Reebok is trying their hardest to get back in the limelight. Reaching out to former NBA endorsers and tapping into the hip hop generation may be the perfect remedy for them. Take a look at the first three episodes of the retro shop.
Allen Iverson
The Great Allen Iverson formally retires
The man who was the Question and the Answer finally hung up his Reebok’s formally after not playing in the league since the 2009-10 season.
Iverson was a trendsetter in every meaning of the word, he flashed tats, cornrows and played with a passion that you want a 7 footer to have. He was my size giving everyone buckets.
He made it ok for certain Reebok’s to be worn, yeah think about that for the folks who grew up in Urban areas.
The Answer played for the Nuggets, Grizzlies, Pistons but he will be always remembered as a 76er. During his 14 years he will be remembered for how he led the gritty 6ers to the NBA Finals his MVP season. Not only did he lead the 76ers to the finals he even stole a game on the Lakers home floor during the 2000-01 season.
Iverson averaged 26.7 ppg, 6.2 apg and 2.2 spg for his career. He was an 11x All-Star, 1x MVP, 2x All Star MVP, Rookie of the Year, 7x All NBA (1st, 2nd or 3rd Team).
A.I. is one of the best to ever do it, no matter how you feel about him as a person you can’t deny the man could flat out ball.
Check out his retirement press conference.
Thank You Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson announced that he will be officially retiring from the NBA this week. Iverson has not played since 2010, and the writings were on the wall that he would probably never play again. Lately, Iverson has been in the news for negative reasons as of late.
Issues with money, alcohol, and family has been brought to the forefront since Iverson’s last NBA game. I hope that Iverson gets his personal life in order, but I want to focus on Iverson’s impact as a basketball icon.
Yes, that was not a typo. Allen Iverson is arguably the most influential basketball player in the past 25 years not named Michael Jordan.
Iverson entered the NBA in 1996, and took the league by storm. Iverson won the Rookie of the Year award over the likes of Stephon Marbury, Steve Nash, and Kobe Bryant. Iverson was a feisty point guard with a heart of a lion.
Iverson’s competitive fire along with his skill made him a mismatch on the court. The guard out of Georgetown crossed up defenders for 14 years, and it helped him achieved many accolades. The future Hall of Famer ended his career with over 24,000 points and 5,000 assists. The numbers will never show how great Iverson was as a player.
Iverson won the 2001 NBA MVP award to go along with 11 All Star Appearances, 2 All-Star Game MVP’s , 4 scoring titles, 3 First Team All-NBA selections, and many more accolades. During A.I.’s tenure he played with the Philadelphia 76ers (2x), Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and Memphis Grizzlies.
Iverson’s impact on the court was celebrated, but his impact off the court as a cultural icon helped propel him to icon status. A.I. rubbed people the wrong way with his braids, tattoos, and hip hop persona, but basketball fans across the world loved it.
Whether it was Iverson’s own peers in the NBA or at your local park there were several players emulating Iverson’s look and style of play.
Even in today’s game you see players wearing their tattoos, and long sleeves on their arms. They can thank A.I. for making that a fashion statement. For example, Iverson first wore the sleeve on his arm during the 2000-2001 season for having tennis elbow.
Thirteen years later that sleeve is being worn as a fashion statement by guys such as Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James who were teenagers when Iverson took the NBA by storm.
As a basketball fan it sucks to see Iverson go, but all good things have to come to an end at some point. Even though he has not played in two years there was always a glimpse of hope that he would lace his Reebok’s one more time.
People always say that there is never going to be another Michael Jordan, but I will go ahead and say there will never be another Allen Iverson. There will never be a six-foot, cold-blooded assassin that gives his all during all 48 minutes. Iverson as a player may have been criticized for shooting too much, and being a pain in the you know what, but what was he supposed to do playing with Matt Geiger and Kevin Ollie.
Even today his former head Coach Larry Brown speaks highly of him despite having an odd relationship with him while he coached him as a player.
Everyone may not understand Iverson the person, but the basketball player will always be loved and adored.
With all of that said, I just would like to say Thank You A.I. for all the memories you produced while on the court. There will NEVER be another player like you!
Allen Iverson Did Right By Turning Down the D-League Offer
The Texas Legends an affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks offered Allen Iverson the chance to gain a roster spot. It is hard to imagine Iverson playing in the developmental league due to his NBA credentials as well as his brash personality. We all know that Allen Iverson is the reason why he is out of the NBA. While Iverson is one of basketball greatest talents to ever play the game he was also an enigma on/off the court. Iverson’s last NBA stint did not turn out so well. The Philadelphia 76ers picked up Iverson after a brief retirement after playing with the Memphis Grizzlies. Since then A.I. attempted playing ball in Turkey, and has been in the headlines due to financial woes.
No matter what the situation is, Allen Iverson should never play in any developmental league. It was good to see A.I. thank Donnie Nelson the gesture rather than flying off of the handle further damaging his chances to end up on a roster. I honestly feel that Iverson can contribute at a certain capacity.
