Matt Varga Though the off-season came much sooner than LeBron James and his Lakers were expecting, The King has plenty to tend to in his time off the court. First and foremost in those endeavors is his “The Shop,” the Maverick Carter assisted series that’s boasted the likes of Jay-Z, Tom Brady and Jimmy Iovine. The franchise at last making its way to his signature line via the upcoming The Shop x Nike LeBron 21.
The inspiration for this shoe lies plain on the heel, bearing the scissor icon from the talk show’s logo. A small tag at the rear doubles down with “The Shop” text, but the biggest thing the franchise brings to this shoe is the palette. The blend of black & gold is both worn in the series’ logo as well as on the set, maintaining a regal, dimly lit atmosphere even as they’ve transitioned spaces throughout the years. This LeBron 21 enhances that same overall luxe atmosphere with a crushed velvet upper, a cut-out Swoosh on the medial side revealing rope ribbing. Rounding out the design, the outsole goes translucent, revealing a black & white camo pattern that crops up again on special edition insoles.
For completion’s sake, Laker faithful and strict sneakerheads may recognize this arrangement- James debuting this pair as a PE during LA’s Game 5 loss. Nonetheless, official images of the shoe reveal plenty of detail we weren’t able to catch in that first introduction.
The Nike x The Shop LeBron 21 is currently set for a June 7th release. Expect a $200 retail price upon arrival.
Sticking with signature basketball shoes, the Nike Sabrina 2‘s debut and the KD 17 “Producer Pack” loom as this summer’s biggest drops in the category.
WHERE TO BUY
The Shop x Nike LeBron 21
US 06/07/2024 Friday
| Retailer | Time | Shipping | Release type | Status | Reminder | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike SNKRS US | 10:00 | North America Only | Standard | Check Site | - |
