The Complete Footwear History of LeBron James vs. Carmelo Anthony Matchups

Clash of '03.

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Image via Complex Original
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It's been 11 years since LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony staged their first national TV battle (SVSM vs. Oak Hill) and ain't much changed between two of the best competitors from the infamous Class of '03. The Chosen One is going to go down in history as one of the best to ever do it and since the jump Nike has treated him as such. The Swoosh has enabled James’ legacy to be just as strong off the court thanks to one of the best signature sneaker lines ever — even Mike didn’t have all these bells and whistles and PEs. And from his start in high school at national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy to cutting down the nets at Syracuse all the way to the NBA, Melo has balled in some Jordans no one else has ever played in and even earned his own signature line from Jordan Brand. With two of the best forwards of our generation going head-to-head tonight (well, their teams are, anyway) we decided to pay homage to their respective sneaker games. Hit the jump to check out The Complete Footwear History of LeBron James vs. Carmelo Anthony Matchups and let us know who you think the real king is. 

February 10, 2002

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Air Jordan Jumpman J'Madness  vs. adidas The KOBETWO "USA Flag"

Even as preps these two had the whole country going crazy and the ESPN-featured high school game was a preview of things to come in the league. 'Melo's Oak Hill Academy topped 'Bron's squad but the young king's rare USA-themed KOBETWOs were untouchable. Even at the age of 17, LeBron knew how to stunt on national television.  

November 5, 2003

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Air Jordan XII PE vs. Nike Zoom Generation "First Game"

The NBA's scheduling committee didn't take long to have the class of '03's best face off — just a few days into the season the Cavs hit up Denver and took one of their many losses on the season. LeBron's "First Game" Zoom Generations are in need of a retro release more than just about any other Nike Basketball shoe but how can you mess with a PE Jordan? It's just different. 

December 2, 2003

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Nike Zoom Generation "Black/Black" vs. Air Jordan XII "White/French Blue"

A month later the two went head-to-head again, but this time 'Melo opted for a general release Jordan XII and LeBron's black-on-black Zoom Generations were easily the best kicks on the court. 

December 2, 2004

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Air Jordan Melo 1.5  vs. Nike Zoom LeBron II "Away"

In their second season, it was easy to tell LeBron was already on his way to proving he was the best of his class and Nike blessed him with a crazy stacked Zoom Air sneaker that also donned King James' name for the first time. Melo's signature Jordans were nice and all, but...

February 11, 2005

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Nike Zoom LeBron II "White/Navy" vs. Air Jordan XII PE

James nearly doubled Carmelo's statistical output and even though Anthony switched back to the PE Jordan XIIs, the white and yellow pair just didn't hold as much weight as LeBron's clean white and navy IIs. 

December 15, 2005

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Nike Zoom LeBron III "China" vs. Air Jordan Melo 5.5 "Away"

Carmelo's first signature shoes left a little bit to be desired from his hardcore fans and James' camp at Nike started breaking out new concept colorways with the IIIs, including one of the longest running ones — the Chinas.

January 18, 2006

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Air Jordan Melo 5.5 "Home" vs. Nike Zoom LeBron III "White/Black-Crimson" 

The Melo 5.5 vs. the LeBron III isn't really a fair match-up, but there's always something about a the clean take of a white and Carolina Blue Jordan that is tough to top. 

February 18, 2007

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Nike Zoom LeBron IV "All-Star" vs. Air Jordan Melo M3 "All-Star"

By '07 LeBron was already somewhat of a veteran in the All-Star Game and his designers and Nike were prepared, lacing him with one of the game's best sneakers. The graffiti-laced midsole stood out on the court and 'Brons 28-6-6 almost got him his first MVP honors. 

November 12, 2007

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Nike Zoom LeBron V "White/Navy" vs. Air Jordan Melo M4 "Home"

Fresh off teaming up for USA to help prep for the '08 Olympic Games, James and Anthony faced off in the NBA's first month at Denver and although 'Melo got the best of LeBron on the court, LeBron's signature joints were still the best in the game. 

February 10, 2008

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Nike Zoom LeBron V "China" vs. Air Jordan Melo M4 "Taxi"

Anthony's M4 "Taxis" were pretty dope, against any other opponent he might have taken this one — but LeBron's red and white "China" Vs were one of the best shoes of the season. Sorry 'Melo. 

February 17, 2008

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Air Jordan XX3 PE vs. Nike Zoom LeBron V "All-Star"

LeBron took home MVP honors but when Jordan Brand hooks you up with a player edition of number 23's XX3 — well, it's hard to fly with Mike. 

