In celebration of being named NBA M.V.P. for the fourth time in three years, Nike has unveiled a special tribute shoe for Miami Heat forward Lebron James.

The shoe is based on the design for the Lebron 9 signature kicks released earlier this season and will be available in limited quantities next month. The Lebron 9 has been one of the hottest Nike releases of the 2011-12 basketball season with several limited color-ways including the wildly popular “Galaxy” pack and the “Christmas” edition.

The M.V.P. release comes right on the heels of the Lebron 9 P.S. “Elite” series pack that debuted two weeks ago to coincide with the start of the NBA playoffs. The Lebron 9 P.S.“Elite” pack has made improvements on the original Lebron 9 by being lighter and sleeker than the original version. However, the M.V.P. color-way has specific details and is more of a tribute sneaker rather than an improvement, maintaining the original base design of the 9.

In an official press release Nike stated:

To celebrate LeBron’s MVP win, Nike took a "work-in-progress" look at the award and dubbed the basketball superstar “Employee of the Year.”  The ad additionally acknowledges what LeBron has repeated over and over – that he’s a man on a mission, focused on his team and capturing his first world championship.

Nike further salutes the three-time MVP with a special edition LEBRON 9 MVP shoe.  Designed for elite performance and crafted with style, the LEBRON 9 MVP features striking Miami team colors. Gradient fades from red to black to comprise the upper with pops of yellow while details including an MVP logo on the heel and trophies printed on the sockliner mark the award.

James, who had a historic season averaging 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists, was presented with the KIA M.V.P. award during a press conference in Miami Saturday afternoon (May 12th). James joins a list that includes Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson and is one of only eight players to win the M.V.P. award three times. Every player on the list has won a championship.

Visit Nikeinc.com for more details on Lebron’s M.V.P. signature shoes and  The Lebron “Elite” pack is available online at Nike.com. —Eric Montgomery

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