The James Era Begins With Fancy Footwear

LeBron James’ new sneakers should help him drive to the basket.

After all, they’re modeled after the Cleveland Cavalier rookie’s infamous Hummer.

Tonight, James will make his NBA debut at Sacramento wearing his signature Nikes, dubbed the “Zoom Generation.”

The shoes, which will retail for $160 a pair, are the first of six models James will wear as part of the $90-million sports apparel deal he signed with Nike in May.

The design was inspired by James’ Hummer H2 sport utility vehicle, which made headlines last winter when the Ohio High School Athletic Assn. investigated how his mother bought it for her son’s 18th birthday.

James said the shoes will be in stores on Dec. 20.

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Minnesota Timberwolf forward Wally Szczerbiak will be sidelined at least two weeks because of a sore left foot and will miss tonight’s opener against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Szczerbiak has an inflamed arch and could be placed on the injured list.

Shooting guard Latrell Sprewell will move to Szczerbiak’s position. Fred Hoiberg was listed as a probable starter at shooting guard.

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A Tucson judge refused to suppress evidence in an airport search that resulted in marijuana possession charges against Portland Trail Blazer guard Damon Stoudamire.

Pima County (Ariz.) Justice Court Judge Paul Simon denied the motion by Stoudamire’s attorneys challenging the constitutionality of a warrantless search.

The defense attorneys contended there should have been a warrant when authorities at Tucson International Airport opened a tinfoil package containing marijuana. The search came after Stoudamire set off a metal detector as he was about to board a flight July 3 to New Orleans.