Name: Nike LeBron 23 “Bubble Boy”
Colorway: Cool Grey/Metallic Silver/Vivid Purple/Multi-Color
SKU: IF0694-002
MSRP: $210 USD
Release Date: November 18
Where to Buy: Nike

Update: It’s been just under a month since we took a first look at the Nike LeBron 23 “Bubble Boy,” one of 23 colorways of the sneaker centered around special moments from King James’ illustrious career. Now, an official preview of the sneaker has been shared by the Swoosh. The pair nods to James’ fourth NBA championship, won with the Los Angeles Lakers during the “Bubble” in 2020. A release date of November 18 has been confirmed to be accurate, with the shoes arriving via Nike and select retailers at a starting price of $210 USD. For more info about the design, revisit our initial breakdown below.

Original Story: Nike is launching one of the most culturally loaded colorways in the LeBron 23 collection, the “Bubble Boy.” This release is a cheeky and elaborate tribute to the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2020 NBA Championship, which was famously won inside the highly contained “bubble” environment at Disney World during the pandemic.

The colorway intentionally plays into the nickname given to the Lakers’ victory—the “Mickey Mouse ring”—by featuring a subtle design nod to Walt Disney’s art style. The shoe itself starts with an iridescent silver upper, designed to visually represent the actual containment bubble. A purple line, symbolizing the Lakers, snakes across the upper, creating a contrast with the silver. High-shine detailing is used to mimic the championship hardware: the Swoosh logo is jeweled, a reference to the championship rings. The official color breakdown is Cool Grey, Black, and Metallic Silver, giving the shoe a sleek, almost sterile appearance that evokes the bubble’s isolation.

This storytelling is a bold move by Nike. The “Bubble Boy” not only commemorates LeBron’s fourth title but also acknowledges the public debate surrounding the legitimacy of the bubble season. The LeBron 23 “Bubble Boy” is scheduled to release next month.

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