Image via Complex Original
The fourth sneaker in a signature line is the make or break point for NBA superstars. At this moment, this is where we see a player's sneaker either have one more left in the tank, end, or become something wildly successful. For Michael Jordan, his fourth signature sneaker was one of his best, but things continued to get better from then on. For players such as Grant Hill, not so much. But more recent signature lines such as Kevin Durant's, the fourth sneaker has been great and started to build up their hype.
So we reached out to Complex Sneakers team and got everyone's opinion on how they felt about the fourth signature sneaker of NBA stars that ranged from Allen Iverson, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Penny Hardaway, and more. Here's what we had to say when Comparing the 4th Signature Sneaker of NBA Superstars.
RELATED: Signature Sixes: Comparing the Sixth Signature Sneakers of NBA Superstars
Matt Welty
Twitter: @matthewjwelty
Favorite IV: Air Jordan IV
Nike KD IV:
To many, the KD IV is the KD sneaker. It's the sneaker that uninformed sneakerheads still search out at your local sneaker store. The lower-cut, strap, and plethora of crazy colorways is what makes this the best KD sneaker. There's a reason why people were disappointed when the KD V dropped.
Air Jordan IV:
The Air Jordan IV is perfect. It finds that sweet spot between basketball sneaker and something that people love to wear. You won't look like you're hitting the court in these IVs, and they've been worn by virtually everyone with a shred of personal style.
Nike Zoom Kobe IV:
The Nike Zoom Kobe III was an awful sneaker look-wise. But when the IVs dropped, it changed everything for the Nike Kobe line. The Foot Locker commercials with the talking puppets brought a new hype and excitement to Nike signature sneakers that had been lacking in previous years.
Reebok Answer IV:
When it comes to the Reebok Answer IV there are a few questions you need ask yourself: How do you feel about zippers and mid-cut basketball sneakers. Of course, these don't hold the same prestige as the Questions, but the color schemes it came in definitely helped its cause. Also, Allen Iverson was killing it in these sneakers. That never hurts.
Reebok Shaq Attaq IV:
If there were ever a sneaker made for a big man, it was the Reebok Shaq Attaq IV. Shaq led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals in these kicks, only to get swept by the Houston Rockets. Although Hakeem may have won a ring, Shaq would soon get his own, and at least his sneakers looked better.
FILA Grant Hill IV:
FILA is too underrated for its signature basketball sneakers. It feels as if everyone had forgotten about the brand's history until the past few years. But that's what happens when your business model is to rip-off gimmick designs and make $30 sneakers.
Nike LeBron IV:
The Nike LeBron IV was either way ahead of its time or just awful. No one understood how these sneaker were Foamposites, but they realized they were heavy as shit. Of course, everyone went wild over the more limited color schemes, but the all-black versions that hit retail were a brick, literally.
Jordan Melo M4:
The thing I remember most about this sneaker is I completely fucked up putting up the window display, and had to make a run to the local Home Depot to fix the sign. Also, these sneakers, along with the majority of Melo's line, were awful. Remember when he tried to floss on It's the Shoes? Total fail.
Jordan CP3.IV:
Chris Paul's sneakers have never received their just due. They always look like the top tier of Jordan Brand's performance sneakers, but have never caught on. It's a shame, you could get these sneakers easily on sale, and that's how most people came up on them.
adidas Rose IV:
For once, will the adidas Rose line be something that people actually want to wear? Sure, it's great that the kicks are light as can be, but even with all of its bright colors, the line hasn't been a hit in the streets yet. Maybe this is the time everything changes.
adidas D Howard 4:
Dwight Howard has never had a cool sneaker. The 4 isn't much different, and I don't think he's befitting of a stylish signature, either.
adidas T Mac 4:
I remember these sneakers being on sale for $19.99, and there was only an 8.5 left. We tried to sell them to a girl who needed a pair of basketball sneakers, and she wasn't having it. That says a lot about these sneakers. Sorry, T-Mac.
Nike Air Penny IV:
The Penny IV is the least likely of Penny's line to see the light of day, but its bulky upper, strap, and Air Max goes surprisingly well together. That's because Nike kept the colorblocking simple on these joints.
Nike Pippen IV:
It feels like the only Pippen sneaker that gets any love is the Pippen I. By the time the Pippen IV rolled around, the Air Max design had come back but noticeably slimmed down to take much weight off the sneaker. Unfortunately, I can't see too many people sporting these if they came back.
Jacques Slade
Twitter: @kustoo
Favorite IV: Performance: Kobe IV* Style: Air Jordan IV *I haven't played in the D Rose 4 yet.
