit. Instead of a traditional heel cup, “teeth” resembling a sabertooth tiger’s were used to provide stability. The sabertooth tiger is one of Durant’s favorite animals, which he has tattooed on his leg. Segmented full-length Zoom Air gave Kevin responsiveness for a quick first step, with the cut sections allowing for more flex to the shoe.
Kevin Durant rocked a black and blue player exclusive for this matchup, which was not made available to the public.
You can find the Nike KD 8 at StockX, Flight Club, Stadium Goods, and GOAT.
Cover image via Bleacher Report
