Kobe Bryant's adidas Crazy 8s From the 1998 NBA All-Star Game Are Up for Auction

A pair of game-worn sneakers has just surfaced on Heritage Auctions, but these aren’t from just any game, they’re from the 1998 showdown between Bryant and at the former’s very first NBA All-Star Game.

In 1998, Michael Jordan was winding down for his second retirement, whereas 19-year-old Kobe Bryant was winding up for what would be a dominating 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Come the All-Star game, Bryant was ready to prove himself against the greatest player of all time, as he was the youngest to ever be selected for an All-Star game. MJ was more than happy to step up to the challenge; however, the only thing standing in his way to putting the ‘little Laker boy’ in his place was that he had the flu. Nonetheless, in what should be called his second Flu Game, MJ ended up leading the East to a win, but not without Kobe pushing MJ to the limit with eighteen points, six rebounds, and two steals. In the end, MJ kept his status, and Kobe proved he was the heir apparent to the GOAT throne.

The pair up for grabs is photo matched and has the appropriate evidence of the wear and tear an All-Star game causes. They are a sample pair in a size 14, and only one of the insoles remains. The number 8 is embroidered in Lakers colours near the toebox, which was his original jersey number before he moved on to the iconic 24.

The bidding is currently at a neat $45,000, but the estimated value is upwards of $150,000. Interestingly, the pair previously sold in 2022 for $87,000 via PWCC. Bidding closes on May 18, 2024.