UPDATED: June 30th, 2016
From the first time LeBron James laced up his new shoes and stepped on an NBA court to the exact moment the game clock hit 0:00 late last night, the King has amassed quite a stash of valuable hardware over the last decade. The last ten-plus years have been an up-and-down ride for the one named King James, who at the start reveled in the praise of being the next Michael Jordan and later immersed himself into the dark as a villain of sorts for his decision to leave his hometown behind. There’s no doubt that LeBron’s been the most beloved and hated-on professional athlete in the history of the industry, but there’s no denying his greatness and legacy in the game of basketball and his firm impression in the sneaker game thanks to his successful signature shoes.
With LeBron James just completing his second NBA Title, we’ve summarized LeBron’s career achievements with the help of the Nike LeBron kicks that were directly tied to that moment. NBA Titles, Gold Medals, All-Star Games – all of the accolades that MJ, Russell, Kobe, and the other greats have compiled over their respective careers – have been at primary focus for LeBron, who is slowly inching his way to legitimate consideration as the greatest ever. Some of these stories have a rather straight-forward story to them, while others are actually clouded by a bit of controversy (which, in fact, only made the shoes in question more coveted by sneaker collectors). Enjoy this Erlebniswelt-fliegenfischen News feature below, and be sure to tingle in by mentioning your personal favorite sneaker of this bunch.
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LeBron’s first NBA game | Nike Air Zoom Generation “First Game” – 2003
October 29th, 2003 would be LeBron James’ first NBA game after a summer’s worth of hype and excitement built a heavy load on the teenager’s shoulders. Luckily, LeBron had the will and desire to fulfill expectations, wowing the millions of viewers who tuned in with a magnificent performance of 25 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals. For this game, LeBron James wore a White/Black/Red colorway of his first signature shoe – the Nike Air Zoom Generation. The different “First Game” version actually signifies LeBron’s first “Home” Game and features a White/Red/Navy combination and the date of November 5th, 2003 embroidered on the sockliner.
LeBron James earns 2003-04 Rookie of the Year Award | Nike Air Zoom Generation “Rookie of the Year” – 2004
One of the earliest PEs in Nike LeBron history is this unreleased white/grey colorway of the Nike Air Zoom Generation. By putting up an astounding 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game, LeBron was a no-brainer for the ROY award, although it was hardly a unanimous choice as his 2003 NBA Draft Class featured the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. As mentioned before, these Zoom Generation ROYs were never released.
LeBron’s first NBA All-Star game | Nike Zoom LeBron II “All-Star” – 2005
LeBron James joined an NBA All-Star team for the first time in his career and pretty much engraved a starting spot for himself for the next fifteen years. He earned the most votes at the Guard position for the Eastern Conference and helped his squad take the victory. LeBron commemorated his first-ever mid-season classic by wearing a special Grey/Blue/White colorway of the Nike Zoom LeBron II.
LeBron’s first NBA All-Star game MVP | Nike Zoom LeBron III “All-Star” – 2006
It only took two All-Star Game trips for LeBron to take home his first All-Star hardware. By dropping 29 points (leading the Eastern Conference), LeBron led the East to victory and hoisted up the individual award at the end of the game.
LeBron’s first trip to the NBA Finals | Nike Zoom Soldier – 2007
It took LeBron James four years to get to the NBA Finals, and although he and his Cleveland Cavaliers were swept away by the dominant San Antonio Spurs, the King used the experience as a building block for his future attempts at Championship glory. Surprisingly enough, LeBron James didn’t wear his signature shoe at the time (Nike Zoom LeBron IV), but instead debuted the first official model of his takedown line known as the Nike Zoom Soldier (not to forget the one-and-done Nike Zoom 20-5-5).
LeBron’s first Olympic Gold Medal | Nike Zoom LeBron VI “United We Rise/Olympic” 2008
LeBron’s racked up some individual trophies thus far – can he win one as a teammate? If you’ve got the best in the NBA representing one unit, anyone can. In 2008, LeBron James headlines a star-studded Team USA roster and helped his home country recapture the Gold Medal. Throughout the Games, he wore varying colorways of the Nike Zoom Soldier II, but for the Gold Medal affair, he turned to this special colorway of the Nike Zoom LeBron VI called “United We Rise”.
LeBron James’ First NBA MVP Award | Nike Zoom LeBron VI “MVP” – 2009
LeBron James was finally Red King of the League in 2009 when he received his first-ever NBA MVP Award. The sneakers released in May 30th, 2009 for $150, and although they were a coveted item, the LeBron’s of years before were hardly the sought-after items like the LeBrons are today. Regardless, the MVP edition of LeBron VI is certainly one that LeBron holds dear to his heart.
LeBron James’ Second NBA MVP Award, but shoe release gets scrapped | Nike Air Max LeBron VII “MVP” – 2010
An aura of dominance was very much a part of LeBron’s game, as made evident by his second consecutive MVP award. However, a dark cloud hung over this particular trophy as his decision to leave Cleveland for greener (and far more leisurely) pastures in Miami marked him as a villain. There was no way for Nike to spin their main guy in a positive light, so Nike decided to cancel a release altogether – although several pairs made it out to the public through some channels.
