20 Designs that Changed the Game: Nike Air Zoom Generation

Nike Basketball’s releases over the past 20 years represent the definition and redefinition of the hoops shoe. A 20-year work-in-progress. In 2003, the Nike Zoom Generation was born. The Nike Zoom Generation had to deliver. It represented the start of a relationship with a young phenomenon named LeBron James. The Nike Zoom Generation’s lead designer, Aaron Cooper, was one of the first Nike employees to be in contact with LeBron. After being shown some of Cooper’s earlier works, LeBron was asked what he was looking for beyond the looks. Without missing a beat James responded, “Comfort.”

Further conversations defined the Nike Zoom Generation’s visual direction and infusion of LeBron James’ personality. This was a player who transcended Force, Flight or Uptempo. The big idea that surfaced was that LeBron was a modern soldier, a remarkable player who immediately turned heads with his freakish athleticism. His combination of size and speed was unlike anything the world had seen. That led to a unique field boot styling, plus wheel-like eyelets with rugged vehicular inspiration and scope-inspired flash mirror coatings on reflective panels with concealed logos. LeBron’s affinity with lions ? going back to his early school days ? were applied to the sole, inspired by a lion digging its claws into the ground while hunting its prey. In the quest for ultimate comfort, a newly-developed soft foam that formed around the foot and full-length Zoom Air, double stacked at the heel, were honed to perfection.