Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant's new shoe is inspired by Michael Jordan and sharks

Published Apr. 26, 2016 12:26 p.m. ET

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Andrew Lynch

His illustrious NBA career is over, but the signature shoes are going to keep coming for Kobe Bryant.

With his latest Kobe 11 colorway, which is set to drop May 5, Bryant has partnered with famous Nike designer Tinker Hatfield to pay homage to the man who set the standard for Kobe -- Michael Jordan.

Hatfield is the mastermind behind Jordan's own signature brand of sneakers, which Bryant says he idolized almost as much as the man himself growing up.

Via Nike.com:

Naturally, then, this Kobe 11 "Tinker Muse" takes several design cues from those Jordan IIIs. But that's not their only inspiration. According to a cartoon from Hatfield, this shoe is also inspired by sharks.

Yes, sharks -- because Kobe Bryant cannot stop comparing himself to animals, apparently.

This Kobe 11 is a good-looking shoe, but the beauty is really in the details. The non-stitch heel features a Nike swoosh logo like the Jordan IIIs, a departure from the typical logo on the back of Kobe 11s:

And the inside of the tongue features facsimile autographs from Kobe and Tinker:

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