Made memorable by a cultural moment and fluid design, the standout sneaker from AI’s Rookie of the Year debut is returning Aug. 19.
Growing up, a young Allen Iverson idolized Michael Jordan with a passion many can relate to. From playing in MJ’s first signature shoes in Hampton rec leagues to lacing up the classic “Concord” Air Jordan 11s for his sophomore season at Georgetown, Iverson was a superfan and a superstar all at once.
Then, just a year after battling in the Big East Tournament with Jordans on his feet, AI had a chance to face his hero.
On March 12, 1997, Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers hosted Jordan and the Chicago Bulls for a regular season outing. Jordan, fresh off a 72-10 season and his fourth championship, was the alpha dog in the league with Iverson representing the next generation. MJ, per usual, laced up his Air Jordan signature shoe — then on its 12th installment — while Iverson, only a rookie, was rocking rival brand Reebok as part of his first sneaker deal.
Engineered by David Falk, then agent to both athletes, Iverson landed the largest guaranteed deal in footwear history with a $60M contract that included his own indivualized line. The Reebok Question, drafted by designers during Iverson’s sophomore season in college and influenced heavily by his Air Jordan 11 fandom, was now toe-to-toe with the player and product that inspired both.
Breaking out the “Blue Toe” take — a pearlized leather version in line with Philly’s patriotic threads — an awestruck Iverson turned his nerves into nostaligia, putting his hero in the blender for an iso sequence that started with a crossover and ended with a bucket.
The moment started both a rivalry and a friendship with the shoes living in folklore for the time since. After a retro run that’s never truly stopped, the iconic Question is coming back to retail on Aug. 19 in its famed crossover colorway.
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