Add this moment to the biggest rivalry in the NBA in the 2010s, with LeBron James getting over on his fellow MVP rival Steph Curry.
The stakes were high in this play-in game, as LeBron James’ 7-seed Lakers faced Curry’s 8-seed Warriors. The loser would face the winner of the 9-10 Western Conference play-in, with the loser of that game getting eliminated entirely from the postseason. James and LA teammate Anthony Davis had just came back from injury, adding to the drama of the game.
The score was 100-1oo with a minute left in the game with a stagnant offensive possession ending with the shot clock running down. James ended up with the ball at the Staples Center logo, needing to heave a 30-foot fadeaway with Steph Curry running to contest. With James holding the swan-neck follow-through, both future hall-of-famers watched as the three went through the net.This ended up being the go-ahead, game-winner with subsequent misses and turnovers from both teams. The Warriors would end up losing to the Grizzlies to get bounced from the playoffs, showing how important this shot was.
The shoes that King James rocked for this game was the Nike LeBron 15. This shoe features a BattleKnit upper which provided a sock-like fit, but was also thick enough to provide durability needed for James’ playing style. The max Zoom Air units further provided a bounce needed to posterize defenders.
The “Purple Rain” LeBron 15 PE in this moment never released, but you can find other colorways of the Nike LeBron 15 at StockX, Flight Club, and Stadium Goods.
Cover image via ESPN
