Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James will finally make his regular-season debut with the Lakeshow on Thursday. But the four-time MVP's on-court repertoire is not the only thing in the spotlight. LeBron will be wearing sneakers inspired by a 2003 Nike ad featuring him as an 18-year-old prodigy entering the NBA.

ESPN's Nick DePaula has the story on the colorway of James' sneakers in his much-awaited Lakers debut:

Styled in a burgundy knit upper, the detail on the new LeBron 16 “King” hearkens back to Nike's grandiose declaration just as its $90 million rookie entered the league.

“The luxurious burgundy tones, the gold detailing, his original [LJ23] logo and the animal fur — a combination of the lions and the animal pelt he had draped over the throne — are all there as nods to that poster,” said Jason Petrie, designer of the LeBron 16.

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James earned “The King” nickname way before he took his first dribble on an NBA court. In 2003, he signed a lucrative shoe deal with Nike, who believed the rookie would quickly become the face of the league. Nike was right. They almost always are, anyway.

As James puts on his game shoes in Thursday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers, the 33-year-old future Hall of Famer will go down memory lane as he remembers the jitters and hype that surrounded his first game in the league.

And as he puts on his purple and gold Lakers jersey, LeBron James will definitely feel like he's a rookie all over again.