In the annals of basketball and sneaker history, few stories are as intertwined with the evolution of footwear as that of Kobe Bryant. Beginning his illustrious NBA career with adidas, Kobe's early days on the court were characterized by an adventurous and experimental approach to sneaker design, giving rise to the iconic adidas Crazy series. Among these, the adidas Crazy 98, originally known as the KB8 2, holds a special place, remembered for its bold aesthetics and on-court performance. After a decade-long hiatus, the model returns in its Lakers Away colorway.
The adidas Crazy 98 Lakers Away is a faithful reimagining of the classic silhouette, featuring traditional construction including leather, mesh, and TPU. The sneaker's wavy upper is predominantly black, setting a stark contrast against the white accents that adorn the Three Stripes and adidas logo on the midfoot and collar. Purple adidas branding on the tongue nods to the Lakers' rich color palette, with additional purple elements visible beneath the clear rubber along the midfoot. The see-through mesh is placed along the toe and runs back towards the collar while we see leather take sandwich this material. The design is anchored by an adiPRENE+ cushioning system, presented in a harmonious blend of black, white, and purple that matches the outsole below.
The adidas Crazy 98 Lakers Away will release on April 13, 2024, through adidas and select retailers online and in-store for $150. This date is significant as April 13th is the day Kobe Bryant played in his final NBA game in 2016. Also, alongside this pair from adidas, Nike plans to launch the Kobe 4 Protro Philly, Kobe 6 Protro Italian Camo, and Kobe 8 Protro Venice Beach to celebrate the anniversary of Kobe’s last NBA game. As the release date approaches, stay connected to the Sole Retriever mobile app for the latest updates on this release, and other news, raffles, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
adidas Crazy 98 Lakers Away
Image via adidas
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Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
