Desmond Bane of the Memphis Grizzlies tested a number of Nike footwear models as he worked to return from a discouraging big toe injury earlier this season. The 24-year-old ultimately chose the sneaker that made the most sense for him, which also happened to be the most recent model of his playoff foe from the first round.
According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, after putting on a variety of Nike sneakers, including Kyrie Irving's trademark Nikes and the Nike Zoom GT series, Bane found the LeBron XX to be the greatest and most comfortable.
Bane and LeBron have a tense relationship.
The Grizzlies' second-leading scorer in 2022–23 had a tough decision to make, especially when a yelling altercation broke out between him and LeBron James during the Lakers–Grizzlies game on January 9, 2022.
On January 9, 2022, when Memphis defeated the Lakers handily on the road, "a clash between James and Bane can be regarded a landmark moment of sorts," wrote McMahon.
James scolded Bane for "saying s**t" loudly enough to be heard on the television broadcast. Bane responded with a bark, a moment that contributed to thethe Grizzlies' reputation as a young, arrogant club that seasoned NBA veterans loved to hate.
James constructed the span.
Bane said he was nervous wearing them for the first time on Jan. 20 against the Lakers, despite wearing them 46 times since returning from injury. But James broke the ice by enquiring as to whether Bane had enough of them and whether he still required any.
According to Bane, "I felt like that was love, for sure." "We continued. I believe we have reconciled our disagreements and separated.
On Sunday night, after the Lakers upset the Grizzlies in Game 1, LeBron declared that his offer to help Bane was sincere.
“Respect. James said to ESPN, "Respect." I made light of it a few years ago by saying that ifMy shoes are being worn by a man. You can expect me to bust your ass and s**t. I mean, I'm not even in that kind of energy or zone anymore. Simply put, I believe that's awesome. And I currently have to send him more. I need to confirm that he is now a LeBron athlete.
