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.

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
Lakers fans will mock Mike Bibby's 2002 Western Conference Finals claims
Lakers fans will mock Mike Bibby’s 2002 Western Conference Finals claimsJulian Ojeda ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) and forward LeBron James (23) and guard Luka Doncic (77) and forward Dorian Finney-Smith (17) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center.
Key LeBron James, Luka Doncic Lakers teammate undergoes surgeryPreston Byers ·
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) moves the ball up court against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Stephen A. Smith calls out Lakers’ Luka Doncic for ‘lacking leadership’Julian Ojeda ·
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) finishes off a dunk in the fourth quarter against the LA Clippers at Ball Arena.
Russell Westbrook’s 10 greatest accomplishments, rankedSpencer See ·
Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the fourth quarter in game three of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with the Lakers logo in the background
Alex Caruso reveals differences between Thunder, Lakers NBA Finals runsJosue Pavon ·
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) controls the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Magic Johnson sends Luka Doncic brutally honest ‘championship’ messageDavid Yapkowitz ·

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.