Kobe Bryant legacy featured in Gordon Hayward story and Nike 'Dodgers' sneaker launch

Former NBA forward Gordon Hayward recounted a workout session with Kobe Bryant, describing how the five-time champion introduced him to the "Mamba Mentality" that shaped Hayward's 14‑year career. Hayward also recalled facing Bryant in the Lakers' 2016 farewell game, where Bryant scored 60 points at age 37.

Nike announced the release of the Kobe 5 Protro "Dodgers" colorway, a basketball shoe inspired by Bryant's connection to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The sneaker, priced at $190 for adults, drops on August 15 via the SNKRS app and features the team's road‑uniform colors, Bryant's jersey numbers 8 and 24, and design cues referencing both basketball and baseball.