Jaylen Brown Wore Custom Kobe Sneakers to Honor Bill Russell

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown paid tribute to Bill Russell by wearing custom Kobe sneakers.

If there is such a thing as a statement victory in the preseason, the Boston Celtics made it by defeating the Charlotte Hornets 127-99 on Thursday night. Celtics guard Jaylen Brown led the way with 20 points and used sneakers to make a statement of his own.

Brown is a sneaker free agent and wears whatever footwear he wants on the hardwood. Wise beyond his years, the 26-year-old often wears Nike basketball shoes with custom paints jobs to honor the late-great Celtics legend, Bill Russell. Below is a detailed look at Brown's hoop shoes and a complete breakdown for fans wanting to learn more. 

Nike Kobe 6 Protro

A detailed look at Jaylen Brown's sneakers / © Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

During his impressive performance, Brown debuted a new pair of custom kicks that come from the signature sneaker line of Kobe Bryant. The Nike Kobe 6 Protro 'Grinch' colorway was released in limited quantities for $190 in December 2020. The shoes now cost more than $700 on most resale websites.

Brown's game-worn shoes would break the bank. The Swoosh logo was replaced with a black and gold graphic that highlighted the unbelievable basketball resume of Russell. Phrases like "5x NBA MVP," "963 Regular Season Games Played," and other incredible statistics from Russell's unparalleled career appear on the medial and lateral sides of the shoes.

It is tough to improve upon one of the most loved basketball shoes from the Nike Kobe signature line, but Brown found a way to do it. It is only preseason, and the perennial All-Star is already in playoff mode. Stay tuned to FanNationKicks.com for all your sneaker news.

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