The Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch” Is Releasing On Christmas Eve

Teased back in May, images of an early-version of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch” have hit the Internet ahead of the pair’s rumored early 2021 launch.

Debuted on December 25th, 2010, the “Green Apple/Volt/Crimson/Black” proposition immediately captured the attention of hoopers and sneaker enthusiasts everywhere as they watched the late Kobe Bryant duke it out against LeBron James and his then-Miami Heat squad. As if the sixth Nike Kobe model’s high-vis palette wasn’t enough to command attention, the Los Angeles Lakers legend donned his festive pair with red laces, which further drove Dr. Seuss’ “The Grinch” theme home. The molded heel structure, chiseled sole unit and upper’s snake-inspired scales all indulge in shades of green that still captivate collectors 10 years later, so much so that after-market prices for the original Kobe “Grinch” have sky-rocketed over the last few years. At a glance, the forthcoming reissue doesn’t feature any drastic modifications, but as the release is a “Protro” (read: performance retro), Zoom Air unit positioning, outsole patterns and other performance-related details may have been tweaked.

Enjoy an in-hand look at the long-anticipated Kobe IV Protro here below, as you wait for an official Nike SNKRS launch.

For more from the Swoosh, check out the Cactus Plant Flea Market x Nike Dunk Low arriving on November 18th.

Updated November 27th, 2020: The Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch” will release on December 24th, 2020.

Images: @dj_sneakerhead