Witness the starting point of the legend! Kobe s first start in his career, he bought a high price of $240,000

When the first friction between the purple gold boots and Staples floor passed through 28 years and turned into a $240,000 hammer sound, these sneakers that carried the turning point of Kobe Bryant's career completed the value certification across time and space under the spotlight of Sotheby's Auction. On January 29, 1997, every footprint that the 18-year-old and 158-day boy took at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, now turned into a shining star in the history of collection.

The picture comes from the Internet

This regular season against the Mavericks was originally just a common battle in a long season, but because of Phil Jackson's bold decision, it became a node to rewrite history. The rookie defender wearing the No. 8 jersey replaced the injured Cebaros as the starter. When the broadcast camera swept across the Lakers bench, the boy's tight lips and burning eyes had already predicted the direction of the story. Behind the comprehensive data of the adidas EQT Top Ten 2000 boots that collided with the floor 11 times in 41 minutes, 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block is the beginning of the ruling league in the next 20 years. The pictures are from the Internet: The handmade stitching of the words "KB8" is still clearly visible, and the sweat stains and wear precipitated in the carbon fiber pattern have become the token of a quarter of a century. The fine UV anti-counterfeiting mark on the PSA/DNA certification certificate not only verifies the authenticity of the signature on the tongue, but also freezes the rustling sound of oily markers passing through the leather in the 1997 winter night locker room forever. In the field of sports collection, the first starting equipment has always been the holy grail that defines the career trajectory of the star. These pair of combat boots happen to be the origin of the superstar transformation curve.

Compared with the 2013 "Achilles Tendon Battle" boots sold in February this year, the transaction price of $240,000 seems to be a little restrained, but it implies a deeper value logic. If the former carries the masterpiece of the tragic hero, then the 1997 boots seal the youth of infinite possibilities. At a time when sneaker culture is gradually evolving into an investment target, this lot rarely maintains its purely commemorative attributes - it does not have any replica version or joint premium, but simply witnesses the decisive moment of jumping from the bench to the start.

The picture comes from the Internet

Behind the bidding game between collectors is the eternal pursuit of the concrete carrier of the "Mamba Spirit" in the basketball world. These shoes measure the pace of rookie Kobe's breakthrough defense, and have been stained with Champagne after his first start-up victory. In the digital age, they eventually became an emotional bond connecting two generations of fans. When a new generation of fans chases digital collections through NFTs, the existence of these physical boots itself is the best annotation of the material and cultural heritage of basketball.

From the streets of Philadelphia to the Staples Dome, Kobe's career was like a sophisticated montage, and that Dallas night in 1997 was the first climax. The combat boots lying quietly in the bulletproof display cabinet are not only a measuring instrument for the commercial value of basketball, but also a living fossil of sports spirit. When the auctioneer’s little hammer hits $240,000, the entire basketball world is listening to the double echo of history and future.