Image via Complex Original
Back in 2010, all of New York City was praying that LeBron James' "The Decision" would land him in the Big Apple. And it wasn't just wishful thinking. LeBron loves NYC. He's a Yankees fan, and he loves showing out at Madison Square Garden. LeBron wound up going in a different direction, but his connection with MSG and New York remains strong.
Since his rookie season in 2003, LeBron has been balling at Madison Square Garden, and he's made it a habit of breaking out special sneakers for the NYC hardwood. LeBron and the Heat square off against the Knicks at the World's Most Famous Arena this evening, and to commemorate the event, here's A Complete History of LeBron James' Sneakers Worn at Madison Square Garden.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, February 22, 2004
What he wore: Nike Air Zoom Generation (Black/White-Red)
Stat line: 22 pts, 5 rebs, 3 asts
LeBron's hype was very high as he made his first trip as a pro to MSG, in which he modestly wore his GR black/red version of the Air Zoom Generation. He posted not-so-rookie-like numbers and gave New York a taste of his soon-to-be Nike signature shoe dynasty.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, April 14, 2004
What he wore: Nike Air Zoom Generation (Black/White-Red)
Stat line: 22 pts, 5 rebs, 3 asts
Oh, naive LeBron. You can't wear the same kicks twice at MSG, don't you know that? When you show up to the Big Apple, you need to show OUT. Colorways are at your disposal, so rocking the black/white and red version again seems kind of...childish? He gon' learn, though. Oh yes, he gon' learn.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, November 21, 2004
What he wore: Nike Zoom LeBron II (Black/White-Red)
Stat line: 13 pts, 9 rebs, 10 asts
In just his third NBA game in the Garden, in just his second year, LeBron almost does the unthinkable and drops a triple-double, coming just one rebound short. And he did it while rocking his brand-new second signature shoe, the Nike Zoom LeBron II, in the OG black/white and red colorway. Things would just get worse for the Knicks from here.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, April 5, 2006
What he wore: Nike Zoom LeBron III (Black/Gold)
Stat line: 36 pts, 2 rebs, 7 asts
His affinity for black kicks is becoming apparent as he rocks yet another predominantly black colorway, this time with gold accents as he drops his (short-lived) career high at MSG. The black and gold version of the III was one of the most sought after because of the dope gold accents that hadn't really been featured on one of LeBron's signature shoes yet. It was almost LeBron's announcement that he has accepted the kingship, so give him his gold crown.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, November 13, 2006
What he wore: Nike Zoom LeBron IV ("NYC Graffiti")
Stat line: 29 pts, 4 rebs, 6 asts
Bron Bron out here trying to show his cultural side now, sporting a very unique "graffiti" edition of his Nike Zoom LeBron IV, paying homage to NYC's underground art scene. He painted a damn pretty picture on the hardwood, too, carving the Knicks up and helping his Cavs take a six-point victory back to Cleveland, along with his NYC-inspired kicks.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, March 28, 2007
What he wore: Nike Zoom LeBron IV (Black/Red)
Stat line: 24 pts, 6 rebs, 7 asts
Is it not a coincidence that whenever the King rocks an uninspiring (or general release) pair of his signature shoes to Madison Square Garden, his team loses? Probably, but when he busted out the black and red colorway of his Nike Zoom LeBron IVs for a 24-point loss, he must have been missing the Graffitis.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, December 19, 2007
What he wore: Nike Zoom LeBron V (Black/Varsity Crimson)
Stat line: 32 pts, 8 rebs, 6 asts
With a 23rd birthday right around the corner, Bron Bron wanted to showcase a special colorway at MSG to commemorate it while dropping a cool 32, 8 and 6. The Varsity Crimson Vs showing off his Cavalier pride, helping Cleveland believe he'd be there forever...suckers.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, March 5, 2008
What he wore: Nike Zoom LeBron V ("Yankees")
Stat line: 50 pts, 8 rebs, 10 asts
You have to be a special breed to play extraordinarily in a hostile environment like MSG, but LeBron had no trouble doing this in his first-ever Yankees colorway featured on his fifth signature shoe. Dropping a cool 50 while supporting his favorite baseball team, which just so happens to be based in the town he's putting a hurting on, is all in a king's day's work.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, November 25, 2008
What he wore: Nike Zoom LeBron VI ("Big Apple")
Stat line: 26 pts, 4 rebs, 1 ast
LeBron continued his reign of superior colorways for his sixth signature shoe, unleashing the Big Apple especially for, well, the Big Apple. Cavs win by 18, Knicks are futile and LeBron kicks get more pub than any Knicks player. What's new?
