by Brandon Richard
From the onset of last season, it was clear that LeBron James didn’t feel comfortable playing in the Nike LeBron 11. "I could wear them, but they don't feel as great as I want them to feel," James told ESPN. "So we're redefining them, and I feel like this next round is going to be perfect."
However, Nike and James were never able to find that perfect round. He often reverted to the LeBron 10, before settling in the Zoom Soldier 7 by season’s end. In 77 regular season games and 20 in the postseason, James played in the LeBron 11 just 35 times, switching out of the model mid-game during 9 of those contests.
James’ unwillingness to wear his $200 signature shoe was a hot topic of discussion on sneaker websites and other media outlets like Esquire and the Wall Street Journal. In response, Nike issued a statement, saying, "The LeBron 11 is one of the most innovative Nike basketball shoes to date, and we look forward to LeBron stepping back on the court in his latest signature shoe soon.”
Of course, James never really stepped back on the court in the 11 and finished the season in his cheaper team model. Business didn’t take a hit, but the legacy of the shoe did. What will be most remembered about the LeBron 11 is that James didn’t care much for the shoe as a performer.
Whatever issues James had with the 11 were worked out when the design team rolled out the LeBron 12. Back in his signature model, James went on to wear the 12 or 12 Elite in almost every regular season and playoff game in his return season to Cleveland. Below is a look at what James wore in every game of the 2014-2015 NBA season, starting with his first game back at the Q.
October 30, 2014
Opponent: New York Knicks
Colorway: Blue/Yellow-Red & Blue/Red-Yellow PEs
Stats: 17 Points, 5 Rebounds, 4 Assists
October 31, 2014
Opponent: Chicago Bulls
Colorway: ‘Heart of a Lion’
Stats: 36 Points, 8 Rebounds, 5 Assists
November 4, 2014
Opponent: Portland Trail Blazers
Colorway: Red/Black-Yellow PE
Stats: 11 Points, 7 Rebounds, 7 Assists
November 5, 2014
Opponent: Utah Jazz
Colorway: Black/Yellow PE
Stats: 31 Points, 3 Rebounds, 4 Assists
November 7, 2014
Opponent: Denver Nuggets
Colorway: ‘Veteran’s Day’ PE
Stats: 22 Points, 7 Rebounds, 11 Assists
November 10, 2014
Opponent: New Orleans Pelicans
Colorway: White/Red PE
Stats: 32 Points, 11 Rebounds, 9 Assists
November 14, 2014
Opponent: Boston Celtics
Colorway: Black/Yellow PE
Stats: 41 Points, 4 Rebounds, 7 Assists
November 15, 2014
Opponent: Atlanta Hawks
Colorway: Grey/Yellow PE
Stats: 32 Points, 6 Rebounds, 7 Assists
November 17, 2014
Opponent: Denver Nuggets
Colorway: 'Heart of a Lion'
Stats: 22 Points, 9 Rebounds, 5 Assists
November 19, 2014
Opponent: San Antonio Spurs
Colorway: White/Yellow-Blue PE
Stats: 15 Points, 6 Rebounds, 9 Assists
November 21, 2014
Opponent: Washington Wizards
