Los Angeles Lakers fans will not only see LeBron James back in action on Thursday, but they'll also get a first look at the Nike LeBron 18.
Per Nick DePaula of ESPN, James is expected to debut the Nike LeBron 18 in the Lakers' first scrimmage game.
First look at the Nike LeBron 18, sketched by Jason Petrie.@KingJames is expected to debut these today. Shoe features heel Max Air *and* a full-length Zoom Air unit — a first. pic.twitter.com/fUmNs6jQer
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) July 23, 2020
Designer Jason Petrie describes the LeBron 18 inspiration:
“At this point, LeBron has spent half his life with Nike. We wanted to make him a shoe that played with this idea of two halves.”
The shoe aims to blend the balance of Speed & Power that have defined @KingJames’ game. pic.twitter.com/tTAFSRbZ94
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) July 23, 2020
LeBron and Anthony Davis aren't expected to play heavy minutes in the scrimmage games. The Lakers will most likely use the scrimmages to get JR Smith and Dion Waiters more acclimated with the team since they are the two new guys on the squad.
Before the 2019-20 season was suspended in March, James was averaging 25.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 10.6 assists per game while shooting 49.8 percent from the field, 34.9 percent from beyond the arc and 69.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Lakers have the best record in the Western Conference standings. They are 5.5 games ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Most NBA pundits believe the Lakers and Clippers will meet in the 2020 Western Conference Finals. Although the Clippers went 2-1 against the Lakers prior to Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert's positive COVID-19 test in March, James and Co. won the latest matchup.
Once the 2020 playoffs start in August, LeBron, Davis and the Lakers will be one of the betting favorites to win the championship at Walt Disney World.
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