On day of his sneaker release, P.J. Tucker remembers Kobe Bryant

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you, man,” Tucker wrote. “Wearing your shoes always makes me feel like you’re still here…”

On Friday, Sept. 25, a special P.J. Tucker edition of the retro Nike Kobe 5 Protro sneaker officially hit the retail market.

Long known as the NBA’s unofficial “Sneaker King,” the 35-year-old Tucker recently shared his great joy at the news of having his own customized version of one of his favorite basketball shoes of all-time.

“It’s my true dream,” the Houston Rockets veteran told Complex.

On Friday’s release day, Tucker took to Instagram to compose a heartfelt message of gratitude to the late Los Angeles Lakers legend, who inspired the original shoe when it was released in 2009-10. Tucker wrote:

Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you, man. Wearing your shoes always makes me feel like you’re still here, even if just in spirit.

Nah, this isn’t a sad post at all. Today, I’m smiling hard [because] one of my dreams became a reality, and I’m forever grateful for everything, big homie. Thank you. 🙏🏽🖤🐍 #mambaforever

After the sneaker, a second photo shows Tucker (then with the Phoenix Suns) embracing Bryant after his final career game versus Kobe in 2016.

Earlier this year, Tucker joined teammates James Harden and Russell Westbrook for a day trip to Los Angeles for Bryant’s memorial service. Even though they had a game in Houston that night (and their flight arrived back only minutes before tipoff), Tucker said he had to be there.

It meant everything. For me, it was a no-brainer. We had a chance to actually be there. One of the best memorials I’ve ever been to.

It was amazing all the love, and the outpouring from the fans. Everything around the whole event was amazing.

It was super emotional for everybody in there. To see how strong his family was, to see literally everybody from all walks of his life being there, it was amazing.

In postgame comments from a Jan. 26 game just hours after Bryant’s shocking death, Tucker called it one of the toughest days of his life.

During his legendary 20-year career with the Lakers, Bryant was a five-time NBA champion; an 18-time All-Star; a two-time Olympic gold medalist; and an MVP, among his numerous accolades.

Bryant is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and three other daughters. He was 41 years old at the time of his January death.

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