How The Lebron/MJ Comparison Streches Beyond The Court

Many people love to cover the Lebron James vs Michael Jordan storyline from an on court perspective but this story goes far beyond the hardwood. When you are as great as those 2 are at the NBA level a lot of business opportunities are thrown your way and both of them their hands in a lot of endorsement deals. Jordan and James have endorsement deals with company's such as Nike, Mcdonalds, Hanes, Bubbalicious and more. So the comparison between them should never be just regulated to on the court statistics but incorporate off the court influence on the game of basketball and its culture.

Obviously no player in history has had a more cultural impact than MJ's Air Jordan brand of sneakers. Since Nike signed him in the late 80's the sneaker industry has been changed forever and America hasn't looked at shoes the same way since. Lebron came into the league out of high school and received an unprecedented 90 Million $ contract with Nike and success was looked at from a different perspective. Both have culturally impacted the basketball sneaker culture like nobody else but there can only be room for 1 and Lebron is along way from Jordan but as long as he wins champonships then the more iconic his brand becomes. Last year he racked in 300 Million $ for Nike which was the highest among all active players. The only person he trailed though was Jordan who sold over 2 Billion $ of shoes last year, so LBJ still has a long way to go.

This year the comparison between the 2 can even go as far as to comparing the 2 players installments of NBA 2K. Michael Jordan if you don't know was the cover boy and centerpiece of NBA 2K11. The game has sold over 5 Million copies and is the most successful game in 2K history as far as sales and quality game play. The premier basketball simulation featured a whole mode dedicated to Jordan where you can play as him in some of his greatest game such as “The Flue Game” and many others. It is widely regarded as the greatest sports video game of this generation. Jordans greatness was not only good enough to push the limits of the NBA but it pushed the limits of NBA Video gaming.

Lebron James is the cover boy for this years edition-NBA 2K14. Like the year Jordan graced the cover the franchise has had lapses in game play and want to take it back to the next level. So what better way to take it to the the next level then with LBJ on the cover. Lebron will have his own game mode this year in the game titled “Path To Greatness” where you can play as Lebron and forge the rest of his legacy threw the game mode. I think its a great concept and I'm interested to see what the response will be like for the 2K gaming community. If the game doesn’t live up to the standard 2K11 set then it could be used in as another argument for why Jordan is better But if somehow Lebron can surpass what 2K11 did then the debate becomes even more intriguing.

So as basketball fans across the globe wait to see how Lebron's career plays out on the court it won't hurt if he dominates Jordan off the court and what better opportunity then with this years edition of NBA 2K.  

Tru School Of Kicks: Adidas Mutombo's

In 1993 Adidas released 1^st signature sneaker for the future 4 time defensive player of the year and one of the greatest shot blockers in NBA history-Dikembe Mutombo. Like Mutombo's trademark finger wag his sneakers bring something to the sneaker game that’s different yet authentic to Mutombo. They tell a story through the design detailing his African culture and journey to the NBA. If you are one of those people who love sneakers but don't just wear Jordans and Nikes then look into the Mutombo's. It's a great retro shoe from the 90's and it just screams “Original. The shoe has already sold out on Adidas.com and will be hard to find. Adidas is set to launch the Mutombo's on august 24^th for a price of 105$.

Converse Needs To Bring Back Retro Larry Johnson Sneakers

In the very long line of great 1990's sneaker commercials the Converse“Grandmama” ads for then Charlotte Hornets star forward rank near the very top right next to the “Lil Penny” ads for Nike and all those great Air Jordan commercials. With the retro movement being very alive in the sneaker world I think this is the perfect time for Converse to re release the Larry Johnson sneakers to the public.

With Brands like Jordan, Nike and Reebok all flooding the market with retro releases I think there is still a void to be filled as far as variety goes. It's been a very long time since Converse made a huge impact in the shoe game. With no athletes to produce new sneakers for and market to the public Converse has had to rely on its history to sell its product. The Brand can get away with that because the sneaker has such a foothold among fashion in American culture that it will continue to sell at a high level because Chuck Taylor's are simply timeless. It's been a long time though since Converse had any sneaker that people see ads for or rush to store go buy since probably the Wades back in the mid 2000's when Wade 1^st broke in the league. Re Releasing classics by LJ such as the “React” or “Aero Jams” would bring more variety to local sneaker stores and it would provide a chance for people like myself who love the Aero Jams but never had the chance to buy them a chance to get themselves a pair. The move can't do nothing but help the Converse brand.

