A History of the Sneakers Worn During LeBron James' Best Playoff Performances

LeBron James is on a quest for a third straight NBA Championship. Join us as we look at sneakers he's worn during his best playoff moments.

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Complex Original

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Over the course of LeBron James' accolade-filled career, we have seen the versatile forward lace up literally hundreds of different sneakers. James' on-court footwear resume is filled with general releases, postseason re-creations and never-before-seen player exclusives. This has allowed James to develop one of the most formidable signature sneaker lines of any athlete in the history of sports. With the help of Nike, James' brand may rival even that of the great Michael Jeffrey Jordan someday. But for now he's still in his prime. So join us as we dive into A History of the Sneakers Worn During LeBron James' Best Playoff Performances.

RELATED: The Complete History of LeBron James' Sneakers Worn at Madison Square Garden  
RELATED: The Complete History of Nike LeBron Sneakers Worn By King James

Nike Zoom 20-5-5 PE

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Year: 2006 Eastern Conference First Round: Game 1 vs. Washington Wizards
Stat Line: 32 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist
Sneaker: Nike Zoom 20-5-5  

LeBron James started his playoff career in style rocking a very clean colorway of the Nike Zoom 20-5-5. The shoe featured two gold straps that clashed against a premium white leather upper. Navy accents outlined the Nike Swoosh and lace holes as well. We can only hope to see a retro in the near future. Make it happen, Nike. 

Nike Zoom LeBron III "Alt Remix" PE

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Year: 2006 Eastern Conference First Round: Game 3 vs. Washington Wizards
Stat Line: 41 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
Sneaker: Nike Zoom LeBron III  

James went with his third signature shoe under the Nike Basketball umbrella for this road victory. The shoe received a playoff makeover to match the Cavs' Navy alternate jerseys. White leather was joined by a navy patent leather to give the sneakers a sleek look—capped off by gold and wine accents. The Nike Zoom LeBron III featured a large-volume Zoom-Air unit which was designed to be suitable for heavier players with the speed and quickness of James. It also featured a rubber outsole with longitudinal grooves to tremendously increase traction. 

Nike Zoom 20-5-5 PE

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Year: 2006 Eastern Conference First Round: Game 5 vs. Washington Wizards
Stat Line: 45 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists
Sneaker: Nike Zoom 20-5-5

James rocked a "White/Crimson" PE of the Nike Zoom 20-5-5 during his Wizard-halting game. The shoe served as the first sneaker that was not a part of the Zoom LeBron line. Its most noticeable features were the double forefoot straps that included the former crowned "LJ23" signature logo.

Nike Zoom Soldier "Playoffs"

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Year: 2007 Eastern Conference Finals: Game 5 vs. Detroit Pistons
Stat Line: 48 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists
Sneaker: Nike Zoom Soldier

For the 2006-'07 season James introduced the first sneaker in his Nike Zoom Soldier line. The Soldier James rocked during this historic performance featured a large forefoot and heel strap that consisted of gold and white branding. The navy that made up the upper half of the sneaker matched the Cavaliers' popular alternate jerseys to a T. To add the finishing touches, Nike incorporated James' then slogan "Witness" on the side panel of the shoe.

Nike Zoom Soldier II PE

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Year: 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Game 7 vs. Boston Celtics
Stat Line: 45 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists
Sneaker: Nike Zoom Soldier II

Ditching his Nike Zoom LeBron V that he dominated the regular season in, James rocked the Zoom Soldier II for the 2008 postseason. King James brought out a clean white version that utilized crimson and gold accents for the Game 7 duel with the Celtics. James later rocked the Zoom Soldier II in the Beijing Olympic games. James and Paul Pierce battled to the wire on this night, with Pierce netting 41 points in a winning effort.

Nike Zoom Soldier III

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Year: 2009 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Game 3 vs. Atlanta Hawks
Stat Line47 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists
Sneaker: Nike Zoom Soldier III

Before the Game 3 match-up with the Atlanta Hawks, the MVP was hitting half court, underhanded shots with ease—a little foreshadowing on how the game would go. He ended up scoring 47 points. For the game, however, James decided to rock the Nike Zoom Soldier III that he wore faithfully during the 2009 playoffs. This version featured a predominantly black upper with white and red accents. 

Nike Zoom Soldier III "Playoff"

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Year: 2009 Eastern Conference Finals: Game 2 vs. Orlando Magic
Stat Line: 35 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists
Sneaker: Nike Zoom Soldier III

In the game where he hit likely his most memorable game-winning shot, James decided to go with the Nike Zoom Soldier III "Playoff" which seemed to be a favorite of his for the entire 2009 postseason. The model was decked out in a white upper with patent leather on the toebox and midfoot. The highlight of the shoe was the double forefoot straps that was reminiscent of the Nike Zoom 20-5-5 sneakers James rocked during the 2006 playoffs.

Nike LeBron VII PS "POP"

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Year: 2010 Eastern Conference First Round: Game 2 vs. Chicago Bulls
Stat Line: 40 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists
Sneaker: Nike LeBron VII PS

Following Joakim Noah's infamous "Cleveland really sucks" comments, James led his Cavaliers to a big victory over the Chicago Bulls. James torched the Bulls in the Nike Air Max LeBron VII PS. This playoff-ready sneaker featured a synthetic leather and Flywire upper, patent leather throughout the shoe and was adorned with a icy blue outsole. The inner heel sported an oversized lion logo to pay tribute to King James' ink. Anybody else see an Air Jordan XI "Concord" inspiration or nah?

