“If you weren’t in on them for the last few years,” says DeRozan, a longtime Kobe model enthusiast, “you’re having a tough time.” Kobes are now considered “deadstock,” taking them into a vintage market that ups the ante. NBA players have chased deadstock shoes for years, often to add to their collections to wear or display off the court. Miami Heat forward P.J. Tucker is known for wearing high-end vintage models in games, but he’s an outlier.