Nike Zoom Kobe IV – Charlotte Hornets 1996 Draft

Aaron Hope April 15, 2009

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Looking at these, you can’t help but wonder, “What if?” What if Kobe Bryant wasn’t traded from the Charlotte Hornets to the LA Lakers on draft day back in 1996. What if he never paired with Shaq to form one of the most dominant duos in NBA history? Would the Hornets have ever left Charlotte for New Orleans? Where the Bobcats franchise even exist? These questions are just for fun, but these shoes are the real deal.

The Nike Zoom Kobe IV appears here in a Charlotte Hornets-inspired colourway in honor of Kobe’s first NBA team. He never suited up for Charlotte, but these kicks show us how good that could have looked. It’s especially nifty how the purple Flywire on this pair’s side panels matches the Hornets’ old pinstriped jerseys, while ‘6.11.96’ on the heel reminds us of the fateful day that Charlotte effectively traded its franchise away. These joints should see a wider release later this summer and you can get yours in US size 9.5 from Marquee Sole today.

zoom-kobe-iv-hornets-02 — Nike Zoom Kobe IV - Charlotte Hornets 1996 Draft

zoom-kobe-iv-hornets-03 — Nike Zoom Kobe IV - Charlotte Hornets 1996 Draft

zoom-kobe-iv-hornets-04 — Nike Zoom Kobe IV - Charlotte Hornets 1996 Draft

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[If kicks below are a random assortment, desired kicks are not currently available on eBay.]