Kobe's new shoe may not have the support most of us look for

Here is a look at the Kobe IV, the new shoe from Nike and the Lakers superstar. Bryant will wear the creation for the first time Dec. 19 against Miami.

Wayne Dreh of ESPN says Bryant has horrified modern-day purists with the low-cut design .

...Kobe Bryant understands the backlash. He knows there will be doctors, trainers, coaches, fans and even some fellow NBA stars who will look at his latest signature shoe from Nike, see that it's -- gasp -- a low-top and believe the Los Angeles Lakers guard has completely lost his mind.

But there was a method to Bryant's madness. He wanted the lightest basketball shoe possible and he got one that is 11.6 ounces. For those of us who don't want to do the math or the physics that is 20% lighter than an average Nike shoe.