LeBron marvels at latest shoe

BEAVERTON – Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James unveiled his latest signature shoe LeBron 12 before a select group of 75 journalists from 12 countries at the Nike World Headquarters here Tuesday and Nike brand president Trevor Edwards described it as the best ever defined by extreme precision and explosive performance.

James was on stage with Edwards and NBA TV’s Kristen Ledlow, explaining the features of the revolutionary shoe that has five independent Zoom Air bags in a creative hexagonal design of the sole as “an articulation of the forefoot.” Taryn Hensley, Nike director of cushion innovation, said the shoe was three to four years in the making with the Nike Sport Research Lab (NSRL) conducting numerous tests to quantify athletes’ movements within playing conditions and create a design to enhance performance with stability and durability. The LeBron 12 was born in the lab where scientific data and analysis substantiated the need for next-generation cushioning, support and flexibility, a Nike briefer noted.

James, 29, showed up looking fit and ready to resume his playing career with the Cavs after four years in Miami. “I can’t wait to go back to downtown Cleveland where I belong,” said James who started his career with the Cavs then moved to the Heat after seven seasons. “It’s been four years since I got back home. I’m looking forward to playing in an unbelievable atmosphere. One of the reasons why I came back is Kyrie Irving who can be the best point guard in the league.”

James pointed out that Irving led the US to its fourth straight international championship as the MVP of the recently-concluded FIBA World Cup in Spain. “The US is the first country to achieve that and it’s something to be proud of,” said James referring to the Americans’ gold medal finishes at the 2008 Olympics, 2010 World Cup, 2012 Olympics and 2014 World Cup. “I’m looking forward to helping him out with the Cavs and Kryie helping me out as well.”

As for his latest signature shoe – the 12th in what seems to be a heritage series, James said what he likes most about it is the hexagonal design mapped to the pressure points in the foot consistent with basketball performance. “I’m ecstatic about it,” he said. “The independent air bags offer more stability and comfort. It gives me flexibility to move with explosiveness and it’s durable, like it’s a shoe outside a shoe. It’s the first time we’ve done this. The lab guys did a great job of making it personal to me. It’s supposed to last longer and make you jump higher. I love it because it has my name on it. My shoe designer Jason (Petrie) is amazing. I don’t know if because it’s my 12th shoe, this makes me feel old or incredible. No way had I envisioned this to happen down the line.”

Another feature that James said he likes is the shoe’s good looks. “I like style,” he said. “It got it from (pro football Hall of Famer) Deion Sanders. If you look good, you play good.” Aesthetics is something that isn’t overlooked in LeBron 12.

There are seven LeBron 12 colorways inspired by James’ game and physical attributes. The first model is called the NSRL with the turquoise and grey outlook and orange and blue accents. It will be available in China starting Oct. 1 and globally starting Oct. 11. The second model is the red-and-white Heart of a Lion to hit the stores on Oct. 30 in time for Halloween. The third is the Dunk Force in green and grey, a take-off from his statement tomahawk throw-down and equated to the speed and force of a helicopter rotor blade, out on Nov. 11. The fourth is the Instinct picking up from how a humming bird sees and navigates to be made available on Nov. 22.

The fifth is the Six Meridians, depicting the ancient Chinese practice of reflexology releasing energy to different points of the body or meridians when massaging pressure points in the feet and hands, out on Nov. 29. The sixth is the Trillion Dollar Man to be launched on Dec. 1. Finally, the seventh is the Data to go on sale Dec. 20. The LeBron 12 shoe will be in both adult and kids sizes with customization on NikeID available starting Oct. 6.

“This is Nike at its best,” said Kelly Hibler, Nike basketball vice president of footwear. “We take the insights from a world-class athlete in LeBron James to inform forward-thinking designs and create the most innovative shoes. We’ve combined the art and science of engineering in the LeBron 12 to advance the game of basketball’s best player.”

 Aside from the hexagonal air bags, the shoe uses a full-length Phylon midsole to provide lightweight cushioning and stability, hyperposite wings to deliver support and protection, flywire cables to provide adaptive fit and lockdown support, Nike Zoom in the heel to provide additional support and maximum cushioning and multi-directional outsole patterns to deliver superior traction.

James said when he joined the NBA out of high school in 2003, there was never any doubt in his mind what shoe brand to wear. “There’s no other shoe I’d wear,” he said. “I’m very blessed. From Day 1, I’ve always wanted to wear the swoosh. I love what we already have but it’s still a long way to go. As I get older, I’d like my shoe not to be a burden, it’s got to be lighter and lighter. When I jump, cut and move as fast as I do, my shoe has to be very durable. It’s got to take the pounding when I land.”

James said in his basketball journey, he aspires to be an inspiration to everyone. “Whether it’s through basketball or being a father or a friend or someone in the community, I hope to inspire others to achieve their goals in life, to make lots of dreams become a reality.”