As it became August we informed you of the availability of the Answer XIII. Since then, A.I. rode the free agent wave and eventually landed with the Memphis Grizzlies. But after making it very apparent that he would not, could not, be fine with coming off the bench, A.I. has today announced plans for retirement. But his mark will forever be left on the sneaker world. Now, Eastbay has on sale an array of the Reebok Answer XIII for a reduced price tag of $89.99, as well as the white/red Reebok Question mid for a $69.99 going rate.

Click to Purchase at Eastbay.com

Veteran guard Allen Iverson was shipped to Detroit by way of Denver in a shocking trade that flip-flopped the aforementioned A.I., Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess, and a couple of young rookies as teams from opposite conferences jockeyed for year-end playoff positioning. Earlier today, we featured the Reebok Answer XII Blue/Red/White “Pistons” color scheme, and last week, we explained Allen Iverson’s corrlelation with the British poem Invictus. Reebok is celebrating AI’s time in the Rockies with this buttery smooth black/powder blue/yellow “Nuggets” color scheme of the XII. Expect this joint to hit retailers during NBA All-Star Weekend. Images via Fatboy Kickz.

Scheduled to release during the NBA All-Star Weekend extravaganza in February, the Reebok Answer XII is the latest installment in Allen Iverson’s signature series. The Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons inspired color schemes are complimented by an elegant TPU heel graphic plate that features British poet William Ernest Henley’s poem Invictus. The prose describes A.I’s unfettered on-court attitude and potent will to win. (To read Invictus, please hit the jump!) Expect to see the Reebok Answer XII on shelves during NBA All-Star Weekend for $100. To learn more about the signature, please check back today. Images via K3Q of Kenlu.net.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.

Diminutive floor leader and Reebok frontman Allen Iverson has worn a white/blue color way of his latest signature shoe, the Answer XII, over the course of the past week. Specifically, he debuted the model on November 19, 2008 against LeBron and the Cleveland Cavs. From the images, it appears as if the outsole of the XII incorporates some sort of midfoot stability element, presumably to mitigate the negative impact of lateral forces. Up top, the shoe’s toecap is inspired by the iconic Question Mid. When technical info becomes available to us, we’ll be sure to update! Please check back with us closer to the shoe’s release date in January/February. Images via Getty Images and Yahoo Sports.

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Billups in his Pistons-toned adidas TS Creator Mid. 

In a trade that seemingly came out of left field, veteran guard Allen Iverson of the Denver Nuggets was shipped to the Detroit Pistons for clutch shooting guard Chauncey Billups, reliable forward Antonio McDyess, and rookie Cheikh Samb. I wondered whether adidas and Reebok would be ready to suit up their two signature studs in footwear to match their new uniforms–each company had only days to manufacture new product for their players. Saturday night provided us with an answer, (Pun not intended!) with Billups rocking out in a Pistons-themed blue/red/white iteration of his adidas TS Creator Mid and Iverson switching between the ’07 and Answer XII (7). Both athletes have been rewarded significantly by their sponsor companies, each recieving their own product for the 2008 season. (CB recieves only his own colorway, mind you. Basketball is a Brotherhood!) But the question remains–who will buy these, these, or these? Images via Yahoo Sports.


Iverson destroyed the competition in the first half in the ’07 Reebok ATR Vertical III.

A.I. closed out the game in signature ride from yesteryear, the Answer XII (7).