Nike KD IV:
It is safe to say that the KD IV was the shoe that changed everything for Kevin Durant and Nike. The price was below $100 and the colorways that Nike created for KD drove the community into a frenzy. To be honest, I do wish they brought back some of style of the KD IV in the subsequent models, but I understand progression and the need to move forward.
Air Jordan IV:
I remember when I was a kid seeing the older kids in the neighborhood rocking the Air Jordan IV. Back then, they were more of my idols than MJ was and watching them play basketball in them was everything. I remember asking my mother for a pair and to be honest I don't even remember if she answered me or not. I just know that I didn't get a pair until I was a lot older and I could buy them with my own money.
Nike Zoom Kobe IV:
If it wasn't for the Kobe V, the Kobe IV would be my favorite sneaker to play in. The low cut worked for Kobe's game and ended up translating very well for those that don't play at an elite level. Though there were not a lot of colors that stuck, the model was a great stepping stone to the V which really solidified the low-cut Kobe sneaker.
Reebok Answer IV:
When I think about the Reebok Answer IV, the first thing that comes to mind is DMX. It ended up working surprising well in a basketball shoe and the overall aesthetic of the shoe was pretty cool as well. I can't say I was a fan of the zipper, but you can't always get everything to go your way. I will say that the Answer is my favorite model behind the Question.
Reebok Shaq Attaq IV:
I never fully got behind the Shaq Attaq IV. The shoe is huge. Even looking at in now in retrospect, the shoe looks heavy as hell. If I have read the signs correctly, Reebok is planning to retro the shoe. If they do, I will definitely have to check it out in person before I decide if I will support one of my favorite players.
FILA Grant Hill IV:
As I've gotten older, I have a better appreciation for sneakers, but at the time, the FILA Grant Hill IV was not on my list of sneakers to grab. In fact, if we are being honest, I haven't owned a Grant Hill FILA shoe with the exception of the 96. I didn't even get the Method Man joints (FILA 95) and I was a huge M-E-T-H-O-D Man fan.
Nike LeBron IV:
As a basketball player that is under six feet tall, the LeBron IV was not for me. It looked futuristic and had some really cool colorways, but it didn't appeal to me enough to really want a pair. At times, I will see one of the homies rocking a pair and I think that I should have purchased a pair just to have one, but then I realize that I would hardly ever wear them and I don't feel so bad anymore. Shoutout to the homie Dante that let me ball in his a few summers back.
Jordan Melo M4:
It was potentially a really cool shoe...I'll leave it at that.
Jordan CP3.IV:
As a native of Los Angeles, I am a big fan of Chris Paul now that he plays for the Clippers. Not saying I am a Clipper fan, but I am happy he is here in L.A.. When it comes to the CP3.IV, I feel like it was a stepping stone to the CP3.VI which I love so much. It served more as a shoe in transition then a statement maker like I feel they have achieved with the CP3.VI.
adidas Rose IV:
Having been intricately involved with the launch of the D Rose IV and actually talking to Derrick Rose about the shoe has really given me a different insight to the shoe. I haven't actually played in them yet, but the story behind them has definitely caught my attention. The division of the shoe from the front to the back mimics the recent trials that Rose has faced with his injury and sets the stage for a really robust comeback this season. Visually, the shoe is really appealing, and if the colorways I have seen so far are any indication, they are really going to be a big deal.
adidas D Howard 4:
When I first saw the D Howard 4, I was impressed with the new look of the design. However, when I saw that they incorporated Crazyquick into the outsole, I started to rethink things. Crazyquick works really great for those that want a closer to the ground feel, but I am not sure that it works for a big man. But I digress, we are not talking about Crazyquick, we are talking about the D Howard 4. Lets just hope he does well in Houston and a big man besides Shaq actually moves some units.
adidas T Mac 4:
I just read that Nick Engvall has a pair of these "on ice". Because he is my friend and I really like T-Mac as a player, I am not going to judge him, but I could. I really could.
Nike Air Penny IV:
The Penny IV was one of my favorite in the line. I know that seems like a wild statement with Foamposites and all, but I don't really like Foams. The ankle strap is cool and the comfort was superb. Now that I am sitting here and talking about it, I really want a pair. Nike, can we make that happen?
Nike Pippen IV:
I may be judged harshly for this, but I don't remember this shoe in its original form. I have seen it on the internet and such, but I don't recall ever seeing it in person. It honestly reminds me of one of Brett's futuristic designs. Maybe it was before its time?
