The false status of sneakers

LeBron James had arguably the best NBA season since Michael Jordan was winning championships and starring in movies such as "Space Jam."

James kept his mouth closed for the most part and made many people - outside of Cleveland - forget or forgive him for "The Decision." He won the regular season MVP, NBA Finals MVP, the NBA championship with the Miami Heat and an Olympic gold medal for Team USA in London.

He also got engaged and didn't rule out one day playing for the Cavaliers again sometime in the future. I doubt that will happen, but at least he's trying to make peace with everyone. So how does James cap off one of the greatest NBA seasons of all time?

That's easy. Nike comes out with the most expensive shoe in Nike history bearing James' name.

The LeBron X, which includes its own electronics, is expected to retail for $315 (before taxes). The shoe is supposed to be able to tell wearers how they jump and a bunch of other things that most people don't need unless they are an Olympic or NBA athlete.

Industry experts say there will be a less expensive model of the shoe without all the bells and whistles that will sell for about $190, a price that is still ridiculous.

I'm old enough to remember when kids were robbed and even killed for their Air Jordans. When I was 13, I was robbed for my Hush Puppies. The shoe was popular among gang members in the 1980s. I liked them because they were comfortable. Two bigger teens liked them so much that they chased me down, tackled me to the ground and stole them off my feet.

We might expect more of the same when Nike releases the LeBron X in the fall.

I don't know who to blame for this. Do you blame Nike - which, between its Nike, Jordan and Converse Brands, owns roughly 95% of the U.S. basketball shoe market - or do you blame the player, who could speak out and say that the cost of his shoe should not be equivalent to a car note?

There are some sneakerheads who will wait outside a store for a week to buy these shoes. I'm not really concerned about them. I'm mostly concerned about kids in the inner city who will either be directly targeted by the marketing of this shoe, who believe that they need these sneakers to feel like they are somebody.

I know it gets down to role models and self-esteem, but too many kids don't have positive mentors who can show them a different way. These kids turn to basketball players, rappers and sometimes the negative influences in their neighborhoods to find that connection.

The national Urban League is encouraging parents not to spend their money on an "empty status symbol." Marc Morial, the group's president, said he wants Nike to scrap the shoe altogether.

"To release such an outrageously overpriced product while the nation is struggling to overcome an unemployment crisis is insensitive at best," Morial said.

For kids who feel that they have little else in life, expensive shoes may be that one thing to make them feel like they have value. Last week, three teens allegedly broke into a Foot Action USA store in Houston to steal Air Jordans by cutting a hole through the mall's roof. The teens took 16 pairs of the overpriced sneakers that sell for $175 each.

When the new Jordans go on sale every year, thousands of people line up to buy them. Malls have to hire additional security, and sometimes violence breaks out - over shoes.

Imagine if we could get young people to get this excited over voting or going to school.

No athletic shoe should cost $300, and parents should not give in to their kids who want these shoes.

James should speak out and tell young people that hard work and dedication turned him into a superstar, not the shoes. Maybe that's the all-star message kids need to hear.