[asa]B00JCEBCUC[/asa]
The shoes are the latest in a long line designed by Nike and Bryant, but as yet these are the first to show any kind of classical influence.

Described by Nike as “Bryant’s most innovative shoe to-date, featuring three leading technologies: Flyknit, Flywire and Lunarlon.”
As for the name, the inspiration for the shoes apparently came from the composer’s Symphony No. 9 in particular: “The Kobe 9 Elite Low Beethoven pays tribute to the German composer and pianist, and more specifically the power of his Ninth Symphony from the early 1800s. The grey color of this colorway represents Beethoven’s timeless quality.”

It’s not the first time, though, that Bryant has declared his love for Beethoven. Himself a keen learning pianist, Bryant has previously stated that he finds the composer’s Moonlight Sonata especially relaxing.