March 7th 2024.
Allen Iverson, the beloved former star of the Philadelphia 76ers, was once almost the first signature athlete to join the prestigious Jordan Brand. In 1996, Nike made a bold move to entice Iverson, also known as "The Answer," by presenting him with a prototype of the "Bubba Chuck" basketball shoe. It was a tempting offer, but in the end, Iverson chose to sign with Reebok, as he recently reminisced about in an episode of The Complex Sneakers Podcast in 2021.
During the podcast, Nike and Jordan Brand executive Gentry Humphrey revealed that they had shown Iverson a unique model called "The Answer," which was a combination of the Air Jordan 11 and the Zoom Flight 95. When asked about this meeting, Iverson confirmed that he had the opportunity to sign with the sneaker giant. He recalled, "I remember that like it was yesterday. It was a big decision for me. [Nike] had a great shoe, but after my meeting with Reebok, I was convinced that was the right path for me. They were excellent salespeople and made me feel confident about where I am today."
His decision to sign with Reebok has proven to be a fruitful one, as he was recently appointed as the Vice President of Reebok Basketball. This is just one of the many ways in which Iverson has continued to leave his mark on the industry.
On April 12, the 76ers will once again honor their legendary player with a special ceremony. The team announced that a sculpture of Iverson will be unveiled at the Penn Medicine Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex, joining the ranks of other iconic 76ers players such as Charles Barkley, Wilt Chamberlain, and Julius Erving. The sculpture will be placed on the 76ers Legends Walk, which serves as a tribute to the team's greatest players.
During his time with the franchise, Iverson achieved great success, leading the 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001, the same year he was named the league's MVP. He left a lasting impact on the team, averaging an impressive 27.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.3 steals in 41.4 minutes per game. Iverson's legacy as a 76ers legend will forever be remembered and honored.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
