Nike Is Dropping a Coveted Pair of Holiday-Themed Kobe 6s

On Christmas Day 2020, during a decisive 138-115 Lakers win over the Dallas Mavericks, LA’s Anthony Davis put up 28 points and 8 rebounds wearing a very special pair of sneakers: the slime green Nike Kobe 6 “Grinch.” Kobe Bryant himself had donned the colorway exactly ten years earlier, while taking on LeBron James and the Miami Heat on Christmas Day 2010. “The best Christmas shoe is definitely the Grinches,” Davis said after the 2020 game. “I don’t think no one can argue that.”

It was a fitting holiday flourish and an appropriate tribute to Bryant. But Christmas is hardly the only time you can break out the Grinch Kobes—and Davis is far from the only NBA player to have hooped in a pair of 'em. From Luka Doncic to Tyrese Haliburton, dozens of players have laced up the Grinch Kobe 6s in games at all times of the season. This October, in fact, when Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas lit up on a seemingly unstoppable scoring streak, he did so wearing none other than the Grinch Kobes.

First released in 2010, the Kobe 6 remains one of the most popular sneakers in the league. Between April 2021 and April 2022, according to KixStats.com, the Kobe 6 was the most-worn shoe in the NBA, on the court for a combined 58,000 minutes and used to deliver more than 26,000 total points. But while players love the silhouette for its technical prowess on the court, it’s the Grinch colorway in particular that attracts the most passionate fandom and ardent attention. (Because it’s such a bright green, it’s also the easiest shoe to spot during broadcasts.) The resale market for Grinches has shot the price up well over a grand.

Nike clearly recognizes the significance of the Grinch, because this week, they’re dropping a variation on the classic that’s sure to be equally coveted. The “Reverse Grinch,” as it’s been dubbed, is an inverted version of the yuletide colorway, featuring neon green laces against bright red leather. No less vivid than its sister sneaker, it’s a must-cop that’s almost guaranteed to become another player staple across the NBA. To make it slightly easier on collectors’ wallets, Vanessa Bryant has confirmed on Instagram that the Reverse Grinch will be available in triple the quantity of normal Kobe drops. It’ll no doubt still sell out instantly, but many more folks than usual will manage to be able to get their lucky hands on a pair.

And to bring it full circle, of course, it was Anthony Davis who was first spotted debuting them. We imagine we’ll be seeing many more on the court this coming Christmas. The Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Reverse Grinch” drops on December 16 at Nike for $190.

Originally Appeared on GQ

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