Nike’s Legendary Designer ‘Hated’ Working on LeBron James’ Shoe Line, Preferred Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan’s Brand

Tinker Hatfield is one of Nike’s most legendary shoe designers. He has been with the company for over 30 years and has designed some of the most iconic basketball shoes of all time, including the Air Jordans and the Kobe XIs. In 2003, Hatfield was tasked with designing a new shoe line for LeBron James, who was at the time the most hyped high school basketball player in the country. Hatfield worked on the LeBron line for several years, and the first shoe was released in 2004. But he wasn’t keen on working on it. 

Hatfield’s relationship with LeBron and his team did not go smoothly. In 2008, Hatfield left the LeBron line and moved on to other projects. Such was the level of dislike and contempt he had for the shoe line. 

Hatfield’s comments and comparing LeBron to Kobe and Jordan

In Brian Windhorst’s “LeBron, Inc.: The Making of a Billion-Dollar Athlete,” Hatfield talked about his experience working on the LeBron line. 

He said:

“I don’t like working with LeBron’s entourage.” 

Hatfield also added:

 “It’s too many people, too many ideas, too many opinions.”

The shoe designer also believed that LeBron’s designs had “suffered a little bit” and hadn’t “done as well as the Kobe stuff.”

Hatfield’s comments were met with some backlash from LeBron fans. However, Hatfield defended his comments, saying that he preferred working with Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan because they were ‘smarter.’ 

“Working with Kobe, one guy comes into the room with him and he has ideas and is very forward thinking and is smart about what he needs to do, what he thinks he needs to do to be a better player,” said Hatfield.

Hatfield’s comments shed some light on the inner workings of the shoe industry. It is clear that even the most legendary designers have their preferences when it comes to working with athletes.

Analyzing the implications of LeBron’s shoe line and the legacy of Jordan and Kobe’s footwear

Hatfield’s departure from the LeBron line was a major blow to the brand. Hatfield was one of the most respected designers in the industry, and his departure left a void that was difficult to fill.

In the years since Hatfield left, the LeBron line has struggled to maintain its momentum, as predicted by Hatfield. He claimed:

“The LeBron stuff, even though it does OK, it isn’t quite as exciting to me as the Kobe stuff or what we’ve done with the Jordan Brand.”

The shoes have not been as popular as they once were, and the brand has not been able to generate the same level of excitement as it did when Hatfield was involved.

For the LeBron line, Hatfield’s comments suggest that the brand may need to make some changes in order to regain its momentum. The brand may need to find a new designer who can create innovative and exciting shoes.

As far as Jordan’s shoe line goes, it’s safe to say that they never lost momentum. The Air Jordan brand is the most popular basketball shoe brand in the world. In 2020, it generated $3.6 billion in revenue, selling over 100 million pairs of shoes since 1984. Kobe’s line has also received great success.

It is the second most popular basketball shoe brand in the world. In 2020, it generated $1.2 billion in revenue. It has sold over 20 million pairs of shoes since its inception in 2003.