Colorway: Red/Yellow PE
Stats: 22 Points, 4 Rebounds, 4 Assists
November 22, 2014
Opponent: Toronto Raptors
Colorway: Red/Yellow PE
Stats: 15 Points, 1 Rebounds, 10 Assists
November 24, 2014
Opponent: Orlando Magic
Colorway: ‘Heart of a Lion’
Stats: 29 Points, 4 Rebounds, 11 Assists
November 26, 2014
Opponent: Washington Wizards
Colorway: White/Black-Yellow PE
Stats: 29 Points, 10 Rebounds, 8 Assists
November 29, 2014
Opponent: Indiana Pacers
Colorway: White/Black-Yellow PE
Stats: 19 Points, 2 Rebounds, 7 Assists
December 2, 2014
Opponent: Milwaukee Bucks
Colorway: Grey/Yellow PE
Stats: 26 Points, 5 Rebounds, 10 Assists
December 4, 2014
Opponent: New York Knicks
Colorway: ‘Data’ PE
Stats: 19 Points, 5 Rebounds, 12 Assists
December 5, 2014
Opponent: Toronto Raptors
Colorway: Black/Yellow PE
Stats: 24 Points, 7 Rebounds, 13 Assists
December 8, 2014
Opponent: Brooklyn Nets
Colorway: Red/Yellow PE
Stats: 18 Points, 4 Rebounds, 7 Assists
December 9, 2014
Opponent: Toronto Raptors
Colorway: White/Yellow-Blue PE
Stats: 35 Points, 2 Rebounds, 4 Assists
December 12, 2014
Opponent: New Orleans Pelicans
Colorway: ‘Taxi’ PE
Stats: 41 Points, 5 Rebounds, 5 Assists
December 15, 2014
Opponent: Charlotte Hornets
Colorway: White/Red PE
Stats: 27 Points, 7 Rebounds, 14 Assists
December 17, 2014
Opponent: Atlanta Hawks
Colorway: Black/Red PE
Stats: 21 Points, 3 Rebounds, 2 Assists
December 19, 2014
Opponent: Brooklyn Nets
Colorway: White/Black-Yellow PE
Stats: 22 Points, 4 Rebounds, 9 Assists
December 21, 2014
Opponent: Memphis Grizzlies
Colorway: White/Red PE
Stats: 25 Points, 1 Rebounds, 11 Assists
December 23, 2014
Opponent: Minnesota Timberwolves
Colorway: White/Red-Silver PE
Stats: 24 Points, 4 Rebounds, 3 Assists
December 25, 2014
Opponent: Miami Heat
Colorway: ‘Christmas’
Stats: 30 Points, 4 Rebounds, 8 Assists
December 26, 2014
Opponent: Orlando Magic
Colorway: White/Yellow-Black PE
Stats: 29 Points, 5 Rebounds, 8 Assists
December 28, 2014
Opponent: Detroit Pistons
Colorway: White/Black-Yellow PE
Stats: 17 Points, 10 Rebounds, 7 Assists
January 13, 2015
Opponent: Phoenix Suns
Colorway: Red/Black PE
Stats: 33 Points, 7 Rebounds, 5 Assists
January 15, 2015
Opponent: Los Angeles Lakers
Colorway: Black/Yellow-Red PE
Stats: 36 Points, 5 Rebounds, 5 Assists
January 16, 2015
Opponent: Los Angeles Clippers
Colorway: Red/Blue-Yellow PE
Stats: 32 Points, 11 Rebounds, 7 Assists
January 19, 2015
Opponent: Chicago Bulls
Colorway: White/Black-Yellow PE
Stats: 26 Points, 5 Rebounds, 4 Assists
January 21, 2015
Opponent: Utah Jazz
Colorway: Grey/Yellow PE
Stats: 26 Points, 7 Rebounds, 9 Assists
January 23, 2015
Opponent: Charlotte Hornets
Colorway: White/Yellow-Red PE
Stats: 25 Points, 6 Rebounds, 9 Assists
January 25, 2015
Opponent: Oklahoma City Thunder
Colorway: White/Red-Yellow PE
Stats: 34 Points, 7 Rebounds, 6 Assists
February 2, 2015
