In his short, illustrious career Lebron has conquered the Eastern Conference, made four All Star appearances, two topped off with MVP awards, nominated Rookie of the Year and most of all, rebuilt a franchise that was on the brink of implosion all by himself. Scarily LBJ improves statistically with each additional year despite the inability of the Cavs front office, errrr Danielle Ferry to sign even semi, marquee players. In the past month or so we have watched him torch Kobe for 41 (giving the Cavs their fifth consecutive win over the Lakers) at the Staples Center and rally a one man, fourth quarter come back past the Blazers with a buzzer beater. Right now we are seeing LBJ play off the charts once again. Five years ago the majority thought Nike gambled by investing $90 million dollars into the greatest high school player ever (LeBron) with their launching the Air Zoom Line before his ever playing in a NBA game. From the inception of his rise to stardom dedicated contributors and readers of "We talkin' bout flea market" knew Phil Knight, CEO of Nike was making the right choice.
With such lofty expectations he delivered to Nike while staying true to SVSM, Cavs and Lebron enthusiasts far and wide. In the process skeptics of his learned to never doubt him ever again. From the first Lebron game I ever watched I always paid attention to the shoes he was wearing just as I enjoyed doing with 45 and it certainly has been interesting so far.
As we continue to witness him greatness in LBJ’s fifth season it’s only appropriate to examine the shoes he rocked over the years with the Zoom Line I-V. Although Nike releases one single pair each year the Zoom line different styles and limited editions subsequently follow each highly anticipated release. His athletic prowess and ability to dominate games single handedly is leaving many convinced they are watching the best player ever. The scary fact that Lebron continues to improve his All Star numbers is equally matched by Nike’s artistry, creativity and craft allotted to the Zoom. In the same way he develops the shoe follow suit.
The fact that LBJ has established himself as the youngest and most talented player in the history of the league despite the hype and publicity he faced before entering helps explain the success of the Zoom and its overgrowing demand. Artists and designers from all over create their unique variations of the coveted line to align themselves with such a powerful brand and growing cult. The limited editions of the Zooms are sold on short notice at urban boutiques across the world and leave purchasers boosted with ownership of a rising commodity.
Last year The LeBron NYC Pop-Up Store & Exhibition was opened to a select group of NikeBasketball.com registered members. The space was designed by Eight Inc., the same people behind the beautiful Apple Stores around the world. Graphics through out the space were designed by Object (Weston Bingham and Warren Corbitt) in collaboration with Eight Inc.
In the summer of 2003 the “LeBron James Chamber of Fear” was released in five different cities. The shoe that came out in Thieveland is a combination of black patent, white and green leathers. Sneaker and Lebron fanatics could only purchase this limited pair of them at “Next Urban Apparel” in Shaker Square. Arthur Valdez, of Georgia waited in a snaky, two hour line at Shaker Square and was determined to get his. He comments, “They came out with interesting custom shoes for each city and if you’re not there, or you’re willing to pay big bucks, that’s the only way you’ll get them.”
This year’s edition of the Zoom come packed with information detailing his career and life. These cost 140 ducks. Lebron James had a great deal of involvement with the design of this Nike Lebron V white / navy. He insisted that the shoe looked as good off the court as it played on the court. It features a white / navy colorway, full grain leather, and gold accents/ trim throughout the shoe. The tongue features a lion symbol, which is remnant of himself. As you can tell from the 4 stitch construction on the heel, the shoe is big on durability. Also, there is a Lebron James 23 logo on the side panel dipped in gold. The bottom of the shoe features an Akron map and a carbon fiber plate in the center. This was inspired by his asking a family member in the fifth grade why Akron wasn’t on the globe. From that moment it was his goal to put his hometown on the map.
That is probably more than enough on the background on the history of the Lebron Air Zoom line. There is a lot of interesting information on the Zoom line and I felt it appropriate to provide some context as to why it and Lebron has come to this point in time. Included below are some cool pictures of the Lebron Zoom I-V and some of the limited editions in midst of historical performances.
The white, Zoom I are the ones he wore on Christmas day 2003 when the Cavs lost to Orlando 104-113 in overtime. Lebron celebrated his first Christmas in the NBA wearing a pair of lasered Air Zoom Generations while putting up the most points in the game with 34 points. TMAC WHO????
Nike Air Zoom II- Wore in his sophomore campaign.
Oympic Air Zoom Generation I- All time favorite pair. Extremely tough to find nowadays. I found my second pair yesterday and this store's last pair in Chinatown, SF for $50 and consider myself very lucky.
This edition of the Zoom LeBron IV are inspired Fruity Pebbles, which was LeBron’s favorite cereal growing up… Wondering how LeBron got his size (6-4, 240)? These have to be my all time favorite, never before have I seen such a vibrant and creative shoe for the King.
LeBron was rocking the NYC edition of the Zoom LeBron IV in last year’s game in NYC on November 13, 2006. It must have been the shoes! The Cavs beat out the Knicks 102-96 with LeBron scoring 29 points in his 41 minutes of play. Although my birthday was 13 days later, it was extremely unlikely to cop a par seeing as only 200 were made. Come on Mom!
In one of the most exciting game in Cavs recent history, game 5 of 2006, LBJ rocked a red/white version of the Lebron Zoom Soldier shoe.
The Nike Zoom Lebron 5 (V) - New York City (NYC) Edition will be a special NYC release. It is definitely a work of art, featuring logos and sayings all throughout the shoe’s upper. All around the shoe, hints and bits of Lebron James’ life is portrayed. The back of the shoe features a portrait of LeBron with his arms raised. It will be a limited release, and we will keep you updated as we receive more information.
For the 2007 All Star Game, LeBron was rocking the Zoom LeBron IV Graffiti in All Star colors. This graffiti shoe was first seen on the NYC LeBron shoe, the graffiti is by Mike Giant. So dirty.
Lebron wore the All- Star V's on Sunday while earning another MVP award.
Sorry Kobe, you can't have it!
The ongoing saga of Nike Duck gear took a turn for the worse Saturday night as the Ducks basketball team unveiled their black gear in a beatdown to the UCLA Bruins. These uniforms are are a lot worse than anything the football team wore this past season, which in and of itself is a feat worth recognition. Phil Knight is my boy and I gave him props in the LBJ post for always getting our back but come on Phil!