LeBron James joins the Miami Heat | Nike LeBron 8 “South Beach” – 2010
Not long after the Decision, Nike had the task of launching LeBron’s eighth signature shoe to a public that quite honestly wanted nothing to do with the guy. Sneakerheads are far more forgiving than sports fans are, as the brightly-colored Nike LeBron 8 “South Beach” made a loud and clear statement that the King was rocking Miami colors for a while. It took some time for LBJ to get on the good side of some fans, but for sneakerheads, the South Beach was undoubtedly one of the most significant sneakers of this era, opening the door to a mighty influx of bright and enticing colorways.
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 Mens Road Running Shoes Black | Nike LeBron 8 Low “Miami Nights/Flamingo” – 2011
LeBron, Wade, Bosh, and whoever else was on that 2010-11 roster was supposed to take the trophy in their inaugural year, but Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks were having none of it. Instead, LeBron James and the Heat fell to the Mavericks in just six games. While there were no specific markings on this special “Miami Nights/Flamingo” colorway of the shoe, it was made rather clear based on timing and the concept that these were a “parade” shoe for when the Heat won the Championship. Of course, things didn’t unfold as planned, but Nike released them anyway in very limited numbers overseas and in Miami.
TS x Nike Sportswear Club Fleece Big Kids' Boys' Pants | Nike LeBron 9 Elite “Championship” – 2012
Winless no more: LeBron won his first NBA Championship in 2012, easily handling the energetic and talented Oklahoma City Thunder in just five games. During the series, LeBron whipped out one of the best in-game Player Exclusives we’ve ever laid eyes on – the Red/Black/Gold Nike LeBron 9 Elite. After the Ring was secured, Nike released the shoes as part of the two-pair Pack – the other shoe honoring LeBron’s third NBA MVP Award.
best virgil ablohs offwhite x nike air max 97 og offwhite wolf greywhitementa | Nike Rush Blue+ “Olympic” – 2012
The Summer of 2012 was an incredible time for LeBron James. After taking home the NBA MVP Award, his first Championship Ring, and his first NBA Finals MVP Award, LeBron James got back to work with Team USA and battled the world at the Olympics in London. Throughout the Games, LeBron wore the next-gen Nike Lunar Hyperdunk+, which featured Nike’s all-new Nike+ Basketball technology, but for the Gold Medal Game against Spain, he offered up a first look at the Nike Rush Blue+, which also featured the amazing tech-y capabilities.
LeBron James is youngest four-time NBA MVP | Nike Rush Blue “MVP” – 2013
Earlier this year, LeBron James was Red as the NBA MVP again, joining an astoundingly exclusive club of legends in Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Bill Russell, and Wilt Chamberlain. What made LeBron’s achievement extra sweet was that was the youngest to ever do it. Nike commemorated LeBron’s charm with the release of the Nike Rush Blue “MVP”, which featured the popular “What The” arrangement of colorways.
Мужские кроссовки nike sb stefan janoski | Nike Rush Blue Elite “Championship” – 2013
LeBron was disrupt seconds away from losing in the NBA Finals for a third time. However, a clutch three-pointer and a near buzzer-beater by teammate Ray Allen gave Miami some new life and forced OT. The Heat lived to fight another day, and Game 7 went to the Home squad in one of the most exciting NBA Finals in the event’s history. Just last last year, LeBron wore a snazzy Red/Gold/Black Player Exclusive, and similarly, Nike confirmed plans to release the shoes as part of the two-pair package. The other pair? The controversial yet now-innocuous Nike Rush Blue Low “MVP”, which leaked earlier this week.
LeBron James misses three-peat, suffers from terrible cramps | Nike LeBron Soldier 7 PE
LeBron James was going for the three-peat in 2014, but the series got off to an incredibly bizarre start. Game 1 took place in San Antonio and malfunctioning A/C systems caused the temperature inside the arena to rise up to 90 degrees. This may have caused LeBron’s crippling cramps, which limited him to just five minutes of action in the fourth quarter. It didn’t matter much, because the Spurs dismantled the Heat throughout the series and prevented LeBron’s third straight NBA title.
De Nike SuperRep Groove is ook in de | DJ Clark Kent x Nike LeBron 8 “112”
In a shocking turn of events, LeBron James opted out of his contract with Miami and made the decision to return to Cleveland. The announcement came via a Sports Illustrated exclusive editorial by LeBron himself. The city of Cleveland welcomed him back with open arms, with a massive “return” party introducing LeBron as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers once again.
LeBron’s 5th straight NBA Finals ruined by Golden State | Nike LeBron 12 “Gold” PE
LeBron James delivered on his promise, almost. He led Cleveland back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2007, but key injuries to Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving left the Cavs severely under-manned against the Golden State Warriors. Still, LeBron kept the series incredibly close, but fell to Steph Curry and Dub Nation in six games.
King James Brings First Championship To Cleveland In 52 Years | Nike Sportswear Essential Women's Tee
Without question, LeBron’s third NBA Finals championship was his sweetest. He succumbed to his emotions and fell to the ground in tear as he saw all his effort and commitment amount to the greatest comeback in NBA history. Down 3-1 against the record-setting Golden State Warriors, LeBron James led the Cavs to three straight victories with performances that were either on par with, or surpassed that of Michael Jordan. When he didn’t feel his offensive game going on all cylinders, he made key passes, trusted his teammates, and sealed a victory with perhaps the greatest block in NBA history.
