Kobe Bryant left an indelible mark on the game of basketball. He was one of the greatest players to ever step on the court and inspired generations of basketball players. One player that Kobe had left an impact on was 2006 Finals MVP Dwyane Wade. Wade was drafted in 2003, 7 years after Kobe made his way to the league.

Wade and Kobe drew instant comparisons because they were both explosive scorers with elite defense. Both also won championships with Shaquille O’Neal. Every time Wade faced Kobe, the competitive energy was on another level. Wade just wanted to play against his idol and do well.

To further memorialize Kobe, Dwyane Wade’s next shoe launch will pay tribute to the Lakers legend. His ‘Way of Wade’ shoes will be launching Kobe-inspired designs. There are three colorways they are available in. Purple and gold, violet and purple, and white and purple. The tongue of the shoes have the numbers 24 on one and 8 on the other, with both having halos above it. The insole is inscribed with the message “Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses” because that’s what Mamba Mentality was all about.

Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade

After Bryant’s untimely death, Dwyane Wade was quite candid about how he felt about Kobe. He put up an Instagram story immediately after where he said this felt like a bad dream. The former finals MVP went on TNT and spoke to the Inside the NBA crew about his relationship with Kobe.

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He narrated the story of his first game against Kobe. Wade guarded Kobe in the fourth quarter and in the first play, he managed to strip the ball away from him and nail a floater on the other end.  had 10 points in that game, but this play was so crazy he felt the need to call everyone he knew and tell them about it.

Everyone has felt the pain of Kobe passing for multiple reasons. First, it seems surreal to have lost such a contemporary legend this early. Second, it is never easy to watch a legend like him pass. The Way of Wade shoes by Li-Ning in honor of Kobe seems like a great way to memorialize him.