words // Nick DePaula
originally published May 13th, 2012
On May 13th, LeBron James was presented with his latest Maurice Podoloff Trophy as the NBA's 2011-2012 Most Valuable Player. It's his third such hardware, putting him in elite company as only the eighth player in league history to have won thrice. Being in the same sentence as Kareem, Michael, Russell, Wilt, Larry, Magic and Moses is quite the accomplishment for a kid from Akron.
As is to be expected, Nike Basketball planned ahead and had a MVP themed sneaker all ready to go for LeBron to wear on his ceremony day, just as they did in 2009 and in 2010. At the specific request of LeBron, the shoe he wore all during the regular season, the LeBron 9, was given the MVP treatment. He's of course hoping that his playoff-worn LeBron 9 Elite will have its own Finals celebratory colorway down the road.
With the on-court unveiling of the "MVP" LeBron 9 during Miami's Game 1 win over the Indiana Pacers, lets also take a look back at the other MVP signature sneakers that King James broke out for his 2009 and 2010 honors in the Zoom LeBron VI and Air Max LeBron VII.
Be sure to cast your vote ahead in the poll below to rank your favorite MVP sneaker. Was it the "Witness" themed VI that incorporated a crackled leather and rugged upper to represent the hard work of his first MVP year, his letterman chenille inspired seventh model, or perhaps his newest MVP version that he debuted on court today? Vote ahead and we'll see which model comes out on top.
Nike Zoom LeBron VI "MVP"
Nike Air Max LeBron VII "MVP"
Nike LeBron 9 "MVP"
