In case you missed it, the one and only LeBron James joined Mike Golic Jr. and Mike Golic Sr. this morning on GoJo and Golic to talk about basketball, playing with his son and his top picks for NFL Week 3.
Not only is LeBron one of the greatest basketball players, one of the greatest athletes of all-time but he has one of the greatest signature sneaker lines of all-time as well! LeBron is 22 models into his line with Nike, putting him in rarified air with really only his Airness himself, Michael Jordan. So given all these models to choose from, which are the top five? No two lists will likely be the same, but let me go ahead and share my personal list of the best LeBron models of all-time (although I’m not considering side models such as the NXXT, Zoom Soldier, Witness or 20-5-5).
5. LeBron 9
Originally released: 2011
Designed by Jason Petrie, the LeBron 9 was intended to maximize “the strengths of a triple threat player like LeBron,” according to Nike. Combining Flywire and Hyperfuse technology with Max Air 180 in the heel and Zoom Air cushioning in the forefoot, the Nike Basketball Senior Product Line Manager Charles Williams says in the video embedded above that the shoe was designed around the notion of being “unapologetically innovative.” But that innovation didn’t come at the cost of a striking appearance as evidenced by models such as the Big Bang, South Beach and perhaps most notably the Watch The Throne.
Of course, the LeBron 9 is also noteworthy as one of the “Elite” colorways of the LeBron 9 was the shoe King James wore as he won his first NBA title as well as another MVP. Combine striking looks, technology and championship glory and you get a model to remember in LeBron’s long sneaker history.
4. LeBron 7
Originally released: 2009
Introduced following LeBron’s first MVP season, Petrie said in the video above that the LeBron 7 was designed to make a statement and make a statement it did.
Incredibly light thanks to the use of Flywire technology in the upper and the first model in the LeBron line to feature a full length Max Air bubble, the LeBron 7 didn’t sacrifice aesthetics in the name of performance either. This is evidenced in models such as the Christmas, All-Star, Red Carpet, MVP and Christ The King colorways. LeBron balled out once again in the 7, earning his second-straight MVP while the shoes on his feet are a true product of the moment in time in which they were released.
3. LeBron 15
Originally released: 2018
The LeBron 15 was a stark departure from the models that preceded it. The first shoe to introduce a new form of Flyknit dubbed Battleknit, which was designed specifically for LeBron and Nike said delivered stretchy support, ultra-lightweight flexibility and a locked-in feel. The LeBron 15 also was the first shoe to combine Zoom Air inside a Max Air bubble, which helped soften hard landings and enabled quick moves for powerful players, according to Nike.
Petrie said, according to Nike, that he and LeBron wanted the design to be “aggressive, stylish, and modern, yet classic.” That led to a strikingly different design, especially on select models that were part of the LeBron Watch series. What was the LeBron Watch series? It was a run of shoes where LeBron took inspiration from Nike’s back catalog, including some his childhood favorites, to plus up his latest signature model. The models included in the LeBron Watch were the Diamond Turf, the Air Max 95, Griffeys and even a pair that paid homage to Nike’s shoe boxes. There were also several notable collabs with the popular Kith boutique, including the King’s Crown and the King’s Cloak colorways.
These were also the kicks LeBron wore for his last season with his hometown Cavs, which ended in another trip to the NBA Finals. So it was clearly a case of look good, feel good, play good when it came to the LeBron 15s.
2. LeBron 20
Originally released: 2022
The most recent shoe on the list, the LeBron 20 once changed the game. Gone were the big Air bubbles of models past, in was a low cut design and an Air Zoom Turbo unit in the forefoot and a larger Zoom Air unit in the heel.
Celebrating LeBron’s 20th season on the league, the campaign around the shoe saw LeBron take on Father Time, which feels appropriate given that Petrie said Nike was looking to the future with this LeBron model and had players like Bronny and Bryce James in mind.
“We wanted to get in their heads and learn about what young players were looking for,” Petrie told Nike.
While the shoe looked to the future, it also acknowledge the past, utilizing the same Nike Sphere technology that appeared in James’ first signature sneaker, the Air Zoom Generation (more on that in a moment, spoiler alert), as well as featuring several easter eggs to the King’s legendary career. These can easily be seen on models like the Time Machine and the Debut with other notable colorways including the Stocking Stuffer, the All-Star and the Speak Your Truth.
This model, like LeBron himself, showed that sometimes you can age like a fine wine and still produce some of your best work 20 years in.
1. Nike Air Zoom Generation
Originally released: 2003
They say you never forget your first love, and that certainly applies to the Nike Air Zoom Generation. Never had there been such a hyped prospect as LeBron James. Of course, such a talented player inspired a bidding war between sneaker companies looking to cash in, with Reebok ready to make a MAJOR investment in LeBron right in the room. Of course, we know LeBron would sign with Nike and luckily for all, the man and the shoe both lived up to the hype.
Like the LeBron 7 above, the Air Zoom Generation was a product of its time. Inspired by LeBron’s famous Hummer, the Air Zoom Generation was ready for the King’s first NBA game against … the Kings. How fitting.
Designed by a triumvirate of Tinker Hatfield, Eric Avar and Aaron Cooper, the Zoom Generation featured Zoom Air (naturally), a carbon fiber shank plate the aforementioned Sphere lining and a design that would turn heads. From the First Game, to the Wheats, to the St. Vincent St. Mary’s, the Zoom Generation would represent an auspicious debut for a man who would come define an entire generation of basketball … and basketball sneakers.
To see more of this month’s releases, check out our release date calendar.
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