Inspired by the latest silouhettes of Li Ning basketball shoes, the Li Ning Fire is a high profile shoe that would be worn by the player that wants to step out in something new innovative and stylish.

With a bouncy look, the sole of this shoe is very wavy and consists of EVA material to provide maximum cushion on-court. This sole also surrounds a carbon fiber shank plate. There are breathable patent leather plates that are encased by a red full-grain leather shell on the upper for a snug "wrap-fit" as well as style. A mesh midfoot strap is added for stability and along the ankle area there are nylon chords that hug the ankle for support.

Although this is not his signature shoe, I went with a cherry red color way with green laces as an accent to pay homage to the reverse grinch color way of the Kobe 6 as at this time his birthday was approaching and it only felt right.

This began as a project for Mamba Day this year. As a huge fan of the late Kobe Bryant, I decided to put together this design which was a dedication to continuing that which is the greatness of his legacy. This would be the next Nike Kobe A.D. if they were to continue the line at some point.

Along with this concept, as I began to design the shoe I thought, what if we also incorporated the aspect of Off-White and the Virgil-Abloh-esque details that come with it? Thus, the idea was born that this would be an amazing tribute to both of the icons and what they mean for Nike footwear. Included were design que's that represent both a Nike Kobe footwear silhouette and the juxtaposed abstractions of Nike x Off-White footwear.

The first iteration, I thought was "the one," but I found that it could be even better with more simplistic abstractions, vs jamming two logos (Kobe's logo and a Nike check) together.

So on the final iteration, I backed it up a bit. I decided to combine aspects from Kobe's first shoe, the Nike Kobe 1 and the Off-White Air Jordan 1, the first shoe released from Virgil's "The Ten."

From here colorways flowed. Like an original "away" Lakers color scheme, a green camouflage Undefeated color scheme, and an Off-White Air Jordan 1 Chicago color scheme.

As of now, I feel like so much could be done with this silhouette. This shoe would be projected to carry on the Kobe line and possibly Off-White, with new aesthetics and the best and most innovative technology available for Nike Kobe and Nike basketball consumers everywhere.

R.I.P. Kobe Bryant!

"R.I.P." Virgil Abloh!