Lakers News: Fresh Signature Nikes Didn't Help LeBron James Stave Off Sunday Defeat

LA's All-Star small forward wore some new kicks against the Bulls.

During his first game back with your Los Angeles Lakers in a month on Sunday, All-Star small forward LeBron James laced up a fresh vintage of his signature sneaker, the "1984" colorway of the Nike LeBron NXXT Gen, according to Pat Benson of Kicks. 

It didn't help much, as LA fell 118-108 to the visiting Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena. Tonight at the United Center, the Lakers will get their second and final shot at vanquishing ex-LA players Patrick Beverley, Lonzo Ball (although he's out indefinitely after a third surgery on that pesky knee), Alex Caruso and Andre Drummond, all now Bulls.

The 1984 edition of the LeBron NXXT Gen shoe was released to the general public on March 16th. The sneaker is retailing for $160 online and in stores.

The retro-colored sneaker harkens back to LBJ's birth year. 

James led the Lakers in scoring with 19 points, achieved while shooting 6-of-11 shooting from the floor (0-of-2 from deep) and 7-of-8 shooting from the charity stripe. He also pulled down eight boards, and dished out three dimes -- though he also coughed up the ball for five turnovers.

The big issue for LA on Sunday was defense (and volume scoring for its best players), as it could not contain Chicago's top perimeter players and everyone looked thoroughly disengaged on that end of the ball.

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