LeBron James Los Angeles Lakers 2021 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Round 1 Game Worn Sneakers | Game 2

These sneakers were worn by LeBron James on May 25, 2021, when the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns, 109-102, in Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference First Round Playoff series. James recorded 23 points and nine assists as the defending NBA champions evened the series at one game apiece.

The sneakers are a Nike Ambassador 13 Player Exclusive in a Lakers colorway, featuring a gold mesh upper with a purple Nike Swoosh, red laces and heel pull tab, and red lateral stripe detailing. The outsole and midsole continue the gold color scheme, with script inscriptions along the midsole referencing members of James's family. The colorway directly reflects the Los Angeles Lakers' iconic purple and gold palette.

The sneakers have been inscribed by James with the names of members of his family and have been photomatched by MeiGray.

Going Deeper | LeBron James

The conversation regarding the greatest basketball player of all time may forever continue to be up for debate, but one thing is for sure, LeBron James will always be a part of the discussion. After his 23rd season in the NBA, James' resume puts him on many NBA fans' Mount Rushmore.

LeBron's legacy began in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. As a high school phenom at St. Vincent - St. Mary, LeBron, and his teammates, dubbed the 'Fab Five', led the school to three state championships in four years. During his high school career, LeBron garnered national attention, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a high school junior in 2002 with the headline 'The Chosen One,' and achieving honors such as the Gatorade Player of the Year in 2002, and the McDonald's All-American MVP in 2003.

At 18 years old, LeBron James was selected first overall in the 2003 NBA draft, directly from high school, by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers. Immediately making an impact upon entering the league, LeBron became the first player in franchise history and the youngest player in NBA history to win the Rookie of the Year award, at 19 years old.

At the time of cataloging, James has career averages of 26.9 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, and 7.4 assists per game. James is a 22-time All-Star, 4-time MVP, 4-time Finals MVP, 2004 Rookie of the Year, 13-time All-NBA 1st Team member, 4-time All-NBA Second Team member, 4-time All-NBA Third Team member, 5-time All-Defensive First Team member, and a member of the 75th Anniversary Team. The NBA 75th Anniversary Team was selected by a blue-ribbon panel of players, coaches, general managers, and sportswriters who voted on the 75 Greatest Players in NBA History. Only 11 active players were selected for the team, including LeBron James.

In his first seven seasons in the NBA, James led the Cavaliers to 50 or more wins on four separate occasions, including a franchise record 66-win season in 2008-2009, collected two league MVPs, and led the Cavaliers to their first trip to the NBA Finals in 2007. However, LeBron and the Cavaliers would fail to bring a championship to Cleveland that year.

The NBA's all-time leading scorer, LeBron James is recognized as one of the greatest players in the history of professional basketball. James' move from his first NBA team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, to the Miami Heat in 2010 is considered one of the boldest free-agent decisions in sports history. After winning two NBA championships in 2012 and 2013 for the Miami Heat, James returned to Cleveland. In 2016 he led the Cavaliers to their first NBA Championship, ending the city's 52-year-long professional sports title drought. After his 2020 Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, he became the only player to win the NBA Finals MVP with three different teams. He won his 3rd Gold Medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics as the captain of USA Basketball, where the squad went undefeated.