Matt Varga The era of the Nike Kobe 9 Protro is well underway, delivering on the original high-cut build and its “Engineered Mesh” takedown, a build that closer aligns with the low construction that defined the Mamba’s line in his later days. While we’re still anticipating several launches for the earnest Kobe 9, the EM has become an increasingly frequent sight, debuting anew with the “Mambacita” colorway and consistently hitting the newswire with PE do-ups.
In line with both of those, the silhouette is now primed to become a common sight at your local runs as we embark on the Nike Kobe 9 EM “Team Bank” collection, including the “Black/University Gold” rendition at hand. No deep analysis is needed to draw the connection back to the Lakers’ patented yellow and purple, particularly effective in recalling “Hollywood Nights” jerseys that the Black Mamba so fittingly championed on-court. Below the shimmering Swoosh and jeweled purple Sheath logo, a bit more vibrancy sneaks into the design with a speckled heel counter panel.
Kobe completionists will instantly draw the connection to the Kobe 8 “Team Bank” collection, so far the widest distribution of the silhouette to get one of Nike’s strongest heritage hoops shoes into the hands of, well, hoopers. The emergent collection for the Kobe 9 seems to have those same intentions in mind, hitting on simplistic yet still effective colorway options for those who fell in love with the original or newer fans who have heard its hardware benefits second-hand.
Expect the Nike Kobe 9 EM “Black/University Gold” to touch down on September 1st, launching in both adult ($190) and GS ($120) sizing.
