Like every kid back then, LeBron James grew up idolizing Michael Jordan . Before becoming known as the Chosen One, LeBron Raymone James was a huge MJ fan.
Following Mike's NBA career, the young King learned a lot watching his idol from afar. In 2015, LeBron admitted that one of the things he learned from the Chicago Bulls legend was how to get an advantage over opponents who wore his signature shoe.
"When I was a kid and I used to see guys wear MJ's shoes when they played against MJ, and I was like, "MJ got a little mental edge over those guys," said LeBron during an interview with GQ.
Bron gon' bust your a**
LeBron was only 16 years old when he first met Michael in Chicago. They talked for about 15 minutes. King James said that meeting Mike was like meeting God for the first time. Just one year later, Bron entered into the godly territory when he was baptized as 'The Chosen One"
From a high school phenom, Bron went on to be selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA Draft. Like Mike, LeBron signed a shoe deal with Nike and was immediately given his signature shoe. A dozen years and 13 signature shoes later, the four-time champion talked about taking pride in his shoes.
"So for me, now being in that MJ class, I'm like, if I see a guy wearing my shoes if he's not like a good, good real brother of mine – because I've got some guys that's Team LeBron and that's what we do – but if you're just a guy that you just actually go to Foot Locker or somewhere and you just go get a pair of Brons and you want to wear them on a Tuesday night against me? I'm gonna bust your ass straight up," declared James.
Related: Scottie Pippen on how Michael Jordan would have reacted if he left the Bulls: "He would have probably tried to shoot more and score more"
All love now
That was when things changed. During the 2022-23 season, Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane began wearing the LeBron 20s. Bane and James had a history of confrontation in 2022. Still, with LBJ's shoe being the only model that alleviated his toe injuries, Desmond was 'forced' to wear the 20s even against the player it was made for. When the Lakers' star found out, it was all love from the King.
"Respect. Respect," James told ESPN. "I joked about it a few years ago, like, if a guy's wearing my sneakers, I'm going to have to bust your ass and s---. Like, I'm not even in that type of energy no more, that type of space. I just think that's super dope. And I got to send some more to him now."
James didn't sound like he was joking when he spoke to GQ. But he, too, is no longer the same person who spoke those words. Bron will be entering his 22nd NBA season next campaign, and Nike will release the 23rd edition of his shoe this September 2024. It's all about enjoying the game while he still can now.
Related: "It's definitely way better to coach him than coach against him" - Steve Kerr on getting to coach LeBron James on Team USA
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