Nike Releases Kobe 11 ‘Achilles Heel’; Honoring ‘The Superhuman Effort That Resulted In His Injury’

Basketball fans will greatly miss the presence of iconic NBA superstar Kobe Bryant on the hardcourt as he retires from playing professionally.

However, they have one last thing to remember him by with Nike releasing the Kobe 11.

According to Australia Network the acclaimed shoe company, Nike, recently released the Kobe 11, which was their homage to Bryant being compared to the Greek warrior Achilles that inspired the shoes's concept.

It was stated on the official website of Nike that the design and concept of the recently unveiled Kobe 11 was a tribute to "the superhuman effort that resulted in his (Kobe) injury."

"Like the ancient Greek warrior, Kobe was nearly invincible for most of his career," the company posted. "This collection recalls the superhuman effort that resulted in his injury- and his relentless drive that followed."

The source noted that the Nike-released, Kobe 11, was titled the "Achilles Heel" as it featured a graphic representation of the Greek warrior on the right heel and a four-stitch mark to symbolize the four feet of thread used when the basketball player had an Achilles surgery back in 2013.

The term Achilles heel is an idiomatic expression that references to other attributes or facets of a person that can potentially result to one's downfall, despite the individual's overall strength.

It was reported that Nike's newly released Kobe 11 features the company's signature Nike Flyknit technology that incorporates thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) yarn for superior strength, which is something the brand's shoe can boast as being the first to feature the new iteration of Flyknit, according to Sneaker Bar Detriot.

Kobe stated that he has "obsessed the details" of his shoes.

"Throughout my time with Nike, I've obsessed the details of my shoes. For the Kobe 11, we worked to perfect Flyknit for basketball," the Los Angeles Laker star said.