A Complete Sneaker Guide To 'More Than a Game'

Not just LeBron.

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Image via Complex Original
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It has been a long road, but LeBron James has finally made it — a champion in every aspect and he is having a good-ass time doing it. Hate it or love it, The Chosen One is going to go down in history as one of the best to ever play the game. Along the way a documentary was made to show James's pain, struggles, and triumph in the end along with his best friends four brothers that were every bit as important to his upbringing on and off the court along with Coach Dru Joyce. We decided to pay homage to LeBron on his 28th birthday by not only honoring him but also the people who helped get him where he is today. Hit the jump to check out A Complete Sneaker Guide To 'More Than a Game' and make sure you grab the DVD if you haven't already — a must for any basketball collection.

Air Jordan XI PE

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Air Jordan XI PE 

Year (of Sneaker): Unreleased 

We aren't sure why the throwback jerseys were such a big deal back in Akron because LeBron was receiving shipments of personalized kicks on a daily basis from all the crack sneaker brands including Jordan. During his senior year, he took flight and won the state title game in these dope IXs personalized to match the SVSM high school unis. It's good to be king. 

adidas Pro Model 2G

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adidas Pro Model 2G PE 

Year (of Sneaker): Unreleased 

LeBron and his clique got swagged all the way out by adidas after getting national attention and we can't front, those green Pro Model 2G PEs were sick. 

Nike Zoom LeBron ST

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Nike Zoom LeBron ST

Year (of Sneaker): 2006 

While doing some reminiscing in the gym, we check Dru rocking a pair of some off-court LeBrons as he hits a few jumpers and talks about the pressures of being the coach's son and being the point god. The Zoom LeBron ST shares similar designs as the Jordan Grown V2 but with better performance features — these flew under the radar and we wouldn't mind seeing a similar concept come back in the off-season. (Well...)

adidas KB8

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adidas KB8 

Year (of Sneaker): 1998 

Even before they had sponsorships, the Akron boys stayed laced in only the freshest kicks on the court. During a part of the movie where they cut back to the AAU days we spot one of the players donning one of Kobe's most iconic sneakers. The shoes made a comeback a few years ago under the alias Crazy 8 and even a dozen years after its original release it was one of the best-selling sneakers on adidas's line. That's a big ol' pair of Zoom Pippen IIIs on the left, too.

Nike Ultraflight

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Nike Zoom Ultraflight PE

Year (of Sneaker): 2003 

"Half tradition, half amazing, this was one shoe with two distinct styles”- Aaron Cooper, Nike designer. Nike's innovation on the Zoom Ultraflight doesn't get nearly enough praise. The sneaker played out like a training/running shoe more so than a basketball sneaker in terms of design but the lightness and stability made it easy for young LeBron to fly across the court in his player exclusive pair in Akron and a white and red pair during training camp in Cleveland his rookie season. 

adidas EQT NBA Responsive

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adidas EQT NBA Responsive 

Year (of Sneaker): 2000 

If Instagram existed in 2000 this would have made the popular page. "Yo, I got sneakers from adidas with MY name and number stitched into them, and I didn't have to take them to Lids." Stunt on young king, stunt on. Just look at that smile (and, er, that hairline).

adidas T-Mac 1

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adidas T-Mac 1 

Year (of Sneaker): 2002 

More swag from The Three Stripes, the T-Macs didn't exactly match the SVSM unis but if you ever played in these the comfort is well worth the clash. We were glad to see these make a comeback 10 years after their original release even though we had to say goodbye to the player that made them famous and one of the best high school players to make the jump to the league, Tracy McGrady. 

Nike Shox Limitless

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Nike Shox Limitless PE 

Year (of Sneaker): 2002 

You haven't even received your high school diploma and you're already getting PEs from the greatest sneaker company of all-time, no pressure.

adidas Kobe I

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adidas The KOBE "White/Black" & "Sunshine"

Year (of Sneaker): 2000 

The hype was real and STVM was now on the map of every important basketball personality including Sonny Vaccaro at adidas. Not like James and his homies weren't having any problems staying relevant with dope kicks but having a few shipments of Kobes hit the training room isn't a bad look either. 

Nike Flightposite

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Nike Air Flightposite 

Year (of Sneaker): 1999 

You still remember the moment when Bibby hooped in the OG Foams as the 'Zona Wildcats won the Final Four in 1997 (if you're old enough) — the hype was built there. Nike being, well Nike — kept pushing boundaries and did what they do best by cutting dead weight and introducing the Flightposite, a lighter weight, remixed version of the original Foams without taking too much away from the DMV's favorite sneaker design. 

Jordan Jumpman Team Pro

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Air Jordan Jumpman Team Pro 

Year (of Sneaker): 1997 

During some more throwback footage where Coach Dru reflects on the bond he tried to have with his son while making him tough, we catch the father on the sideline coaching and a player rocking the underrated team Jordans from '97. They made a comeback in 2008 but we're still waiting on Nike to retro the Team Jordan One — that Cincy colorway was too cold. 

Garnett III & GP II

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Nike Air Garnett III & Nike Zoom GP II 

Year (of Sneakers): 1999 & 2000 

Before STVM was being laced by corporate sponsors the kids were free to just ball in whatever they liked and during their Frosh run for a title we see Willie and Dru getting a break on the bench and spot the KG IIIs and GP IIs on the bench. These dudes didn't need anyone and brands to let 'em know what was hot — the streets was talking and the young Fab Four (at the time) destroyed and conquered their much older opponents en route to their first state title. 

LeBron 20-5-5

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Nike LeBron 20-5-5 

Year (of Sneaker): 2005 

In some random footage we see players that were likely on St. Vincent-St. Mary's squad at the time of production practicing in the Zoom LeBron 20-5-5 — not a bad gift from an alum.

Jordan Super Freak

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Air Jordan Super Freak 

Year (of Sneaker): 2000 

Rick James meets Michael Jordan — maybe that wasn't the inspiration but the football trainers were just as memorable as "Super Freaks" bassline. In 2000 we catch Dru guarding an opponent rocking the shoes that helped Randy Moss destroy d-backs while running shit in Minnesota. We don't know how this one panned out but we're guessing Dru didn't let the same thing happen. 

Air Jordan XIII

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Air Jordan XIII "White/True Red-Black" & "Playoff" 

Year (of Sneakers): 1997

In more home footage we spy opposing players rocking the XIIIs — the OG white and black pair as well as the "Playoffs". So dope to see teenagers using Js for their primary function instead of fighting over them on Judge Judy. 

Air Jordan XIV

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Air Jordan XIV "White/Black-Oxidized Green" 

Year (Of Sneaker): 1999

 In another flashback during LeBron's AAU days some home footage catches an opposing player heading out during starting lineups with the "Oxy" Jordan XIVs. Gonna need a little more than that to show up them Akron boys, though. 

Multiple Shots

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Converse All Star Sky Tech, Nike Air Penny II, Nike Air Flight Turbulence, Reebok Questions, Reebok Bump N Run 

Year (of Sneakers): 1997, 1996, 1996, 1996, 1996 

During a portion of the film when Coach Dru was talking about his young squad we get a glimpse of his all-stars collecting hardware in some serious sneaker heat. Penny IIs, Reebok Questions, and the underrated Nike Air Flight Turbulence were sneakers of choice for the Akron Shooting Stars but by far the biggest surprise was James hoopin' in the Reebok Bump N Run — a sneaker more remembered for its role on the turf than the hardwood. Then again, the kid was a hell of a football player, too.