November 13, 2008

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Nike Zoom LeBron VI "Home" vs. Air Jordan Melo M5 PE

USA just grabbed the gold in Beijing and the guys in Beaverton cooked up some serious heat for two of Team USA's biggest stars. Melo's M5 was the biggest jump aesthetically from his previous kicks but the camouflage-featured VIs still hold up as one of LeBron's greatest kicks from Cleveland. 

December 19, 2008

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Nike Zoom LeBron VI "Hardwood Classics" vs. Air Jordan Melo M5 "Home"

The retro look is always dope, Mitchell & Ness already proved this. When the NBA rolled out the Hardwood Classics you knew it was going to a problem when players started getting kicks specifically to match the uniforms — even the ketchup and mustard joints went hard.  

February 14, 2010

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Nike Air Max LeBron VII "All-Star" vs. Air Jordan Melo M6 "All-Star"

February 18, 2010

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Air Jordan Melo M6 PE vs. Nike Air Max LeBron VII "White/Red"

Even 43 points from James couldn't hold Carmelo and the Nuggets down — not to mention the chill white and red jawns weren't really fuckin' with Carmelo's clean black and Carolina Blue PEs. 

February 20, 2011

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Nike LeBron 8 V2  "All-Star" vs. Air Jordan Melo M7 "All-Star"

There's always been some speculation that James would have went to Duke if the league enforced a mandatory age limit back when the Class of '03 enlisted for battle. The black and blue 8s were a reminder that King James would have held it down in Krzyzewskiville. 

February 27, 2011

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Nike LeBron 8 V2 "White/Black-Red" vs. Air Jordan Melo M7 "Blackout"

Right after the All-Star Game Anthony made the highly-anticipated move to NYC and in one of his first games at the Garden he blacked-out with 29 and 9 — the murdered-out M7s were pretty great, too. 

February 23, 2012

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Nike LeBron 9 "BHM" vs. Air Jordan Melo M8 "Away"

The season kicked off a little late thanks to the lockout, but that didn't stop Nike from creating some sick situational kicks for LeBron in his second season at MIA — including paying homage to African-American history with the "BHM" 9s. 

April 15, 2012

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Air Jordan Melo M8 "White/Orange" vs. Nike LeBron 9 Low "Black/Red"

The LeBron 9 has been an acquired taste for most — especially the lows. We have to go with 'Melo on this one. 

April 28, 2012

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Nike LeBron 9 Elite "Home"  vs. Air Jordan Melo M8 "Playoffs"

It took almost a decade for two of the biggest stars from the iconic class of '03 to meet up in the NBA Playoffs. You already know how it ended up on the court and LeBron's team at Nike hit him with a nice rotation of the upgraded 9s for the post-season. 

April 30, 2012

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Nike LeBron 9 Elite PE  vs. Air Jordan Melo M8 "Playoffs"

'Melo went with the same kicks for Game Two while 'Bron switched it up to a player edition featuring red hits by the midsole and a red lace swap — redrum. 

May 3, 2012

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Nike LeBron 9 Elite PE vs. Air Jordan Melo M8 "Playoffs"

Game Three took both teams to NYC and King James went with a third player edition in as many games, rocking a black, white, and red pair of his Playoff kicks. It's good to be the king. 

May 6, 2012

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Air Jordan Melo M8 "White/Navy" vs. Nike LeBron 9 Elite PE

The Knicks finally got a W at The Garden but Anthony's sneaker game still couldn't catch up with James' arsenal of player editions for the series. We're kind of curious what didn't even make the floor. 

May 9, 2012

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Air Jordan Melo M8 "Away" vs. Nike LeBron 9 Elite PE 

The Heat wrapped it up in five at home and Bron-Bron broke out the same PEs he rocked in Game Two — just shy of a triple-double and topping every "best-of" sneaker list for the month of May. The Heat didn't sweep, but Bron did. 5-0.

March 3, 2013

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Nike LeBron X "Carmex" & Lebron X PE vs. Air Jordan Melo M9 "Syracuse"

The last time the two goon squads met up, Miami was getting their streak going and LeBron being LeBron, he had to bust out something different for MSG. We had already seen shots of the "Carmex" Xs but no one really thought they would end up on the court. Even though he rocked them for just one half, they had every sneaker blog going nuts. 

November 2, 2012

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Nike LeBron X "Black/Red" vs. Air Jordan Melo M8 Advance "Knicks"

Back off another gold medal showing in London, LeBron and Carmelo were back to compete for bragging rights in the East. The Knicks knocked off Miami in the second game of the season and started off hot, but even 'Melo's Advanced M8s weren't messing with number 6's latest signature kicks.