The majority of the game is played below the rim rather than above and Kobe’s no different. Yeah, he used to get up in his younger days but the now 32-year-old KB24 does much more damage with an arsenal of fadeaways, threes and pump fakes. Still, he can rise when his heart so desires, as Aaron Gray and the Hornets found out on Friday.

More importantly, the photos give a clear look at the purple gradient ZKVI’s. Very cold. And yes, a large part of me watches games just to check out footwear. Have you not seen the pearly white Kobe VI’s Rondo’s been wearing? Pardon my Southern but those things are cleaner than a broke d*ck dog.

Previously: 2011 NBA Playoffs: 10 Things To Watch