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, February 4, 2009
What he wore: Nike Zoom LeBron VI ("Yankees")
Stat line: 52 pts, 9 rebs, 11 asts
OK, so he wears the V in the Yankees colorway at MSG and drops 50 back in March, 2008. Decides to wear the Yankees colorway again? An almost-triple double with 52-fucking-points. (He actually had a triple-double until one rebound was taken away and credited to Ben Wallace.) This should make you wonder why LeBron doesn't just make a special Yankees colorway for when he plays the Knicks, if not every game for the rest of his career!
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, November 6, 2009
What he wore: Nike Air Max LeBron VII ("Red Carpet")
Stat line: 33 pts, 8 rebs, 9 asts
In what would be LeBron's last game as a Cavalier in Madison Square Garden, which just happened to be on Thanksgiving, it's only fitting he would wear one of his most hyped shoes yet; the "Red Carpet" LeBron VII. With the world watching, the 33, 8 and 9 stat line was definitely deserving of a bow as the fans chanted his name hoping he chose NYC as his next residence. Oh how disappointed they would soon be. At least he chose them to debut this beautiful colorway, that's gotta mean something right?
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks, December 17, 2010
What he wore: Nike LeBron 8 PE (Black/White)
Stat line: 32 pts, 11 rebs, 10 asts
LeBron's first trip back to MSG was not well received after the debacle that is now known as "The Decision," in which the New York Knicks were not the answer. Didn't stop him from fucking around and getting a triple-double in this player exclusive all black with white Nike Swoosh colorway.
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks, January 27, 2011
What he wore: Nike LeBron 8 PE (Black/White)
Stat line: 24 pts, 11 rebs, 5 asts
"The Decision" seems like ages ago and, even though New Yorkers are still royally pissed, they aren't necessarily upset with having Melo on their side. That seems to help the Knicks to a (rare) victory against the Heat as LeBron's Heat-inspired PEs couldn't lead him to another dub in the burgeoning Eastern Conference.
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks, April 15, 2012
What he wore: Nike LeBron 9 Low (Black/Red)
Stat line: 29 pts, 10 rebs, 3 asts
LeBron rocking lows is a rare sight, so when he decided to rock them at MSG it raised some eyebrows. Would he go the way of Kobe and Durant for his 10th signature shoe? Oh, and he put up 29 points and 10 boards, so another boring double-double and a win, but whatevs, right? HE'S WEARING LOWS AT MSG!
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks, May 3, 2012
What he wore: Nike LeBron 9 PS Elite PE (Black/White/Red)
Stat line: 32 pts, 8 rebs, 5 asts
Another Heat-inspired player exclusive for James as he makes his first playoff appearance against the Knicks in Madison Square Garden. And he didn't disappoint as he put on quite a show to lead the Heat to a 17-point win. The black and red colorways will never get old as he channels his inner MJ both on and off the court.
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks, May 6, 2012
What he wore: Nike LeBron 9 PE (Black/Red)
Stat line: 27 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asts
The Knicks decided to show up in the first round of the Eastern Conference First Round and pulled this one out against LeBron and the Heat. LeBron's black and red PEs catapulted him a modest (in LBJ standards) 27, 4, and 4 for his last game at MSG of the 2012-'13 season. He'd later wear these in a 45-point Game Six of the NBA Finals when they were dubbed the "Hunger Game" Away PE.
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks, November 2, 2012
What he wore: Nike LeBron X (Black/Red)
Stat line: 23 pts, 7 rebs, 5 asts
Decent showing from LBJ on the court. Decent showing from LBJ with the black and red colorway of the Xs. Awful showing from the Heat as the Knicks put the stank on them by 20. There would be some great adjustments by all come March, though.
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks, March 3, 2013
What he wore: Nike LeBron X ("Carmex")/Nike Lebron X (Grey/Red)
Stat line: 29 pts, 11 rebs, 7 asts
The perennial stat stuffer did not disappoint in his most recent trip to The Gawdin. He also didn't disappoint as he showcased not one, but two pairs of his 10th signature shoe in player-exclusive versions, naturally—a very unique Carmex lip balm colorway and a more tame grey/red colorway.
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks, January 9, 2014
The King has filled the stat sheets and has graced us with a bounty of special editions of his signature line. What will he break out for his first trip back to MSG in 2014? The XIs are clearly the best shoe of 2013, so surely 2014 has some great options, right? Maybe the unreleased Hardwood Classics with the classic Knicks colorway to shove it right in New York's face? Maybe the "No Swoosh"? Our vote goes to the Graffitis, but whatever kicks he decides to rock, he will most likely put numbers on the board.