Everything was going according to plan, that is until his Cleveland team was down 0-2 in the 2016 NBA Finals. Knowing he had to elevate his game, LeBron looked for a spark and unexpectedly changed his footwear, to a prototype version of the Solider X. Cleveland would go on to win Game 3 in convincing fashion and be on their way to the franchise’s long-awaited first title.

The legendary moments in the Soldier X would go on to inspire this season’s iteration.

“After talking with Lebron, following the 2016 finals, he gave us a ton of insight on why he loved the Soldier X so much. What stuck was how they made him feel. Lebron described this feeling as…lighter, faster, sleeker and stronger. He also said that when he moved in them that he felt he could do so much more,” explained Nike Basketball Product Line Manager Tim Day.

The new design has similar form to last year’s legendary Soldier X; All black, straps in lieu of laces, premium detailing and only what he needs for the playoffs. Providing only what is needed in the shoe stems from LeBron's state of mind in championship competition, eliminating all distractions to lock in and unleash on the court.

Past the muted look and ready for battle finish, the Soldier XI builds on what its predecessor established. Zoom Air cushioning is housed in both the heel and forefoot, while the upper now features four straps for lockdown instead of three. The added strap allows for additional lockdown and flex in the forefoot.

With the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals underway, LeBron will continue his quest for back to back NBA Titles and further cement his playoff legacy.