If Jerry Stackhouse, Kurt Thomas, and Jason Kidd are playing I feel that Iverson can play in the NBA as well. The only thing with comparing A.I. to those mentioned before him is that we know that it is hard to believe that Iverson would accept a role playing less than he is accustomed to.
Iverson’s legacy is already cemented, and will be looked at as one of the All-Time greats no matter what. If A.I. really thinks he has one last hurrah more power to him, but he doesn’t deserve to be playing against the Austin Torros and the Bakersfield Jam.
My All-Time Big East Basketball Team
Everybody, the day that I have been talking about for the last month or so has finally arrived, I finally received my first task in the Big East biggest fan contest. My 1st task is to pick an All-Time Big East Dream team, the players can be current or from the past. My team can’t be compiled of more than 12 players and I can only pick players who actually played in the Big East. Trust me the last rule was important, because I wanted to add Dwayne Wade and Kenyon Martin to my list so bad but both players played for Marquette and Cincinnati when both teams were in Conference USA.
When I first received the email that told us to create a Big East Dream Team I made a list within 5 mins, then I asked a few friends what they thought of my list in then a little doubt crept in. I eventually stuck with 11 of my original 12 picks. This was hard to narrow down because Big East basketball is rich with history and great players. Well, I gave it a shot in here the 12 players I would assemble on my team.
My Starting 5:
Patrick Ewing, Center, Georgetown(81-85)– Ewing is the best big man to ever step foot in the Big East started a legacy that a lot of big men would follow. Without this intimidating national championship winning 7 foot monster Georgetown probably doesn’t land Mourning, Harrington, Mutombo and Hibbert in the future. Ewing controlled the paint on both sides of the floor and also led the Hoyas to a National Championship Title.
Derrick Coleman, Foward, Syracuse(86-90)– DC was a big man who could score anywhere after he passes half court, a walking double double had a very smooth game for a 6’10” forward. DC made it cool for big men to be left handed and have handles. Left handers stand up.
Carmelo Anthony, Forward, Syracuse(02-03)– As a true Freshman Melo came to Syracuse in brought home a National Championship. This man is a threat to score soon as he leaves the locker room, with is inside-outside combination during his one year in the conference he averaged a double-double.
Ray Allen, Guard, Connecticut(93-96)– At UConn, Ray was a prototype of a sweet, smooth and efficient game. Ray could dunk on you, shoot your face off from 3 or cross you up if you didn’t respect his dribble while making it all look effortless. The Allen vs. Iverson battle’s were priceless.
Allen Iverson, Guard, Georgetown(94-96)– Iverson was the best person I’ve ever seen play in College, with ankle breaking handle that could electrify the crowd on command and a freakish scoring ability from a short slender stature nobody in there right mind can keep the man called “A.I.” off of this list.
The Bench:
Chris Mullin, Guard/Forward, St. John’s(81-85)– The lucky lefty was robbed of a lot of points in college, why? Because he played before their was a 3-point line. Of course you have to a guy that can do everything good, All-American and Wooden Award winner. I’m a lefty also so him and DC fill my left hand quota.
Alonzo Mourning, Center, Georgetown(88-92)– Zo is the next best big man to grace the Big East behind Ewing this is my opinion use the comment section to disagree. Zo like Ewing was an ultimate paint controller on both ends of the court. Zo was the defensive player of the year and an All-American. Zo put in work and this who I would like to control the paint if Ewing is tired, in foul trouble or if I want to twin tower attack.
Kemba Walker, Guard, Connecticut(08-11)– Walker is the youngest player on the list. With his scoring ability, leadership and heart it’s no way I can leave him off of the list. Did anybody think the Huskies were going to win it all in 2011? In the main reason was a beast named Kemba Walker, I’d take him on my team any day.
Richard Hamilton, Guard, Connecticut(96-99)– Hamilton has a smooth game, he also led the Huskies to the Nat. Championship,the most outstanding player of that tournament also and an All-American. Hamilton was a clutch player just check the highlights of the tournament. I developed a mid range jumpshot because of Hamilton, that’s enough right there to pick him besides his accolades.
Ed Pinckney, Foward, Villanova(81-85)– Pinckney led Nova to one of the biggest upsets in NCAA history when they took down the Hoyas in the Nat. Championship game. Every team needs a player who has led a overachiever for leadership. Ed was a consistent scorer the Nova in one of their all time greats.
Billy Owens, Forward, Syracuse(88-91)– Billy O was one of the 1st point forward style players I remember. Owens was a pure beast who could break the press with his handle or get points in the paint. This former All-American is a must have on my team for his versatility alone.
Donyell Marshall,Guard/Forward, Connecticut(92-94)– At UConn Marshall was a scoring machine point-blank. The 1st image of UConn I remember is Marshall hanging 30+ points on multiple teams. Marshall was a problem on the court and I would want the other coaches to worry so I’d take him on my team.
How do you like My Big East Dream Team? I personally feel like I did a great job for as many great players I had to pick from, so bring the slander or bring the praise. It was hard to pick 12 let alone a starting 5 but I went with the players l personally liked the most. Feel free to comment and tell me who you agree or disagree with. Also, don’t forget Vote for J. Smith @ My Big East Volvo.
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