The Nike Kobe 8 Elite Lakers Home PE Kobe Tore his Achilles In Sells For $660,000

UPDATE: The game-worn Nike Kobe 8 Elite Lakers Home PE sold at auction for $660,000, breaking the record for the highest price paid for a Kobe sneaker at auction. The original story continues below.

Kobe Bryant’s give-it-all and hardworking mindset, often dubbed the “Mamba Mentality,” has inspired generations to push forward through adversity, so much so that Nike has decided to dedicate a series of products under the “Year of the Mamba” as a nod to his long-lasting legacy. Multiple moments are prime examples of Kobe exuding this mentality, like the long-retold stories of his early morning gym sessions.

However, one moment that drives home what it is like to play with this mindset is when Bryant tore his Achilles during an NBA game against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in 2013. He finished the game and made two free throws, standing on one leg. The pair of sneakers Kobe wore during his injury, the Nike Kobe 8 Elite Lakers Home PE, are going up for auction.

Previously, Sotheby’s put up a pair of game-worn Nike Kobe 8s in a Laker Home PE colorway that can be dated to a game he played against the Washington Wizards, but that pair differed in it was the standard Nike Kobe 8, not the Elite version seen here. Outside of the color scheme, some notable differences include Flywire support on the upper, carbon fiber in place of TPU on the heel counter, and a slightly more breathable mesh base. For its color scheme, this pair opts for a primarily white finish with gold accents on branding details and the lace set and purple accents on the heel, tongue, and fused TPU film overlay.

Now, any regular pair of game-worn Kobes would already have collectors foaming at the mouth for an opportunity to own a piece of history, but this being the pair Kobe tore his Achilles in only adds to its appeal. During the beginning of the second half of a game against the Warriors on April 12, 2013, Kobe hyper-extended his knee, causing him to sit on the bench for a portion of the game. Still, Bryant pushed forward and played until he drove to the basket and tore his Achilles tendon.

After this devastating and painful injury, Bryant was pushing to get back into the game. He told Gary Vitti, the Lakers' athletic trainer, that he wanted to tape up his ankle and continue playing. His pleas eventually convinced Vitti to allow him to head back to the court to shoot his two free throws, doing so in immense pain.

Later, Kobe wrote a lengthy post on his Facebook page that featured him venting his frustrations and contemplating his career, though one portion exemplifies the kind of person Bryant was. “One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day. 'If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey for the bear.' Ive always loved that quote. Thats 'mamba mentality' we don't quit, we don't cower, we don't run. We endure and conquer.”

The game-worn Nike Kobe 8 Elite Lakers Home PE that Bryant wore during the Achilles Game was estimated to sell between $600,000 and $800,000. The pair ended up selling at the auction house’s “The One” sale in NYC on February 7 for a record $660,000, the most for any Kobe Bryant sneaker at auction. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest happenings in the sneaker and streetwear world.

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com