Opponent: Philadelphia 76ers
Colorway: Black/White
Stats: 18 Points, 3 Rebounds, 11 Assists
February 5, 2015
Opponent: Los Angeles Clippers
Colorway: “BHM”
Stats: 23 Points, 3 Rebounds, 9 Assists
February 6, 2015
Opponent: Indiana Pacers
Colorway: Black/Yellow - Red PE
Stats: 25 Points, 6 Rebounds, 5 Assists
February 8, 2015
Opponent: Los Angeles Lakers
Colorway: “Grammy”
Stats: 22 Points, 10 Rebounds, 8 Assists
February 11, 2015
Opponent: Miami Heat
Colorway: White/Red
Stats: 18 Points, 9 Rebounds, 7 Assists
Feb. 12, 2015
Opponent: Chicago Bulls
Colorway: Black/Yellow - Red PE
Stats: 31 Points, 5 Rebounds, 4 Assists
February 15, 2015
Opponent: Western Conference
Colorway: “All Star”
Stats: 30 Points, 5 Rebounds, 7 Assists
February 20, 2015
Opponent: Washington Wizards
Colorway: Red/Red PE
Stats: 28 Points, 5 Rebounds, 6 Assists
February 22, 2015
Opponent: New York Knicks
Colorway: Black/Red
Stats: 18 Points, 7 Rebounds, 7 Assists
February 24, 2015
Opponent: Detroit Pistons
Colorway: White/Red - Yellow PE
Stats: 19 Points, 7 Rebounds, 11 Assists
February 26, 2015
Opponent: Golden State Warriors
Colorway: Blue/Yellow (Nike LeBron Ambassaror 7)
Stats: 42 Points, 11 Rebounds, 5 Assists
March 1, 2015
Opponent: Houston Rockets
Colorway: Navy/Red PE
Stats: 37 Points, 8 Rebounds, 4 Assists
March 3, 2015
Opponent: Boston Celtics
Colorway: White/Yellow - Red PE
Stats: 27 Points, 3 Rebounds, 5 Assists
March 4, 2015
Opponent: Toronto Raptors
Colorway: Black/Red PE
Stats: 29 Points, 6 Rebounds, 14 Assists
March 6, 2015
Opponent: Atlanta Hawks
Colorway: Black/White & Black/Yellow - Red PEs
Stats: 18 Points, 6 Rebounds, 8 Assists
March 7, 2015
Opponent: Phoenix Suns
Colorway: White/Red - Yellow PE
Stats: 17 Points, 6 Rebounds, 8 Assists
March 10, 2015
Opponent: Dallas Mavericks
Colorway: White/Navy PE
Stats: 27 Points, 7 Rebounds, 8 Assists
March 12, 2015
Opponent: San Antonio Spurs
Colorway: White/Red - Yellow PE
Stats: 31 Points, 5 Rebounds, 7 Assists
March 15, 2015
Opponent: Orlando Magic
Colorway: White/Red PE
Stats: 21 Points, 8 Rebounds, 13 Assists
March 16, 2015
Opponent: Miami Heat
Colorway: Red/Blue - Yellow PE
Stats: 26 Points, 2 Rebounds, 4 Assists
March 18, 2015
Opponent: Brooklyn Nets
Colorway: Black/Yellow - Red
Stats: 16 Points, 3 Rebounds, 7 Assists
March 20, 2015
Opponent: Indiana Pacers
Colorway: White/Red - Yellow PE
Stats: 29 Points, 7 Rebounds, 5 Assists
March 22, 2015
Opponent: Milwaukee Bucks
Colorway: Black/Red “23 Chromosomes PE”
Stats: 28 Points, 10 Rebounds, 6 Assists
March 25, 2015
Opponent: Memphis Grizzlies
Colorway: “Green Week PE”
Stats: 20 Points, 8 Rebounds, 5 Assists
March 27, 2015
Opponent: Brooklyn Nets
Colorway: White/Navy - Yellow PE
Stats: 24 Points, 5 Rebounds, 9 Assists
March 29, 2015
Opponent: Philadelphia 76ers
Colorway: “Double Helix PE”
Stats: 20 Points, 11 Rebounds, 6 Assists
