On the heels of his highly publicized induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this month, NBA legend Allen Iverson is back in the spotlight.
The 11-time NBA All-Star — who had kept a relatively low profile since his basketball heyday — drew a crowd of influencers and music artists on Sept. 15 as he celebrated the 20th anniversary of his iconic Question Mid sneaker collection at Reebok’s store in New York’s Union Square.
Among those in attendance were hip-hop artist and Footwear News cover star Fabolous and music producer Swizz Beatz — both Reebok collaborators.
The event preceded the release of the Reebok Classic x Packer Shoes Question Mid “Curtain Call” sneaker — available exclusively at the Packer Shoes pop-up at Reebok’s store in New York’s Union Square on Sept. 16.
Limited to just 500 pairs for $175, the all-black colorway in Horween leather upper references both the original Question Mid “Red Toe” and “Blue Toe” sneakers with a hint of red on the toe box and blue on the collar.
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FN caught up with Iverson at the Sept. 15 celebration and got his unfiltered commentary on a handful of hot topics.
On who would be the toughest player to guard if he were still in the NBA:
“I would have to say Stephen Curry … [But also] Russell Westbrook or Kyrie Irving.”
On what it meant to be inducted into the Hall of Fame along with Shaquille O’Neal:
“That was the best. I love Shaq so much — he is a great person and an inspiration to me, and I just love him. To be inducted with him was a dream come true.”
On playing against Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2001 NBA Finals:
“Me and the guys [whom] I played with felt like we could win. It was a memorable series — something I will cherish for the rest of my life. My guys gave everything they had in that series.”
On signing with Reebok:
“I was so young, and for something like that happening for me — it was big and it was special. I loved it, and I still feel like that this many years later. I love the respect that [Reebok and I] have for each other. I would just hope that a relationship like that happens [between] another athlete and a brand.”
On his favorite Reebok Question release:
“It has to be the red and white or the red and blue. It got to be that. All of the other things they do for the kids and [for] everybody else — that’s cool, but I would think the red and white or the red and blue because of my history with it and me having to wear them.”
On the most special pair of shoes he has ever owned:
“Anything Jordan.”
On making the Air Jordan 11 sneaker popular while he was at Georgetown University:
“I don’t take credit for that — give all the credit to [Michael Jordan]. That’s my guy. That’s my idol. I love him. I would never take credit for something he created.”
