Kobe Bryant’s 2001 NBA All-Star Game Sneaker Is Being Revived by Adidas
The first sneaker Kobe Bryant wore in an NBA All-Star Game released Thursday ahead of schedule, and joining it soon will be the shoe he wore in 2001 for his third appearance.
Adidas will bring back the Crazy 1 — formerly known as the Kobe 1 and the fourth shoe in Bryant’s signature line — in its yellow and black “All-Star” colorway in February. This year’s release of the sneaker is similar to the “Sunshine” editions from 2022 and 2013, but the key difference arrives via new commemorative “01” embroidery on the tongue as an overt call-out to Bryant’s third of 18 All-Star appearances.
The recently released Crazy 8 “All-Star” also featured “98” tongue embroidery as a not to its respective All-Star appearance.
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Although it doesn’t utilize the same two-tone laces as the previous two releases, the “All-Star” edition is more like the 2013 drop because of its black sole unit with a grey arch at midfoot. Lakers gold then takes over the majority of the upper, as the 2001 NBA All-Star Game continued a streak of players wearing their respective team uniforms from 1997 through 2002.
To this day, the Crazy 1 endures as one of the boldest basketball sneakers ever made. Its sleek, minimalist look was inspired by the Audi TT Roadster, and the shoe looks just as futuristic today as it did more than 20 years ago. After Bryant departed for Nike in 2003, Adidas rechristened the shoe without his name and has continued to release the Crazy 1 somewhat regularly.
The Adidas Crazy 1 “All-Star” has already released in Europe, but a U.S. release date has not yet been announced. Expect the shoe to arrive some time this month, likely near the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend beginning Feb. 16, and a retail price of $150.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
