More than 20 years ago, when the term "signature sneaker" was synonymous with Michael Jordan, Adidas signed a quartet of young phenoms in an attempt to jump-start its fledgling basketball line. The face of that movement was Kobe Bryant, who by virtue of his new Hollywood home with the Los Angeles Lakers and his fresh-faced interest in marketing himself had undeniable star power potential.
Bryant's time with Adidas didn't last, as he exited the deal in 2002 and played the entire 2002-03 season without a sneaker endorsement deal before joining Nike, where he felt he belonged all along.