Alright, let’s talk about this “kobe 18” thing. It wasn’t really a plan, you know? Just sort of happened. I was cleaning out the garage, found an old basketball, scuffed up but still good. Got me thinking about playing again, just shooting hoops like I used to.
And then, somehow, Kobe came to mind. Not just the player, but the gear. The shoes. I remembered seeing something online, maybe a forum or a blog post, mentioning “Kobe 18”. Sounded like a new model, maybe? My old basketball shoes were completely busted, soles flapping off.
Getting Started
So, I decided, why not? Let’s see if I can find these “Kobe 18s”. First step, obviously, was hitting the web. Typed it in. Not much came up. Some weird links, fan forums speculating. No official release, nothing solid. That felt strange. Usually, new shoe stuff is plastered everywhere.
This is where things got a bit messy. I spent maybe an hour just clicking around. Found some articles talking about Kobe’s legacy, his shoe lines, the Protros. But nothing concrete on an “18”. Maybe I misread? Or maybe it was just some nickname someone made up.
The Search Continues
Didn’t give up right away. Thought, okay, maybe local stores? Went down to the mall. Hit up the big sports stores first. Asked the staff about “Kobe 18s”. They just gave me blank looks. One guy was kinda helpful, showed me the current basketball shoe wall. Lots of Jordans, LeBrons, Durants. No Kobes, not new ones anyway.
I felt a bit silly asking for something that might not even exist. It reminded me of this project I worked on years ago, chasing a bug that turned out to be a misunderstanding of the requirements. Wasted a whole week back then.
Found myself checking out some retro stuff instead. Old designs bring back memories, right? But nothing really grabbed me. It wasn’t just about any shoe, it was this specific idea, this “Kobe 18”, stuck in my head.
A Different Find
Left the mall kinda deflated. Grabbed a coffee. Sat there thinking, what was I really looking for? Was it the shoe, or just… something else? The feeling of getting back on the court? The connection to an player I admired?
On the way home, I drove past this smaller, independent sneaker shop. The kind that has older stuff, collectibles. On a whim, I pulled over and went inside.
Didn’t even ask about the “18s” this time. Just started browsing. And there, tucked away on a shelf, was a pair of Kobe A.D.s. Not brand new, but in great shape. Tried them on. They fit perfectly. Felt good. Supportive, light.
Wrapping Up
So, I bought them. Not the mythical “Kobe 18s” I started looking for. But they felt right. Took them to the court behind my house the next day. Shot around for an hour. Felt good. The shoes were great. My shot was rusty as hell, but it was fun.
Guess the whole point wasn’t finding a specific model number. It was about the process. Getting back into something I enjoyed. And the shoes? They’re just part of it. Still don’t know if “Kobe 18” is a real thing or not. Doesn’t really matter now. Got my shoes, got back on the court. That’s the win.