Michael Salzano
Twitter: @DeadstockNYC
Favorite IV: Air Jordan IV
Nike KD IV:
The KD IV was one of those shoes whose look was great on three key points. 1. The price point, as always: The KD line gave you as much bang for the buck as you could get, in comparison to LeBron's line and Kobe's that were significantly higher. 2. Colorways: The KD IV dropped during "PEAK" time for sneakers—a lot of super-hyped themes and colorways and became more of a history into Durant's career. Nerf, scoring titles etc, etc. 3. Design: The adaptive fit strap was "OK" to me personally, but it was a nice offering for players and casual wear.
Air Jordan IV:
The Jordan IV was a groundbreaking shoe for its time. Dropped after the slam dunk hype peaked, everything was Jordan. It was one of those shoes that was more complex than the three but you could see the simplicity. Wings were one of those "wow" designs that is hard to "if ever" will or can be recreated again.
Nike Zoom Kobe IV:
Hindsight is 20/20, if you could go BACKWARDS from the 8 to the IV you'd understand the progression better but at the time...lower and lower and lower. From the Hyperdunk 'esque' design that changed with the player it was designed for, it opened up eyes I think to brands and designers. Also, that if you have a signature athlete playing for that long and his game changes, so should his footwear.
Reebok Answer IV:
The Reebok Answer IV is one of my least-favorite shoes. I think I just missed the boat on them. At the time the market was SATURATED with signature shoe spinoffs and sub brands but from some points I touched on in the Kobe IV description, brands finally understood that a shoe should complement a player's game versus a marketing team.
Reebok Shaq Attaq IV:
Not really sure where Reebok wanted to take the the Shaq line. Like me in a race they started strong and got winded about a block in. The IV was about 30 percent Blacktop and 70 percent Shaq DNA, the others were groundbreaking for the brand. Pump, Instapump backboard-breaking campaigns but the IV looked like they just thought anything could sell and threw it out to market.
FILA Grant Hill IV:
The Grant Hill IV was like the movie that drops the same weekend as Iron Man, it's a good movie but without that marketing push it would never be talked about regularly. At the time FILA was like V8, you either loved it or hated it. There were people that would roll with Grant Hills regardless of what FILA pushed out but seems like during the IV they tapered the campaign back.
Nike LeBron IV:
The LeBron 1-6 are classics for many and invisible to about 95 percent of kids today. Oddly it's one of the shoes I've always wanted but never pulled the trigger on. At the time, I didn't really have a need for it and no colorways other than some exclusive ones. I felt like its a shoe that they could have slapped FOAMPOSITE TWO on and sold like hotcakes.
Jordan Melo M4:
The Melo IV seemed like a shoe that an engineer pitched to a room, rattled off the bootie, and other tech everyone clapped...then they were too busy celebrating to look at what they made.
Jordan CP3.IV:
CP3 is the sleeper of Jordan brand, consistantly never ceases to amaze but the only people that appreciate all the aspects of it are hardcore players versus the mall walkers.
adidas Rose IV:
I haven't seen the Rose IV in person yet but it seems like a step in the right direction. Not sure if they'll keep up this style shoe for his play since he's been out so long but seems to have a cult-like following with a lot of younger guys.
adidas D Howard 4:
The problem with shoes made for centers is that they are too large/bulky for average, everyday wearers. Even with the Howard 4's materials and lightness it's still "built up" and too busy.
adidas T Mac 4:
T-Mac is the Chuck Norris of sneakers, everyone talks about him but nobody has seen any of his work.
Nike Air Penny IV:
The Penny IV was a design that's hard to word but "captured" the era. If you look at the shoe you can see all the aspects of the time it was produced. It's like if someone asks you what the '90s were like, you can just point to it. The strap, the basic color blocking versus the wilder things that were coming out at the time.
Nike Pippen IV:
Pippen was the "un-Jordan": Most of his fans were just tired of saying they were Jordan fans so they went with number two. Great shoes but always a little "clunky" for the court personally. I feel that if they released NOW with the same designs but current technology, Flyknit, Hyperfuse, etc, they'd all be winners.
Dexter Gordon
Twitter: @swcdex
Favorite IV:Air Jordan IV
Nike KD IV:
The KD IV was cool to me. I liked that they kept the low look that began from the III, made it even lower and added the midfoot strap for lockdown. The colorways were so dope and it was good to see Nike make some improvements on this signature. Let's not forget he did take the scoring title in this shoe.
Air Jordan IV:
How could anyone ever go wrong with the Air Jordan IV? The IV changed the game significantly (Watch Do the Right Thing and thank me later). Have you seen the streets lately? You can't go a day without seeing a IV. Can you imagine what would happen if they re-introduced the 'Nike Air' to this series? This silhouette is definitely one of my all-time favorites.
