Nice Kicks: Speaking of Iverson, his sneaker line is the highest selling in Reebok history. Since he is your favorite player, I know you owned at least one pair of shoes in his signature line. Which model is your favorite?
A.J. Abrams: I would have to go with the Reebok Answer 4 that came out during the 2000-01 season. To be honest, I am truly a Nike guy, so I didn’t wear many of his sneakers. Plus, in high school we hooped in a lot of Adidas, so I never really wore Reebok. If I had to choose a model it would be the Reebok Answer 4.
Reebok Answer 4
Nice Kicks: Yes, the Reebok Answer 4 is one of his better and most fan-friendly sneakers. What are some other sneakers you wish any particular brand re-release?
A.J. Abrams: I really wish Nike brings out the Foamposite again. I have looked around, but they are generally sold out. I like the way they zip up in the front. I also like them because I have a narrow foot, and the Foamposite is a very narrow shoe itself, so it was perfect for me.
Nice Kicks: Where have you been looking? Do you shop for shoes online or in the stores more often?
A.J. Abrams: It depends on the shoe. When i go to the store, I usually know what I want, but if the store does not have them then online it is. I would not really consider myself a sneaker head, but if I see a pair that I want, I will try my best to get them.
Nice Kicks: What is your favorite off-court shoe to wear?
A.J. Abrams: I would have to say Nike Air Force 1’s hands down. I prefer the White/White Los. They match almost everything. You cannot go wrong with them.
Nice Kicks: It is funny you say the White/White colorway because we see you playing in black sneakers a lot on the hardwood. When picking a basketball shoe, what do you look for: style, color, comfort, fit?
A.J. Abrams: Generally, I play in black shoes and style is a must. I like the way the black shoes look especially with black socks. On the court, we can only wear black sneakers, white sneakers, orange sneakers or a mixture of the three. Black, to me, is the cleanest. I prefer a style that is aerodynamic and conforms to the shape of my foot. I do not like a shoe that is too high and too wide.
Nice Kicks: Earlier, you mentioned the Nike Air Flight 95 Jason Kidd as being a classic sneaker to you. What are four other classic sneakers to round out your top 5 of all time?
A.J. Abrams:
1. Grant Hill 2 1995 Air OG Fila
2. Nike Air Flightposite I
3. Air Zoom GP
4. Air Penny IV
5. Nike Zoom Flight 95
A.J. Abrams sporting the Nike Air Penny 4
Nice Kicks: To finish things off, our Nicekicks staff has been composing a weekly series that appears every Friday called the Good, Bad and the Fugly. What shoe come to mind as far as flat out UGLY?
A.J. Abrams: Air Jordan Retro 15. They could have done a much better job designing that shoe. It just not really my style. I have a certain style of shoe that I like to wear and that particular sneaker doesn’t fit it at all.
