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LeBron James is a household name in the NBA, winning four titles throughout his 19-year career to certify his standing as one of the greatest players in league history. Throughout his storied career, his on-court brilliance has sparked the attention of several brands, making him the most marketable player since the Michael Jordan era. As a result, he has bagged several endorsement deals.
Of all LeBron’s high-profile endorsements, his affiliation with sneaker company Nike is easily his most recognizable association. 36-year-old LeBron James has been associated with the company even before he made his first NBA appearance.
LeBron James' display in high school made him the center of a bidding war between top shoe companies like Addidas, Nike, and Reebok. Despite getting a far better deal from Reebok, he ended up choosing Nike, signing his first signature shoe deal with the company worth $90 million in 2003.
Since then, his signature Nike LeBron series has only gone on to break several records, becoming the longest signature shoe series worn by an active player, also establishing itself as one of the most successful shoe collections in the world. In 2015, LeBron James reportedly signed a $1 billion life contract with Nike, extending their successful relationship for the foreseeable future.
That said, let’s take a look at the top five LeBron James signature sneakers.
#5 Nike LeBron 7
The LeBron 7 sneaker is one of the most iconic shoes from the series, notable for their different styles from previous iterations. Released in 2009, the sneaker was Jason Petrie's debut design for LeBron James, and it contained 80% more air than previous designs to increase comfortability.
"He's a very unique problem to have out there. He's very fast and very powerful," designer Jason Petrie said. "When we're building a LeBron, we know all of that going in."
It marked the first time Nike used the Air Max cushioning system as silhouettes in a basketball sneaker, whilst also possessing the classic Nike Flywire technology that was first displayed in their hyperdunk collections.
"There was a lot of style in that shoe because we were really talking about 'CEO of court and culture' at the time, and we really wanted the technology to become the style element," Petrie said.
It boasted some of the best colorways in the LeBron series, coming in white, red, and even All-Star themes, and was notable for being the first series to debut the red-carpet version.
#4 Nike LeBron 15
The Nike LeBron 15 is one of the greatest LeBron James sneakers out there for various reasons, with its significance and style being the two biggest reasons.
"No one has ever reached No. 15 [while playing] before LeBron, so it's a big deal, and we wanted to make a celebration of technology, style, and of LeBron's game," Petrie said.
Debuting in 2017 during the KITH fashion show, serial Nike LeBron designer Jason Petrie put together another masterpiece. The release marked the first time the 15th edition of a signature shoe was made for an active player, and its success helped breathe fresh air into the LeBron series.
The LeBron 15 adopted one of the most imaginative designs of the series, boasting themes inspired by Lebron James' favorite themes and some of the brand’s greatest hits. Possessing a battle-knit upper system, it was one of the most durable sneakers in the series and helped the Superstar to his eighth straight NBA Finals.
#3 Nike LeBron 4
One of the most recognizable LeBron James sneakers series is the Nike LeBron 4. Known for its eye-catching high-contrast designs and traditional hues, the Nike LeBron 4 had a very personal touch, as LeBron hoped to include features from his favorite sneakers from the Penny Hardaway series, including the Foamposite feature.
Special editions such as the “Fruity Pebbles” and “NYC graffiti” were some of the most colorful and intrinsic versions of the Nike LeBron sneakers ever released. Its marketability was on a level like none before it, as it became the first series to successfully cross over from the court. Also, let's not forget the interesting advert that came with its release.
#2 Nike Air Zoom Generation
After securing the signature of their heir to Jordan, Nike sought to begin the new era with a bang, producing one of the most iconic sneakers of all time in the “AZG”. The kick, created in 2003, adopted the now popular “King James” mantra and was the first shoe won by LeBron James in the NBA.
Designed by Tinker Hatfield, Eric Avar, and Aaron Cooper, it drew inspiration from the Humvee LeBron James' mum bought him while still in high school. It was also the first to debut Nike’s Zoom Air cushioning and plush "Sphere Liner" technology, possessing classic toe designs and a special color panel. The most notable coloring being the White-red & blue and the White-red & black features.
"We will design you the most comfortable basketball shoe you have ever worn -- period," Cooper told James.
Its iconic status saw the redesigned sneaker make its return in January 2018 to critical reception, and it remains a major fan and LeBron James favorite to this day.
#1 Nike LeBron 8
The LeBron 8 rounds up our list of top Nike LeBron James sneakers, and the 2010 release tops every other series out there. Adapting the iconic Air Max technology that was first featured in the LeBron 7 series, it was the first sneaker worn by James in his first year after moving to the Miami Heat.
It was also the first sneaker in the series to introduce a leather upper, and Petrie, who also designed the Lebron 7, drew inspiration for the oversized lion head on the tongue of the sneaker from one of Lebron’s earliest tattoos. The iconic design also represented LeBron James' quest for his first championship.
"The stalk of the lion and the lion's hunt really fueled the change in between the shoes and how that relates to LeBron changing as he goes through the season," Petrie said.
The intrinsic colorways and patterns on iterations like the "South Beach" and "Miami Nights" theme versions assured its place as the greatest Nike LeBron sneakers of all time. South Beach resold instantly after its launch, despite going for as high as $1000 back then.
