Vince Carter is shocked that Vanessa Bryant and Nike were unable to reach an agreement. He spoke about this on The Jump yesterday.
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The news that Kobe’s Nike deal had run out came as a surprise to the majority of basketball fans. Kobes are usually viewed as excellent hooping shoes, especially on the outdoor courts that most public play on.
Vince Carter is one of those stars who played at their peak during Kobe’s time. He obviously had a healthy competition with the Lakers legend on and off the court. VC spoke up accordingly:
“This is everything. What Kobe has done for the game, what his shoes do for the game, people are always talking about, yo I’m gonna get the Kobes.”
“Kobe gifted me a pair of Kobe’s, I didn’t wear, obviously I had my own signature shoe at the time. I put those things right on the [indiscernible]. I was not wearing these things, but what it’s done for the game, it’s just amazing.”
“[I] hope they’re able to work something out, lifetime deal is what I’m thinking. Him not being here anymore and to see these two go away from each other and part ways, it’s just mind-boggling.”
The relationship between Nike and Kobe Bryant
Kobe was initially an Adidas athlete through his first threepeat with Shaquille O’Neal. He was, however, dissatisfied with the designs proposed by the German sportswear giants.
Bryant was a sneaker free agent through the 2002-03 season, when he wore a few Jordan and Nike shoes. He signed with Nike finally in 2003, and stuck with this brand till the time of his death.
Vanessa Bryant seems to be zeroing in on releasing a new brand centered around the Mamba trademark. Kobe Inc has filed several related trademarks, including Play Gigi’s Way, Mamba and Mambacita, Baby Mambas and Mamba League.
It remains to be seen how the Kobe estate goes ahead with its plan for a new sneaker line.
