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For no particular reason, players all around the league this week dusted off several now-vintage pairs from LeBron James' long-running Nike signature series, making for a makeshift celebration of the 15-year run of James' elite-level play. Nike's LeBron series is now the longest-running consecutive signature line for an NBA player (Michael Jordan retired after his 14th Air Jordan model). James himself wore his current LeBron 15 sneaker in a special-edition colorway Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers, fittingly in Nike's backyard. They were styled in a bright-orange-and-gray striped look inspired by some of the brand's earliest shoe-box designs. PJ Tucker has been honoring James' game all year and unearthed a pair from LeBron's second season in the league. The perfectly matching, red and silver Nike Zoom 20.5.5 model was dubbed to highlight the elite company the 19-year-old phenom was among after his rookie year. At the time, James joined only Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan as rookies to average 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game. Wizards wing Mike Scott also wore a pair from James' second season, the Zoom LeBron 2, while Hawks guard Malik Beasley broke out the "Cork" LeBron X, which commemorate James' first championship. While still sidelined from game action for another week, Stephen Curry celebrated his 30th birthday Wednesday by debuting his new Curry 5 signature model during his pregame workout. The design takes heavy inspiration from his March 14th birthday, and the many angles, curvatures and theories related to Pi Day (3.14). Rounding out the week was a great gesture from Grizzlies teammates Marc Gasol and Mike Conley Jr, who wore white sneakers autographed by several young patients currently receiving care at the nearby St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Check out the best sneakers worn around the NBA this week and vote for your favorite pair below.
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