Which Sneaker Did LeBron James Play Better in During the 2014 NBA Playoffs?

What were LeBron James NBA Playoff Stats in the Nike LeBron XI and Nike Zoom Soldier VII?

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Written by Peter Walsh (@Peter_M_Walsh)

It has been well publicized that the Nike LeBron XI wasn't, simply put, Lebron's preferred choice of sneaker this NBA season. Instead of wearing his flagship shoe, which James claimed weren't just right for his standards, LeBron instead opted for the Zoom Soldier VII. After working out the problems and clearing the air with Nike back in December, LeBron continued to wear the Soldier VII through the season and occasionally started the game wearing the XIs before switching for the Soldier VII at halftime.

For the season, LeBron donned a 26 different colorways of the Zoom Soldier VII and in 15 Playoff games, James is averaging 27.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. While LeBron has worn the Zoom Soldier VIIs through much of the playoffs, he did break out a fresh pair of Elite XIs during the early stages of the Miami Heat's quest for a third straight title. Here is a game-by-game breakdown of each sneaker worn and the subsequent numbers King James put up. 

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Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game One Win vs. Bobcats

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Game: Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Game 1 vs. Bobcats
Date: April 20, 2014
Sneaker: LeBron XI Elite Miami Home PE
Stats: 27 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist

LeBron and the Heat kicked off their title defense with a 99-88 victory over the eighth-seeded Charlotte Bobcats. James ditched the Soldier VIIs which he favored during the latter part of the season and broke out brand a fresh white Elite version of the LeBron XI for the affair. With a 27-point, 9-rebound, 1-assist effort, LeBron began a run that saw him revert back to wearing the XIs.

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game Two Win vs. Bobcats

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Game: Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Game 2 vs. Bobcats
Date: April 23, 2014
Sneaker
: LeBron XI Elite Heat Away PE
Stats: 32 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists

Game two against the Charlotte Bobcats was more of the same, as LeBron put together a huge performance while wearing Elite version of the XI, which featured a flawless black, grey and red colorway color combo.

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game Three Win at Bobcats

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Game: Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Game 3 at Bobcats
Date: April 26, 2014
Sneaker
: LeBron XI Elite Heat Away PE
Stats: 30 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists

Rocking the same PE he wore in game two, LeBron put a performance in the sneakers that led the Heat to a 98-85 victory in Charlotte. While LeBron did his usual thing with 30 points, 10 boards, and 6 assists, the game is most memorable for his staredown of a courtside-sitting Michael Jordan while going up for a one-handed dunk.

Wearing the XIs for the third straight game, it seemed like LeBron was warming back up to his signature kicks. Perhaps the new PEs.

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game Four Win at Bobcats

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Game: Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Game 4 at Bobcats
Date: April 28, 2014
Sneaker
: LeBron Zoom Soldier VII PE
Stats
: 31 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists

LeBron and the Heat ended the Bobcats' season with a 109-98 dismantling on Charlotte's homecourt. LeBron started the game in the same XI Elites he wore for games two and three but switched it up and at halftime and came out in the third quarter wearing a pair of red and white Soldier VIIs. 

Eastern Conference Semifinals Game One Win vs. Nets

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Game: Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game 1 vs. Nets
Date: May 6, 2014
Sneaker
: LeBron XI Elite Heat Home PE
Stats: 22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists

LeBron led the Heat to its fifth-straight playoff victory while finessing in his white and red LeBron XI Elites. The Nets opined for the Heat during the regular season, thinking that they had the right mix of veterans to dethrone the back-to-back champs after beating them four times in the regular season. But LeBron showed Brooklyn that the playoff version of the Heat are a completely different animal and set the tone for the series in game one with a 107-86 drubbing.

Eastern Conference Semifinals Game Two Win vs Nets

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Game: Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game 2 vs Nets
Date: May 8, 2014
Sneaker
: LeBron XI Elite Home PE
Stats: 22 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists

LeBron put on a near identical performance in game two against the Nets as he did in game one. While once again wearing XI Elites, James led the Heat to another double-digit victory over Brooklyn. 

Eastern Conference Semifinals Game Three Loss at Nets

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Game: Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game 3 at Nets
Date: May 10, 2014
Sneaker
: LeBron XI Elite TE
Stats: 28 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists

Though LeBron and the Heat suffered their first loss of the 2014 Playoffs, the game marked a notable moment for sneakerheads. For the first time since the 2012 Finals, when he donned white Elite versions of the LeBron IX, LeBron wore a retail version of his signature look. 

