For the first time since its original release in during the 200-2001 NBA season, the Reebok Answer IV will be re-issued. Dropping on Friday, August 10, the Answer IV is one of the better known models of future Hall of Famer Allen Iverson’s signature Answer line – perhaps because Iverson sported these during the best season of his career or maybe just because the shoe is so fresh.
The 2000-2001 season was literally an MVP season for Iverson. During the season he won both the league MVP award and the All Star Game MVP. With a league leading 31.1 points per game and 2.5 steals per game, Iverson became the shortest MVP in league history at six feet tall. The Iverson led Philadelphia 76ers entered the Playoffs as the top seed in the Eastern Conference coming off of a 56-26 regular season. They battled their way to the 2001 NBA Finals after two of their three previous series went to a full seven games where they would match up against the Los Angeles Lakers. The heavily favored Lakers were predicted to sweep the Sixers in the Finals but a Game 1 overtime win by the Sixers quickly changed that prediction. In that game, in his black/white Reebok Answer IV, Iverson dropped 48 points including a fade away base line jumper over Tyronn Lue near the end of overtime which has become one of the most iconic moments of Allen’s career (see video below). The Lakers would go on to take the next four games and the Championship but Iverson averaged 35.6 points per game over the course of the series.
The Reebok Answer IV will be released in the black/white colorway. The Answer IV is a mid-cut basketball shoe with full DMX cushioning and an innovative lacing system that is covered by a zipper. Iverson’s I3 brand logo can be found on either side of the shoe as well as the outsole. The heel of the oustole has an artist rendering of Iverson’s face with his iconic head band and corn rows under the phrase “Only The Strong Survive,” which is also tattooed on Iverson’s left arm. Black leather extends from the toe box down to the midsole around the toebox while white tumbled leather takes care of teh rest of the upper.
The Reebok Answer IV drips on Friday, August 10 at Foot Locker and Footlocker.com for $120.