In 2004, Nike made a tasteful edition of the Air Zoom Generation, LeBron James‘ first signature sneaker for the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles. The only problem: James wasn’t named to the All-Star team, marking the only time in his career that he’d miss out on the honors.
All these years later, the Nike Air Zoom Generation “LA All-Star” is slated to release for the first time. A simple color scheme made to match the Eastern Conference All-Stars’ uniforms sees the sneaker given a an upper with smooth and textured white leather paneling and a white sole unit. Red and blue accents are then scattered throughout, including a dual-color “LA” logo beneath the lateral heel and a blue Swoosh lined with red embroidery. Embroidery on the inner collar then calls out the date of that year’s contest: Feb. 15, 2024.
Nike previously called back to this rendition of James’ sneaker for the 2018 All-Star Game, also in Los Angeles, by giving him another version identical but for the new date on the interior: Feb. 18, 2018. That pair, like the original, never released to the public.
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It’s possible some changes will be made for the iteration dropping next year — pictures here of the ’04 version — but its arrival is fortuitous given that James will now be playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, whose colors are blue, red and white.
James isn’t above being petty either, as one of the 23 LeBron 23 colorways took a dig at the Golden State Warriors’ and a Klay Thompson quote saying James’ feelings were hurt in the NBA players. So this sneaker for an All-Star appearance that never was could be calling out what he feels like was a mistake more than two decades and 22 All-Star selections later.
The Nike Air Zoom Generation “LA All-Star” will release Feb. 19, 2027, the first day of All-Star Weekend, likely through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $190.
