LeBron James Pays Tribute to Miami Heat Days with Latest “South Beach” Sneaker
Since joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, LeBron James has remained loyal to his former team, the Miami Heat. The Heat were where James won his first two NBA Championship titles, alongside his close friends Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Not only was James successful on the court during his time with the Heat, but his signature Nike line also produced several championship-worthy models and colorways. One of the most iconic of these was the “South Beach” palette, first seen on the LeBron 8. This colorway featured a mix of bright, ’80s-inspired aqua and pink highlighter tones.
Although James has moved on from his time with the Heat, he continues to pay tribute to the team through his player edition (PE) sneakers. The latest addition to his “South Beach” collection is the LeBron 22, which he recently wore during the Lakers’ game against the Utah Jazz. While most “South Beach” releases focus on aqua tones with pink accents, the LeBron 22 takes on a more flamingo-inspired look. The patent leather upper is predominantly pink, with aqua accents on the Swoosh, heel, and perforated tongue. Yellow details can also be found on the midsole’s Swoosh and the tongue’s badge.
Unfortunately, it is unlikely that this pair will be released to the public. However, fans can still admire the design and expect James to wear more tribute models throughout the season. In fact, the LeBron 22 had a successful on-court debut, with the Lakers defeating the Jazz 124-118. James himself contributed 26 points and 12 assists, while his rookie teammate Dalton Knecht, who was not even old enough to watch an R-rated movie when James played for the Heat, scored 37 points and tied a rookie record with nine made three-pointers.
