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Kobe Bryant’s shoes are the favorite of NBA players

By Kenneth Teape

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 11: The sneakers of Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers for the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 11, 2016 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 11: The sneakers of Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers for the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 11, 2016 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Kobe Bryant is beginning to take over the shoe game, as his shoes are now the most popular among NBA players.

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant has left a lasting impact on the NBA. Plenty of kids aspire to be Bryant, while many players in the NBA look up to him. Bryant is as popular a player as we have seen in recent history, as he was the closest thing we have seen to Michael Jordan on the court.

Kids nowadays know Jordan as much, if not more, for his shoes than his dominance on the court. Jordan changed the show game forever, and now Bryant looks like he is beginning to have a lasting impact on the show game as well.

Earlier this offseason, Kyrie Irving released a new pair of basketball shoes. The Kyrie 3 Mamba Mentality were inspired by Bryant himself according to Irving. The shoes were inspired by Bryant’s own Bruce Lee themed shoes, the Zoom Kobe 5.

That kind of influence is something many people can only dream of having. However, Irving is not the only player that Bryant has influenced. Bryant’s shoes are actually taking over the NBA, as he now has the most popular basketball shoe among NBA players.

Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers /

Los Angeles Lakers

According to Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype, Bryant’s shoes are worn by more NBA players now than any other shoe available.

"“According to a report from Versus Reviews, Jordan has also fallen in another key measure of understanding shoe popularity. Their research indicates more NBA players are wearing Kobe Bryant sneakers than Michael Jordan.In fact, 58 players in the league are wearing Kobe’s while 50 rock shoes from Jordan. This is a major change of pace for the industry.”"

The other key measure that is mentioned is sneaker companies in general. It was announced recently that Adidas has passed Jordan as the second most popular sneaker company in the world, in addition to Bryant’s shoes becoming the most popular among players in the NBA.

Which shoes are the most popular among the players? That would be the Kobe A.D.’s.

"“Nike Kobe AD’s are the most popular choice for players, with 33 individuals wearing them. Only one shoe from the Jordan brand (Air Jordan XXI) finished in the top 10, as 13 players chose to wear those shoes.”"

The Kobe A.D.’s are something Lakers fans should already be familiar with. Not only are they a signature shoe of Bryant’s, but they are one of the shoes that Lonzo Ball wore during the Las Vegas Summer League.

Ball ditched his originally designed ZO2’s, his first signature shoe, for the Kobe A.D.’s in Las Vegas. It was something that sparked a ton of discussion, not only because he was not wearing his own shoes, but because popularity in shoes has boomed in recent years.

Just as he was the closest thing to Jordan on the court, Bryant is on his way to following his footsteps off the court as well. Many players in the NBA today idolized Bryant growing up, much like Bryant idolized Jordan.

Next: Top 10 Kobe Bryant Games Of All-Time

It has resulted in a shift in power in the sneaker world in the NBA, one that will probably continue as Bryant is an international superstar and his reach is not slowing down.

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