Ten years after coming back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, LeBron James is taking another dig at his rivals with his signature sneaker.
The Nike LeBron 23 “Hurt Feelings Write History” calls back to the historic championship and a comment made by Klay Thompson after a heated Game 4. James had gotten into a confrontation with Draymond Green, who was suspended for the following game for hitting LeBron in the groin, and in the press conference Thompson said, “It’s a man’s league, and I guess his feelings just got hurt.”
Upon hearing Thompson’s quote from a reporter, James only laughed and then went on with the Cavs to become the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
While its name is spicy, the treatment for the LeBron 23 is relatively standard championship fare. Its rendered entirely in black and gold, with the latter color used for the crown-shaped portion of the upper, branding elements and striping on the laces.
Each edition of the LeBron 23 gets its own special logo, typically on the heel, but this one moves to the shoe’s medial side with hand over a basketball likely intended to represent James’ famous block on Andre Iguodala in Game 7. In the usual spot comes a pair of gold rivets reading, “Best Ever” with the numbers 2 and 3 split between them.
The Nike LeBron 23 “Hurt Feelings Write History” will release April 17 through Nike’s website and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $210.
Nike LeBron 23 “Hurt Feelings Write History” (pair)
Nike LeBron 23 “Hurt Feelings Write History” (lateral)
Nike LeBron 23 “Hurt Feelings Write History” (medial)
Nike LeBron 23 “Hurt Feelings Write History” (above)
Nike LeBron 23 “Hurt Feelings Write History” (heel)
Nike LeBron 23 “Hurt Feelings Write History” (outsole)