The Sneaker Evolution of LeBron James
The 'playoff mode' may not have lasted long, but the perennial sneakers of King James are as truly memorable as his Herculean on-court efforts. The sneakers laced over his 16-year career not only represent some of most triumphant designs over the past two decades, but they have also come to symbolise, reinforce and challenge the very core of the American identity in the 21st century.
Infused with narrative, the Nike LeBron 8 ‘South Beach’ featured a lion on the sneaker’s tongue, representative of his quest to line his fingers with bling.
‘The stalk of the lion and the lion’s hunt really fuelled the change in between the shoes, and how that relates to LeBron changing as he goes through the season,’ designer Jason Petrie said.
Later donated to the Smithsonian Institution, the LeBron 15 ‘Equality’ was not only a return to form for Nike aesthetically, but also sparked a vigorous political consciousness within the NBA that would encourage other players to speak up.
So, raise a glass to one of the most philanthropic ballers and prescient sneaker curators to ever play the game of basketball: LeBron James.
Long live The King.