The Conductor: Kobe's Final Performance

20-year pro basketball career of Kobe Bryant was concluded last night in Los Angeles, Bryant playfully orchestrates a symphony of cheers and jeers in Nike’s new film, “The Conductor,” which illustrates the athlete’s polarizing effect among players, coaches and fans, whom many have loved and others have loved to hate.
Cameos in the new film, directed by Mark Romanek and developed in partnership with Wieden+Kennedy Portland, include Hall-of-Fame coach Phil Jackson, 10-time All-Star and Los Angeles native Paul Pierce, former world champion Rasheed Wallace, a flustered Benny the Bull and passionate fans representing nine basketball teams.
“The Conductor” continues the love-hate theme surrounding Bryant,established by Nike Basketball last Thursday and leading into Mamba Day today. This tribute illustrates how hate has manifested into respect and admiration for Bryant. It began with Nike athletes across multiple sports wearing black and gold shoes as a symbolic tribute to Bryant’s golden career fading to black.

The Conductor completes his final symphony.
Available for a limited time beginning at tipoff of the Black Mamba’s final game tonight, the KOBE 11 Mamba Day iD celebrates Bryant’s career by the numbers. Fans can also give their final word to Bryant through the Mamba Day Generator, which overlays the user’s selected farewell phrase on a photo that can then be shared on social media.

Lastly, the full KOBE 11 Black Mamba Pack is available on eBay, with each of the 13 shoes autographed by Bryant. Auction proceeds benefit The Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation.

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Love or Hate, Tell Kobe How You Feel

Throughout his career, Kobe Bryant has amassed top accolades and extraordinary stats. He has also attracted countless fans — and critics. As the years mounted, so did the messages of love and hate from opponents, teammates, cross-sport athletes, fans, coaches and more.

Now, as we approach Bryant’s final game, fellow Nike athletes pay tribute to the Black Mamba in a final video fueled by these conflicting passions.

Bryant calls on everyone to give their final word through the Mamba Day Generator, which overlays the user’s selected farewell word on a photo that can then be shared on social media.

Available for a limited time beginning at tipoff of his final game on April 13, the KOBE 11 Mamba Day iD celebrates Bryant’s career by the numbers. It's also open for personal interpretation, allowing athletes and fans to stamp their departing word for Bryant on the inner tongue.

The final NIKEiD shoe of Bryant’s professional career will feature a graphic highlighting eight notable stats that have fueled the love and hate, including: the dates of his first and last games (11.01.96 and 4.13.16), five World Championships, four All-Star MVP awards, 18 All-Star appearances, 81 points scored in a game, 20 years played in the league and 24 for his jersey number.

 

The black and gold Nike product seen on athletes worldwide leads into the Mamba Day celebration on April 13, when Los Angeles hosts Utah in Bryant’s final professional game.  

The 34 Nike athletes featured in the video include: Kyrie Irving, Russell Wilson, Allyson Felix, Elena Delle Donne, Odell Beckham Jr., Paul George, Rafael Nadal, Paul Rodriguez, Natalie Achonwa, Kirani James, Michelle Wie, Richard Sherman, LeBron James, Neymar Jr., Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Phil Jackson, Sanya Richards-Ross, Tiger Woods, Clay Matthews, NaVorro Bowman, Brooks Koepka, Kevin Durant, Rob Gronkowski, Ali Krieger, Rory McIlroy, Gerard Pique, Eric Koston, Shao Ting, Mascherano, Yi Jianlian, Andres Iniesta, Marcus Mariota and Mo Farah.

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Kobe 11 BHM 4468 Shoe Embodies the Power of Courage

“Be Courageous,” composed by two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Robert Glasper, celebrates the full breadth of Kobe Bryant’s 20-year career, encapsulating its struggles and soaring high points. The above film explores the Robert Glasper Trio’s creative process and inspiration for the song.

The new “Be Courageous” track includes the 4/4 and 6/8 time signatures and symbolically goes beyond jazz.

Glasper’s choice of 4/4 and 6/8 time signatures, which define the track’s structure, goes deeper than jazz convention. The numbers align with a significant event in history: the assassination of a great leader on April 4, 1968 (4/4/68) in Memphis, Tennessee, at the Lorraine Motel. Additionally, Glasper draws inspiration from the city’s rich musical heritage — including pioneering labels like Stax Records, whose artists frequented the Lorraine Motel, which itself was a catalyst for community growth and support.

Two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Robert Glasper.
The Robert Glasper Trio at work in the studio.
Vicente Archer, bassist for the Robert Glasper Trio.
Damon Reid on drums.


The story also inspires the KOBE 11 BHM 4468 shoe, which features an emblematic record on the tongue and other details connecting to the musical storyline. The shoe, part of the larger 2016 Black History Month Collection, isavailable now.
Furthermore, fans are encouraged to submit their favorite highlights of Bryant’s career in the comment section on the Nike Basketball soundcloud.com page after listening to the music score from the Robert Glasper Trio.
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