Vanessa Bryant Shares Nostalgic Kobe Bryant Video Amidst Honoring Year Of The Snake With Sneaker Tribute

The late, great Kobe Bryant had one of the deepest connections with China among NBA Players. This connection earned him millions of devoted fans and the status of a basketball icon in the country. Bryant’s relationship with China was built through his on-court greatness, personal visits, cultural engagement, and charitable efforts, and it has continued even five years after his death in the Year of the Snake. His wife, Vanessa Bryant, honored the special occasion on Instagram.

Kobe first wished the Chinese fans the Year of the Snake in 2013, which was the year of the water snake. Since this year is the year of the wooden snake, Vanessa Bryant shared a story on Instagram showing the video in which Kobe initially wished his fans. In the video, Kobe said, “I’m Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. A snake symbolizes intelligence, health, and luck. I wish you all a happy and healthy Year of the Snake.”

For the people of China, this carries deep symbolism, reflecting wisdom, transformation, and intuition. The snake is one of twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac. But how did Kobe’s legacy get intertwined with China?

His Mamba Mentality: the relentless pursuit of greatness resonated with many Chinese fans who admired his work ethic, discipline, and never-give-up attitude. He played a key role in NBA China’s expansion, helping make basketball one of the country’s most popular sports. Kobe made many visits to China, including with the USA basketball team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. After that, he traveled to China almost every summer because of promotional events, basketball camps, and fan meet-and-greets.

Kobe’s love for the Chinese culture was outlined through his respect and the designs on his sneakers, which were exemplary. He had a few collaborations with Nike, showcasing the same.

Nike’s ‘Year of the Snake’ releases with Kobe

Nike released multiple sneakers under the “Year of the Snake” theme with Kobe Bryant, with shoes such as the Kobe 8 getting different colorways and a very special Kobe Zoom Huarache 2K4 edition.

Nike first released the Nike Zoom Huarache 2K4 “Year of the Snake” donning the black, gold, and red colorway. The 2K4 Huarache was on Kobe’s signature sneakers before he got his own line. The sneaker featured a black leather upper with gold detailing, symbolizing fortune and success in Chinese culture. Nike then released the Kobe 8 “Year of the Snake”, the Red & Black Colorway, it featured an Engineered Mesh with a black snakeskin pattern. It also featured a black midsole and gold swoosh. It also featured Nike’s proprietary Lunarlon cushioning.

And now, in 2025, Nike released the Kobe 5 Protro “Year of the Mamba” sneakers on January 18 with a snake design and a bold mix of University red, black, and metallic gold. These colors reflect luxury and power while paying tribute to Bryant’s career and spirit, as per Sneakerbar Detroit.

The legacy of the Kobe “Year of the Snake” sneakers is immense. It helped Kobe’s connection with Chinese culture. They helped reinforce the Mamba Mentality, linking it to the Snake’s symbolism of wisdom, power, and renewal. They have become a coveted collector’s item and a testament to his popularity.