Nike LeBron 8 PS

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Year: 2011 Eastern Conference Finals: Game 5 vs. Chicago Bulls
Stat Line: 28 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists
Sneaker: Nike LeBron 8 PS

With the Heat rocking their alternate jerseys, James decided to lace up his PS edition of the Nike LeBron 8. The shoe garnered its inspiration from a lion and James' ability to relentlessly attack the rim from all angles. This post-season model featured a black and red upper that featured a white Nike swoosh and midsole. Nike's official press release dubbed it: "Specifically geared for go-time." The LeBron 8 PS was LeBron's first signature to use the Hyperfuse technology, and was much lighter than the regular-season version, which was also designed by Jason Petrie. A Max Air 180 unit sat under the sneaker's heel while a Nike Zoom unit was incorporated in the forefoot. Completing the sneaker was LeBron's signature on the heel, and eyestays shaped like the number eight that referenced James' eighth signature shoe.

Nike LeBron 9 PS Elite PE

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Year: 2012 Eastern Conference First Round: Game 1 vs. New York Knicks
Stat Line: 32 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Sneaker: Nike LeBron 9 PS Elite

The anticipation for the Heat/Knicks first-round bout was through the roof leading up to the 2012 NBA Playoffs. In Game 1, James debuted a player-exclusive Nike LeBron 9 PS Elite. The sneaker had a flashy composition and featured Heat-inspired red and black accents. An icy sole clashed against the sneaker's durable carbon fiber and Flywire perfectly. The lightweight Elite rendition of the regular-season model assisted James to a great start to the 2012 postseason.

Nike LeBron 9 Elite "Away"

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Year: 2012 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Game 4 vs. Indiana Pacers
Stat Line: 40 points, 18 rebounds, 9 assists
Sneaker: Nike LeBron 9 Elite

It seemed as if the Indiana Pacers had the perfect formula to take down the Miami Heat during the 2012 playoffs—until LeBron went off in Game 4, all while wearing the Nike LeBron 9 Elite. It was the sneaker of shoe of choice for James as he led his team to a much needed win against the Pacers. The LeBron 9 Elite "Away" silhouette featured a triple-black upper, carbon fiber along the midfoot, and a metallic gold Nike Swoosh. This lighter version of the King's ninth signature shoe featured Nike Flywire reinforced with Kevlar.

Nike LeBron 9 Elite PE

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Year: 2012 Eastern Conference Finals: Game 6 vs. Boston Celtics
Stat Line: 45 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists
Sneaker: Nike LeBron 9 Elite

With his legacy on the line, LeBron James put on one hell of a show. James poured in 45 points in a victory that would help the Heat avoid elimination against the Boston Celtics. James was painted a villain upon his arrival in Miami, and it seemed as if he fully embraced that role for his Game 6 performance. Assisting his game was the Nike LeBron 9 Elite in a mostly black colorway with slight hints of red. The shoe matched James' demeanor as well as the Heats' alternate jerseys. The Celtics got the worst of the King's wrath.

Nike LeBron 9 Elite "Home"

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Year: 2012 NBA Finals: Game 5 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Stat Line: 26 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists
Sneaker: Nike LeBron 9 Elite

LeBron James made his way back to the NBA Finals a year after his disappointing showing against the Dallas Mavericks. This time around, the opposition was a young and talented Oklahoma City Thunder team led by Kevin Durant. Throughout the regular season, James rocked an abundance of Nike LeBron 9s, which serves as one of his most popular signatures to date. But for the playoffs, James introduced the Elite model that was designed for the grit and battles of the playoffs. The "Home" Nike LeBron 9 Elite colorway featured a white upper with hues of gold, using the championship trophy as inspiration. The shoe was built to be lighter, yet more durable for James and his rare combination of speed and strength. Nike included heavy carbon fiber re-enforcement for added support. All which helped James post a triple-double in Game 5 of the series and, finally, capture his first ring.

Nike LeBron X PS Elite+ PE

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Year: 2013 Eastern Conference Finals: Game 1 vs. Indiana Pacers
Stat Line: 30 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists
Sneaker: Nike LeBron X PS Elite+

Dope shoes. Check. Triple-double. Check. Game winner. Check. LeBron James started off the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals with a bang. James also debuted a very dope PE of the Nike LeBron X PS Elite+ for the match-up. The shoe featured a white and black upper with red Flywire accents. The highlight of the shoe was the white speckle that was incorporated on the carbon fiber and midsole. Silver lace tips and a translucent lace lock served as the final touches on Bron's PE, which was every bit as complete as his game.

Nike LeBron X PS Elite "Finals"

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Year: 2013 NBA Finals: Game 7 vs. San Antonio Spurs
Stat Line: 37 points, 12, rebounds, 4 assists
Sneaker: Nike LeBron X PS Elite

Fresh off a miraculous Game 6 win (thank you, Jesus Shuttlesworth), James and the Miami Heat beat the San Antonio Spurs in a entertaining Game 7 to capture their second straight NBA Championship. For the game, James rocked the "Finals" colorway of the Nike LeBron X PS Elite+, which he also wore in Game 6. Superstition? Red served as the upper's color and was complemented with a gold Nike swoosh. The Elite version was designed to be stronger than the LeBron X, and accomplished that by reinforcing the carbon fiber and utilizng more Nike Flywire technology. The shoe would later release as part of  the "Championship" Pack alongside the LeBron X Low in celebration of James' second straight NBA Championship.