Breaking Down New LeBron James 'LeBronold Palmer 9' Nike Shoes
LeBron James leaked a photo of his new sneaker on Wednesday. The kicks are a spin-off of his Nike LeBron 9 Low series. Despite their rumored "player-only" status, these shoes are going to make waves.
James' Twitter account held this picture of the "LeBronold Palmers."
"LeBronold Palmer 9 lows #yikes instagr.am/p/M65Tx5iTKO/
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 11, 2012"
We don't know much about LeBron's new sneakers, but at least we know what they look like. No one outside of NBA players may be allowed to wear them, so they may not even be worth your excitement, but they will be fun to look at in the meantime.
Let's break down LeBron's newest creation.
"WOW" Factor: 8 out of 10
I was shocked when I first opened the Instagram picture on LeBron's tweet. It's not that the shoes jump off the page. They just aren't what you expect.
LeBron's aggressive play on the court doesn't exactly shout bright "beachy" colors, but that's what he presents here.
Would I wear these shoes? Probably not, but I'm sure people will. They catch your attention because they don't look like any other shoe. Out of every low-top sneaker in the world, how many have a beach depicted on their leather?
LeBron James didn't just combine his name with the tasty half iced tea, half lemonade drink called an Arnold Palmer. He combined his name with another sports legend.
That adds to the "wow" factor.
These shoes grab your attention without using bright colors. I bet you were surprised when you first saw the picture. If not, look again.
Design: 9 out of 10
These shoes are designed perfectly for their purpose. If players are the only ones who can wear them, it will become the Miami Heat's signature shoe. It doesn't matter how it looks to anyone else. The depicted beach will provide Miami a "South Beach" cliché.
If the rumors aren't true and the shoes are put in retail stores, we will see thousands of Heat fans wearing these sneakers to each home game.
I anticipate a cult-like following for two reasons. Their design illustrates the Miami Heat, and LeBron is LeBron. Anything he puts in stores right now will sell.
The shoes themselves are certainly interesting, but the idea was brilliant. When you walk into the room wearing these kicks, people are going to comment. They catch your attention because they're completely unique.
Overall Swag Grade: 8.5 out of 10
The LeBronold Palmers' sandy beaches are going to pop up all over the country. LeBron's brand is at its peak after winning his first NBA championship and another MVP award.
These sneakers are for people who want to be noticed—people who want others to look at their shoes and wish they were theirs.
LeBron's new line will inspire more vacations (probably not) and a new sneaker frenzy (probably). Part of that is because of the "LeBron is LeBron" factor, and part of that lies in the shoes themselves.
Nike makes a great product. The color arrangement catches your eye, and you find yourself just looking at them.
They didn't do it in the traditional mold, despite their conservative low-top cut. The LeBronold Palmers will keep LeBron in the headlines for weeks to come.