April 2, 2015
Opponent: Miami Heat
Colorway: “USA” (LeBron 12 Low)
Stats: 23 Points, 8 Rebounds, 7 Assists
April 5, 2015
Opponent: Chicago Bulls
Colorway: “Easter”
Stats: 20 Points, 10 Rebounds, 12 Assists
April 8, 2015
Opponent: Milwaukee Bucks
Colorway: Black/White - Red
Stats: 21 Points, 9 Rebounds, 8 Assists
April 10, 2015
Opponent: Boston Celtics
Colorway: “All Star PE” (Zoom LeBron 3) & White/Red PE
Stats: 14 Points, 3 Rebounds, 7 Assists
April 13, 2015
Opponent: Detroit Pistons
Colorway: White/Red - Yellow PE
Stats: 21 Points, 10 Rebounds, 11 Assists
April 19, 2015
Opponent: Boston Celtics
Colorway: "Team" Elite
Stats: 20 Points, 6 Rebounds, 7 Assists
April 21, 2015
Opponent: Boston Celtics
Colorway: Navy/White-Yellow Elite PE
Stats: 30 Points, 9 Rebounds, 7 Assists
April 23, 2015
Opponent: Boston Celtics
Colorway: Navy/White-Yellow Elite PE
Stats: 31 Points, 11 Rebounds, 4 Assists
April 26, 2015
Opponent: Boston Celtics
Colorway: Navy/White-Yellow Elite PE
Stats: 27 Points, 10 Rebounds, 8 Assists
May 4, 2015
Opponent: Chicago Bulls
Colorway: "Cavs" Elite PE
Stats: 19 Points, 15 Rebounds, 9 Assists
May 6, 2015
Opponent: Chicago Bulls
Colorway: "Double Helix" PE
Stats: 33 Points, 8 Rebounds, 5 Assists
May 8, 2015
Opponent: Chicago Bulls
Colorway: White/Navy-Yellow-Red PE
Stats: 27 Points, 8 Rebounds, 14 Assists
May 10, 2015
Opponent: Chicago Bulls
Colorway: White/Yellow/Red-Navy PE
Stats: 25 Points, 14 Rebounds, 8 Assists
May 12, 2015
Opponent: Chicago Bulls
Colorway: "LeBron's Mix"
Stats: 38 Points, 12 Rebounds, 6 Assists
May 14, 2015
Opponent: Chicago Bulls
Colorway: Navy/Yellow-Red PE
Stats: 15 Points, 9 Rebounds, 11 Assists
May 20, 2015
Opponent: Atlanta Hawks
Colorway: White/Navy-Yellow Red PE
Stats: 31 Points, 8 Rebounds, 6 Assists
May 22, 2015
Opponent: Atlanta Hawks
Colorway: Red/Navy-Yellow PE
Stats: 30 Points, 9 Rebounds, 11 Assists
May 24, 2015
Opponent: Atlanta Hawks
Colorway: "Double Helix" & Black/Yellow-Red PE
Stats: 37 Points, 18 Rebounds, 13 Assists
May 26, 2015
Opponent: Atlanta Hawks
Colorway: White/Red-Yellow PE
Stats: 23 Points, 9 Rebounds, 7 Assists
June 4, 2015
Opponent: Golden State Warriors
Colorway: White/Gold-Navy-Wine PE
Stats: 44 Points, 8 Rebounds, 5 Assists
June 7, 2015
Opponent: Golden State Warriors
Colorway: Black/Red-White Elite PE
Stats: 39 Points, 16 Rebounds, 11 Assists
June 9, 2015
Opponent: Golden State Warriors
Colorway: White/Black-Gold Elite PE & "Witness"
Stats: 40 Points, 12 Rebounds, 8 Assists
June 11, 2015
Opponent: Golden State Warriors
Colorway: Wine/Gold-Navy PE
Stats: 20 Points, 12 Rebounds, 8 Assists
June 14, 2015
Opponent: Golden State Warriors
Colorway: Black/Red-Yellow Navy PE
Stats: 40 Points, 14 Rebounds, 11 Assists
June 16, 2015
Opponent: Golden State Warriors
Colorway: Gold/Wine-Navy Finals PE
Stats: 32 Points, 18 Rebounds, 9 Assists