Week 23 of the NBA season wasn’t just about buzzer-beaters and game-winning shots; it was also a showcase for some truly unique footwear choices by the league’s stars. Among them, Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis stole the show with a pair of throwback shoes that paid homage to a historic moment.

Davis laced up a pair of Zoom Soldier 1 retros, a shoe relaunched in 2018 to commemorate LeBron James’ legendary performance in the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals. In that epic game against the Detroit Pistons, James donned the very same sneakers as he poured in a jaw-dropping 25 consecutive points to secure victory for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The choice proved to be more than just a nostalgic nod for Davis. He channeled his inner “King” with a dominant showing, racking up a monster stat line of 34 points, 23 rebounds, and a staggering 4 blocks in a thrilling double-overtime road win against the Milwaukee Bucks. It was Davis’ game-saving block on Damian Lillard at the buzzer of the first overtime that truly exemplified the “clutch” spirit embodied by the throwback Soldiers.

This wasn’t just another night for Davis. According to ESPN Stats & Information, he logged a career-high of 51 minutes and 52 seconds, the most minutes played by a Lakers player since the legendary Kobe Bryant in 2012. Davis’ performance, fueled by a connection to a historic moment in basketball history, was a testament to the power of both on-court dominance and the impact of iconic footwear.

NBA Kicks of the Week: Anthony Davis rocks throwback Soldier 1’s