John Kim 
The idea of being Away from Home doesn’t scare LeBron on bit. In fact, his scoring averages and minutes played are higher than when compared to his Home performances, indicating a larger dependency by the team on their superstar leaders. But that’s what a natural born leader expects – greater responsibility with a lot more ground to cover – and in his career, LeBron James has proven that any basketball court, despite its location, is where he’s most comfortable. What’s more is that LeBron is a superstar outside of the city of Miami; you’ll find Nike LeBrons on the feet of hoops fans all around the globe – even in cities where fans of local franchises actively root against the guy.
So as the “Away” LeBron 11 prepares for a release this Friday – the first Nike LeBron officially billed by Nike as an “Away” – we’ve gathered a chronological time-line of all the Black-based colorways of LeBron-branded shoes that we’ve seen on the King’s feet. Of course league dress policy has gotten much more lenient and the PE boom will probably place LeBron in special editions rather than these, but we can certainly expect these on his feet early on in the season. Continue on below for a quick timeline and stay tuned for a release of the Nike LeBron 11 “Away” this Friday, November 1st at Nike Basketball retailers.
Nike Air Zoom Generation – 2003
Although LeBron’s first game in the NBA was away from the then Quicken Loans Arena, he did not wear this Black/Red colorway for that game. However, he did steadily rock the Black/Red joints for Away games.
2004 – Nike Zoom LeBron II
LeBron’s selection as an All-Star Starter meant that fans outside of Cleveland were embracing the much-hyped young phenom.
Nike Zoom LeBron III – 2005
The third LeBron shoe featured an all-black upper with a full-length Zoom cushion unit encased in a red Pebax shell, and he almost exclusively rocked them outside of Cleveland.
Nike Zoom LeBron IV – 2004
Think the LeBron 11 was the first sig shoe with Posite technology? Wrong. The IV featured a midsole-less Foamposite to give the shoe some unique bulk.
Nike Zoom LeBron V – 2007
Nike Basketball added some touches of gold in this model; the color perfectly matches the Black/Red composition on this colorway.
Nike Zoom LeBron VI – 2008
The “Away” allegiance of this LeBron VI colorway is a bit hazy, as LeBron wore these with Home, Away, and Alternate unis.
Nike Air Max LeBron VII – 2009
Black Patent Leather with a red sole? Says “Bred” more than it does “Away”, doesn’t it?
Nike Zoom LeBron VII P.S. – 2010
Nike slimmed down the LeBron VII for the postseason, creating this Away pair for LBJ’s games away from Cleveland.
Nike LeBron 8 – 2010
Luckily, LeBron picked a team (the Heat) with similar colors to the Cavaliers, meaning the classic Black/Red would stay put for years to come.
Nike LeBron 8 P.S. – 2011
Nike slims down yet again for the posteason, mixing in a Hyperfuse shell with a cushioning set up that chopped the visible Air in half.
Nike LeBron 9 – 2011
Jason Petrie went for a drastic change in the LeBron 9, didn’t he? This would be the model that really emphasized the “PE”.
Nike LeBron 9 Elite – 2012
Combo Breaker! Nike introduced the new Elite series, designating this fresh Black/Gold colorway specifically for Away games in the NBA Finals.
Nike LeBron X – 2012
Feeling the pressure? Nah. Nike set up this Away-friendly colorway known as “Pressure”. A true “Away” colorway of the Elite would not release for the LeBron X.
Nike LeBron 11 – 2013
Officially billed as the “Away”, this LeBron 11 figures to be on James’ feet early on in the season (before all the PEs begin to roll in).
