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On the court, LeBron is now The Greatest One. Statistically he's the best basketball player to ever lace 'em up, given his all-around excellence, especially given that his feats in the face of adversity go beyond the measurable.
But there is one place where LeBron James will never touch Michael Jordan and that's merchandise. Jordan has the hottest line of sneakers ever, while LeBron's shoes has been just a little to the left of busted since the first pair, designed to look like that mid-range Hummer that almost cost him his senior season at St. V.
And yet, manager Maverick Carter got Nike to give LeBron a billion dollars.
Related: Every Style of Air Jordans, Ranked
How did LeBron repay the Swoosh?
By landing in Cleveland wearing a #tealizard hat (we see you, Dame) and an Ultimate Warrior shirt from Homage.
No Nike branding at all—which was not unnoticed.
You can imagine how that went over in Beaverton:
"Heyyyyyyy Mav! It's Phil. Hey, uh, I couldn't help but noticing that Bron showed up wearing a bunch of stuff from other brands instead of Nike when he got off the plane in Cleveland."
"Does Nike make a Kermit hat?"
"Well, no, but, see, here's the thing—we gave you a billion bucks, remember?"
"Hmmmm."
"Normally, you know, I wouldn't pester you but…"
"All right, P, let me talk to the King—tell Chilly Tee that I said 'sup?'"
"I will! I will!"
And so it came to be that LeBron wore all Nike Air gear and some Ducks sneakers to the parade in Cleveland yesterday, as noticed by Nice Kicks.
Two things: First, LeBron wore those sneakers because they're green and gold. He's always reppin' St. V.
Second, like all loyal Buckeyes, he loves the Ducks.
I mean, how can you not?
Willamette Week