Nike Basketball pays homage to Kobe Bryant‘s connections to both the European and Asian continents — the Black Mamba spent his childhood in Italy and has enjoyed traveling throughout greater China as an adult — with the introduction of the “Silk” edition of the Nike Kobe X. Inspired by the legendary 4,000-mile “Silk Road” trade route between Europe and Asia (which operated from as early as 210 B.C. through 1453 A.D.), the “Silk” edition of Bryant’s latest signature silhouette takes cues from 1st century silk tapestries, coupling a predominately orange upper with burgundy accents and dashes of metallic gold. Look for the Kobe X “Silk” — as well as matching Elite socks — to be available from Nike.com and Nike Basketball retailers beginning March 21.