Although Gilbert Arenas and Steve Nash were among players to play in low-top shoes, Kobe Bryant spearheaded a revolution in 2009 with the release of the Nike Zoom Kobe IV. Bryant’s input in the design of the model led to the creation of a shoe that afforded him flexibility.
Just as important to the Los Angeles Lakers legend was that it didn’t come at the sacrifice of support or stability. The Zoom Kobe IV went on to become one of Nike’s most heralded basketball shoes, as players across the league tabbed them as their footwear of choice.
As Bryant’s signature line later shifted away from the low-top construction before returning to it, Paul George has seemingly carried the torch in that design aspect.