Eastern Conference Semifinals Game Four Win at Nets

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Game: Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game 4 at Nets
Date: May 12, 2014
Sneaker
: LeBron Soldier VII PE
Stats: 49 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists

LeBron returned with a vengeance in game four by tying his career playoff-high with 49 points to go along with 6 boards, and 2 assists as the Heat defeated the Nets 102-96. The black and red Soldier VIIs LeBron rocked were easily one of the meanest colorways he donned this season and the fact that he had a monster game while wearing them only made them look that much better.

Eastern Conference Semifinals Game Five Win vs Nets

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Game: Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game 5 vs Nets
Date: May 14, 2014
Sneaker
: LeBron Zoom Soldier VII Away PE
Stats: 29 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists

LeBron put an end to the Nets title hopes with another monster performance while wearing another clean pair of Soldier VIIs. The red and black colorway is simple yet effective and really pops when paired with the Heat's home uniforms.

Eastern Conference Finals Game One Loss at Pacers

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Game: Eastern Conference Finals, Game 1 at Pacers
Date: May 18, 2014
Sneaker
: LeBron Zoom Soldier VII PE
Stats: 25 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists

The Heat fell victim to the Pacers during game one of the Eastern Conference Finals, but at least LeBron looked good while taking the L. Sporting a crisp all black version of the Zoom Solider VIIs, LeBron put together a solid performance but in the end it just wasn't enough as the Heat fell behind 1-0 in the series with a 107-96 defeat.

Eastern Conference Finals Game Two Win at Pacers

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Game: Eastern Conference Finals Game, 2 at Pacers
Date: May 20, 2014
Sneaker
: LeBron XI Elite PE / LeBron Zoom Solider VII PE
Stats: 22 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists

For the second time in the playoffs, LeBron opted to wear a different shoe in the next game following a loss. James took the court wearing the a PE version XI Elites but switched it up at halftime and went with the Solider VIIs for the remainder of the game. With a fresh pair of sneakers on, LeBron finished the game by scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Heat to an 87-83 victory in Indiana.

Eastern Conference Finals Game Three Win vs Pacers

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Game: Eastern Conference Finals, Game 3 vs Pacers
Date: May 24, 2014
Sneakers
: LeBron Zoom Soldier VII PE
Stats: 26 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists

With the series back in Miami, LeBron stuck with the Soldier VIIs and helped turn a 15-point deficit into a 12-point victory. James battled cramps down the stretch but hit a huge 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds left in the third quarter to give the Heat an insurmountable 74-67 lead.

Eastern Conference Finals Game Four Win vs Pacers

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Game: Eastern Conference Finals, Game 4 vs Pacers
Date: May 26, 2014
Sneaker
: LeBron Zoom Soldier VII PE
Stats: 32 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists

With the Heat leading the series 2-1, the Pacers' Lance Stephenson tried a little gamesmanship by trash talking the Heat in the media. A good idea in theory but LeBron made sure that Born Ready wrote a check that his ass couldn't cash with a 32-point, 10-rebound, 5-assist performance and a 102-90 drubbing of Indiana. LeBron took the court in a sleek red/black with a hint of gray pair of Soldier VIIs.

Eastern Conference Finals Game Five Loss at Pacers

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Game: Eastern Conference Finals, Game 5 at Pacers
Date: May 28, 2014
Sneakers
: LeBron Zoom Soldier VII PE
Stats: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists

LeBron was finally stopped in game six of the Conference Finals when he was held to just seven points thanks to foul trouble through much of the contest. Though he took a loss and had his ear blown into by Lance Stephenson, LeBron rocked a sick pair of Soldier VIIs.

Statistical Breakdown

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LeBron XI: 6 games, 26.8 points, 7 rebounds, 4.3 assists

Zoom Solider VII: 7 games, 27.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists

Halftime Switch from Nike LeBron XI Elite to Nike Zoom Soldier VII: 2 games, 26.5 points, 7 rebounds, 7.5 assists

The stats are nearly identical proving that no matter what LeBron decides to outfit himself in, he is going to put on a monster performance. 

Eastern Conference Finals Game Six Win at Pacers

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Game: Eastern Conference Finals, Game 6 at Pacers
Date: May 30, 2014
Sneakers
: LeBron Zoom Solider VII PE
Stats: 25 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists

Bucking the trend of switching his sneakers following a loss, LeBron returned in game six wearing the same colorway of the Soldier VIIs. James came out and attacked the Pacers and scored at will, finishing with 25 points as the Heat absolutely destroyed the Pacers. With the victory, the Heat are back in the Finals for the fourth straight year and Nike and LeBron surely have some surprises up their sleeve when it comes to what LeBron will wear on his feet for this year's go-round.