The Biggest reason that this move is perfect to make at this time is that the Charlotte Hornets name is coming back to Charlotte next NBA season and we all know how many popular sneakers used teal&purple over the last few years. Just check out some of the best Hornet colored sneakers we have had over the last few years.

Lebron 10 Hornets

Retro Air Jordan Grape 5's

Adidas Crazy Quick Teal/Purple

Those are 3 examples right there of sneakers in the shoe game that made a huge impact and with the name coming back to the NBA dropping arguably the greatest sneaker of that team's era just makes perfect sense. So Converse call LJ or his people and make it happen for the sneaker heads worldwide. 

Tru School Of Kicks: Nike Air Jordan 1 "Sonics"

It seems that no matter what the color combination is that the Nike Air Jordan 1 model seems to stand the test of time. With the Sonics Colorway it is no different. For the Key Arena faithful who bleed green and yellow these should certainly allow them to take pride as they always do in Sonics Greats like Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Gus Williams and Jack Sikma. If you happen to be a Sonics fan and love sneakers then these are a must buy for you. If you want to proudly wear the pride of Seattle's colors on your feet then look no further then these coming out in July. By the way bring the Sonics back the NBA is just plain weird without them.

Tru School Of Kicks: Air Jordan 1 "Shadow"

The Nike Air Jordan 1 is for all intensive purposes a classic sneaker and revolutionized the shoe game. So Nike is always trying new colorways on this original Air Jordan model and to be quite honest it's seems to me that the more simplistic they get the nicer the shoe is. Take this one for example with the black and grey colorway, the “shadow” looks like the type of sneaker that evokes urban class. It looks like the type of shoe you could wear with the right suit but that’s just me. The Shadows are set to release next month on July 13^th for a cool, crisp, 140$

Video Blog:My Sneaker Collection (Jordan, Reebok, Nike Addidas, Converse)

Decided to take a break from talking about sports and show you guys my sneaker collection,enjoy the vid!

Tru School Of Kicks: Fila Grant Hill 1's

In honor of Grant Hill's retirement today on Tru School of kicks we remember the Fila Grant Hill 1's. The shoe looks like the 1990's and is a classic among people in the urban community. The original Grant Hill Fila's represents a time when the shoe game was much different and there was more variety. I think me an Denver Nuggets Small Forward Andre Iguadola have something in common sneaker wise to a degree if you read the tweet below.

Grant Hill's fila was the 1st non Nike shoe I ever wanted! Congrats on a great career. Better human and professional!
— Andre Iguodala (@andre) June 2, 2013

When I was a child one of the 1^st basketball shoes I could remember seeing was these Fila Grant hill's so there is an emotional connection there. I also remember going to the court around like age 4 and seeing the local ballers rocking these bad boys so to see this coming out again coming out again is just great.

This shoe is relevant for more then just hill's retirement recently Fila announced that they will be re releasing the Grant Hill 1's. For a company that has fell from grace from the number 3 shoe company in the world to relative obscurity it might be the biggest move they have made in awhile. With that said good luck to Fila on the retro release it's great to have that variety back in the sneaker game, some people get sick of seeing Air Jordan's all the time.

Lebron James Top 6 Sneakers Of 2013

In the NBA, players train to be the best and are world class athletes. With that being said, world class players get exclusive colorways on sneakers that make them the envy of sneakerheads nationwide (Unless you are D.Wade). This applies to Lebron James more so then anybody who has been making history in 2013. He became the youngest player in league history to score 20,000 points, joined the likes of MJ and Bill Russell to win 4 NBA MVP awards but besides his statistical accomplishments, he also sported 30 plus different colorway variations and still counting of his own shoe-the Nike Lebron 10's. There was the good,the bad and the “What The MVP's” (Google it). I like to focus on the positives though so here are the top 6 Lebron James shoes of 2013.

#6 Miami Heat Home PE's

In Game 1 of the Heat's playoff series vs the Milwaukee Bucks LBJ rocked these bad boys. The sneaker features a Miami Heat colorway with the red making up the better part of the base, the white making up the front of the shoe and the black which outlines the silver Nike swoosh.It had solid colorways and was one of the better Lebron player exclusives this season. He dropped 27 points on 9-11 shooting en route to a game 1 Heat blow out of the Bucks (110-87).

