On Christmas Day 2010, the Los Angeles Lakers’ star Kobe Bryant stepped onto the floor of Staples Center wearing a pair of bright green shoes that would instantly become a holiday icon.
The Birth of the Green Mamba
Nike’s Kobe line had already produced some of the most celebrated signature shoes in basketball history, but the green variant-later nicknamed the Grinch-stood apart. Dubbed the Green Mamba, the shoe combined two-toned green scales with a red logo on the tongue, a subtle nod to the holiday spirit. The design’s playful color scheme and the holiday-themed red logo earned the shoe the nickname Grinch among fans.
Christmas Day 2010: A Game-Changing Moment
The first time the Grinch kicks hit the court was during the Lakers’ Christmas Day showdown against the newly formed Miami Heat Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The Lakers wore white uniforms, the Heat played in road-red, and Kobe’s green shoes added a festive splash to the arena. Despite the visual spectacle, the game itself was a disappointment for the Lakers: Bryant scored 17 points, and the Heat won 96-80.
Fans who watched the game courtside received a gift bag that included the now-iconic shoes, cementing the sneakers’ status as a collector’s item from the very beginning.
Pricing and Initial Release
Nike released the Kobe 6 Grinch on the very day of the game. The shoes carried an initial retail price of $130 and were available to the public that same evening.
Nike’s Relaunch Campaign
A decade later, Nike revisited the iconic colorway. On December 24, 2020, the company relaunched the Kobe 6 Protro Grinch for $180. The re-release was part of a broader strategy to bring back beloved Kobe 6 models:
- Kobe 6 All-Star Protro – released in March 2021 at $190
- Kobe 6 White Del Sol Protro – released in June 2021 at $180
- Kobe 6 Protro Reverse – a color-inverted version of the original Grinch, released in December 2023 at $190
In 2024, Nike expanded the Grinch legacy into football with a pair of Kobe Grinch cleats and a mismatched set-one green and one red-sold for $230.
Current Market Value
Over the past five years, the resale value of the original Kobe 6 Grinch has surged. Today, a pair typically fetches an asking price between $600 and $1,500 on most retail sites, more than tripling the original retail price.
Legacy and Recent Partnership
In March 2022, Kobe’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, announced a new partnership with Nike. The deal followed a prior incident where a tribute shoe for Kobe and their daughter Gigi went online without her permission. Under the new agreement, all proceeds from Gigi’s shoes will be donated to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.
The partnership underscores the enduring commercial and philanthropic impact of the Kobe brand.
Key Takeaways
- The Kobe 6 Grinch debuted on Christmas Day 2010, earning the nickname Grinch for its green-and-red design.
- Nike relaunched the Grinch and other Kobe 6 colorways between 2020 and 2023, with prices ranging from $180 to $190.
- The original shoes now command resale prices between $600 and $1,500, reflecting their status as a coveted collector’s item.
Closing
From a holiday-themed sneaker debut to a multi-year relaunch strategy and a thriving resale market, Kobe Bryant’s green shoes have left an indelible mark on sneaker culture. As the Lakers return to the Christmas stage this season, the legacy of the Grinch continues to resonate with fans and collectors alike.
