Nike’s upcoming LeBron XXIII “Honor the King” release is stirring up conversation - and not for the usual reasons we talk about sneakers. Set to drop on February 24, the shoe features a bold teal colorway that nods directly to the exterior of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee - the site where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968.
Yes, you read that right. A basketball shoe inspired by the place where King’s life was taken.
This isn’t your typical sneaker tribute. We've seen shoes honor everything from cultural icons to historic moments, but this one strikes a different chord - and not necessarily the right one. While the design includes the word “Equality” stitched on the heel and commemorates LeBron James’ 51-point performance in Memphis on MLK Day back in 2008, the centerpiece of the concept - the Lorraine Motel - makes this tribute feel more unsettling than inspirational.
Here’s the kicker: the National Civil Rights Museum, which is built around the former motel, wasn’t even informed about the shoe. There’s no official collaboration, no shared messaging, no mutual rollout.
That absence of partnership only deepens the discomfort. If the goal was to shine a light on the museum or King’s legacy, this feels like a missed opportunity - one that lands awkwardly instead of powerfully.
Now, let’s be clear - honoring Dr. King is never the issue.
The NBA has long been a leader in celebrating his legacy, with tributes around MLK Day dating back to 1986 when the holiday was first recognized federally. Teams frequently visit the National Civil Rights Museum when in Memphis, and players regularly use their platforms - and their footwear - to pay homage to Black history and civil rights leaders.
But there’s a difference between honoring King’s message and spotlighting the site of his assassination. That’s where this release feels off.
Shoes have long been canvases for storytelling - from Black History Month editions to cleats honoring Jackie Robinson. But when that story centers around the place where a man was murdered, not what he lived and fought for, the message gets muddied.
There are so many other ways this tribute could’ve hit the right notes. Want to connect King to Memphis?
Highlight the reason he was there in 1968 - to support striking sanitation workers fighting for fair wages and dignity. That’s a powerful story.
That’s a message that still resonates. Or lean into King’s Atlanta roots.
A Morehouse College-themed LeBron - honoring King’s alma mater and Nike’s existing relationship with the HBCU - would’ve been a slam dunk in both meaning and design.
Even from a sneakerhead’s perspective, this one is tough to process. The teal is clean, the silhouette is solid - fans of the LeBron line will find plenty to like aesthetically.
LeBron even debuted the shoe earlier this season against Memphis on January 2. But when you know what inspired the colorway, it’s hard not to feel a little uneasy lacing them up.
Shoes can be powerful tools for storytelling. They can celebrate, educate, and elevate.
But not every story needs to be turned into merchandise. Not every sacred place needs to be stitched into a sneaker.
There’s no doubt that fans will still line up for the “Honor the King” edition. Some will buy it for the look, others for the connection to LeBron. But for those who truly understand King’s legacy, the question remains: are we honoring the man, or just commodifying the tragedy?
Let’s keep remembering Dr. King - not just in colorways and slogans, but in the causes he championed and the justice he fought for. That’s the tribute that truly fits.