These Nike Kobe Sneakers Reference a Classic Colorway — But Don’t Expect Them to Be Released

Although Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks suffered a disappointing overtime loss to the Boston Celtics Tuesday, the NBA All-Star was a key factor in keeping things competitive, and he did so in style.

For the second game in a row, Brunson laced up a special pair of sneakers: a Nike Kobe 5 Protro “The Joke’s on You” PE. Brunson debuted the look on court Sunday night against the Phoenix Suns, his first game in a month after being sidelined with an ankle injury. The Knicks star then shared a closer glimpse at the sneakers before lacing them up once more during Tuesday’s OT loss to the Celtics.

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Brunson’s exclusive Kobe 5 Protro features a playful purple upper that’s accented with neon green and red for colors that resemble The Joker, the infamous supervillain from the “Batman” franchise. The connection is also alluded to in the sneaker’s “The Joke’s on You” nickname. And if the color combination looks at all familiar, it may be because similar inspirations have been executed on Nike Kobe sneakers in the past. One of the Kobe 5’s most memorable styles is its 2019 Joker-themed “Chaos” colorway, and the look was also carried over to a 2011 Kobe 6. 

Unfortunately, based on Brunson’s Instagram caption, fans shouldn’t get their hopes up over this pair actually being released. While it’s not entirely unheard of — PJ Tucker’s Kobe 5 Protro PE was released in 2020 — instances of player exclusives becoming public releases are few and far between. Nonetheless, FN will keep readers updated on any potential launch developments. 

In the meantime, there are plenty of Kobe-related releases for fans to look forward to. April 13, which Nike has designated as Mamba Day, will see the release of Nike Kobe 8 Protro “What the Kobe” as well as a wider drop of the “Dodgers” Nike Kobe 6 Protro. Further out, the Nike Kobe 9 Elite Protro “What the Kobe” is expected in May and Vanessa Bryant has teased other upcoming styles including a “Mambacita” Nike Kobe 9 EM Protro, “CHBL” Nike Kobe 4 Protro and a new Kobe-branded Air Force 1 Low.