#5 Carmex PE's

Earlier in the year I chronicled the Carmex Player exclusive Lebron in my “Tru School Kicks” series of posts that he wore for the 1^st half of a game at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks in February. Lebron has an endorsement deal with Carmex Lip Balm so this is an ode to them but the colorway on these shoes remind me of a place I love dearly and thats my alma mater of South Broward High School........PS Congrats Class of 2013 We Did It!!!!!!!!

#4 Olympics

When I look at the Lebron 10 Olympic Sneaker, the colorway looks awfully similar to the Jordan 7 Olympic sneaker. The base is white, blue towards the bottom of the shoe and the logo for Lebron is gold. The only difference is that on the Jordan Olympic sneakers there are gold accents along with blue on the bottom. Anytime you get your sneaker compared to Jordan Olympic 7's then you did something right with the shoe.

#3 Veterans Day

This sneaker is in the upper echelon of Lebron Player exclusives in 2013. In an early season matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, in honor of veterans day, he broke these out. The colorway is exactly what you would expect from a shoe in honor of veterans day, red, white and blue. The Base is a solid Navy, the bottom is red and the Nike swoosh is white. It's a cool way of Lebron paying respect to our nations veterans.

#2 Floridians

In 2013, one of the more popular variations of the Lebron 10's were the Floridians. The colorway was inspired by the Miami Floridian colors which is what the Heat wear for Hardwood Classic night in tribute to the Magic city's old ABA team. These sneakers have a real Miami Feel to them with art deco colors and a white base. If I was going to Deco drive I would rock these Joints.

#1 PS Elite Black/White/Gold

Over the years King James has had many shoes I loved but none have really captivated me like me these (Beside The Hornet Lebrons). The color way is simplistic sophistication and who ever is responsible for the color way deserves a raise. The base being white gives the shoe a really soft look but then when you add in the Black outlines it evens out the shoe. What really sets it off is the Gold swoosh, in my mind it serves as an exclamation point. These aren't to gaudy but aren't to boring, they serve as a happy medium for Lebron sneakers in 2013 which is why I am crowning it the #1 Lebron James Sneaker of 2013.

Tru School Of Kicks: Air Jordan 1 "Cool Grey"

The Nike Air Jordan 1 just on nostalgia is a great shoe but when Nike starts slapping popular colorways like the “Cool Grey” then it gives the shoe very classy feel that very few sneakers have. As you can see here Nike took the Original Air Jordan 1 Model and put the “Cool grey” Colorway thats been seen on many Air Jordan Models. That has been something new this year where Nike is experimenting with the Nike Air Jordan 1 model by putting exclusive Jordan Colorways, it looks great and I got to find me a pair of these. This particular sneaker isn't gaudy with the colors but keeps it very clean and classy and I like that because that’s how I like my sneakers. 

Tru School Of Kicks: Air Jordan Flight Club '91 (Carmine)

The Air Jordan Business model is predicated on retro Releases and the nostalgia of Jordan’s greatness in the 1990’s. This shoe serves the Buisness model to a tee and Jordan's Success. On this segment of Tru School Of Kicks we take a look at the “Jordan Flight Club 91” with the Carmine Colorway. The shoe is fusion of the Jordan 5&6 model molded into 1 structure coupled along with a classic colorway. If you are a Jordan sneaker fanatic or Know someone who is then these are likely to get them going. Hopefully you have the 195$ to calm those nerves down.

Tru School Of Kicks: Reebok Scrimmage's

It’s been a bit of the delay when it comes to this post but It’s time for the Monthly segment of  “Tru School Of Kicks”.  This month features another pair in the long line of Retro Reebok's being re released. For the Month of April the sneaker I am featuring today are the Retro Reebok Scrimmages.

Made Famous by Dallas Cowboy Star running back Emmit Smith in 1992  The Reebok Scrimmage’s  were a training shoe which he used to dominate on the field in his prime playing for the Cowboys. The Classic Kicks were just released several days ago April 12^th. They were distributed in 3 team color ways  (Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins. The shoes are on sale for 100$.

All in all I think it’s a pretty dope shoe and a must buy if you are a sneaker head and are into Retro shoes. Reebok Retro’s aren’t like Nike’s or Jordan’s its actually special when they release them, you aren’t going to see them 4 or 5 times like you do with the J’s. So if you the type of person that just likes to be different and have a change of pace as far as what you’re wearing then theses are a must buy, not to mention they are really  nice looking sneakers.