Nike Zoom Kobe IV:
After all the high-top basketball sneakers that were released, Kobe went a different route and took on a low-top sneaker. People never thought it could work, but it did. This sneaker reintroduced the low top performer to the game. It definitely inspired the KD IV for it to be what it was. A signature should always fit the player's style and way of playing the game. The Nike Kobe IV was that signature.
Reebok Answer IV:
Reebok Answer IV is one of my favorite sneakers growing up. When I was younger, I couldn't always get Jordans, so my go-to sneaker was Iverson's signatures—especially the IVs. Playing a lot of ball back then, it was the sneaker that defined your game. I was no lightweight dude back then but if you saw me in the Answer IVs, I was guaranteed to leave you on the floor. You remember what he did to Tyronn Lue in LA right?
Reebok Shaq Attaq IV:
The Shaq Attaq IV. What can you really say about this sneaker without going ham? Shaquille was definitely a great player but it was easy for me to pass up on this one.
FILA Grant Hill IV:
The Grant Hill I is the only signature I like but we are talking about the IV. The IV was a pass to me. It just looked really heavy and bulky.
Nike LeBron IV:
Like most sneakers, you only appreciate the LeBron IV when they're gone. At first, I didn't really like the shoe. Recently, however, my friend pulled out the "Fruity Pebbles" pair and I was sad that I passed on these. This is was a great shoe, and that Foamposite base?
Jordan Melo M4:
Can anyone honestly say they remember the Melo M4? It is a shame that I don't, but then again is it really? Honestly, I would probably pick these up to ball in but nothing to just wear. From a performance standpoint, the shoe looks like it handles itself well.
Jordan CP3.IV:
I like what Jordan Brand was going for with this shoe. The silhouette is really dope to me. Never got a chance to see what they were like though.
adidas Rose IV:
I'm already starting to like what I see in the Rose IV. It would be interesting to see all the performance enhancements that they did to this silhouette since the 3.5. I really like the color-blocking and it will be good to see D. Rose finally play basketball in his signature shoe.
adidas D Howard 4:
If I said I didn't like how the shoe looked, it would be a lie. The colorway he took with him when he went overseas is definitely a good look.
adidas T Mac 4:
If you are not into the T-Mac I or II, it is very easy for you to get passed up. Can you even remember how the IV looked, or even what team he played for when he played in them? Don't worry, I'll wait.
Nike Air Penny IV:
The Nike Penny line was an awesome line of sneakers. But to me, this was one of his models I can definitely do without.
Nike Pippen IV:
Pippen was a great player. Jordan wouldn't be Jordan if he didn't have Scottie. With that being said, why would Nike do this to the homie? I guess you can't win them all—especially when Jordan was already using up all the resources for his designs.
Jeffery Jason
Twitter: @iamjeffreyjason
Favorite IV: Air Jordan IV
Nike KD IV:
When it comes to the KD signature line the KD III is my favorite by far. However, I understand that the KD IV is the best model out of the bunch. In addition to being the sneaker of choice for one of the games current superstars it features three great attributes in the Dynamic Fit strap, Zoom Air, and Hyperfuse; all for under $100 retail.
Air Jordan IV:
The Air Jordan IV retro'd for the first time when I was in high school and it was everything to us! Being that I was just 15 years old at the time I didn't have the pleasure of watching MJ play in them outside of highlights. That alone made us want the shoe, never mind that it was an amazing-looking shoe that seemingly went with everything we put on.
Nike Zoom Kobe IV:
I was beyond excited when the Nike Zoom Kobe IV dropped. I had always been a fan of hooping in low-cut sneakers but until that time there really weren't many options. Many of the colorways and material selections turned me off and kept me from ever actually purchasing a pair.
Reebok Answer IV:
Man, I used to think the Reebok Answer IV was beyond ugly. The way the top three lace-loops stick out of the enclosure bugged the crap out me. But, somewhere along the line I grew to like them. I now even own a pair and actually love them.
Reebok Shaq Attaq IV:
Shaquille O'Neal was one of my favorite players growing up and the Reebok Shaq Attaq IV became a favorite sneaker of mine as I became older. I love the color-blocking a lot. The collar height is dope to me, too!
FILA Grant Hill IV:
I cannot front, the FILA Grant Hill IV is not an appealing sneaker to me, at all. Louis, please don't retro the GH4, haha.
Nike LeBron IV:
I am not sure what the sneaker world thinks of the Nike Zoom LeBron IV but I love it! There is something about its silhouette that attracts me to them. The color-blocking, design lines, and materials are all winners to me. I could do without the tongue coverings though.
Jordan Melo M4:
Ugh.
Jordan CP3.IV:
The only thing I somewhat like about the CP3.IV is its silhouette.
adidas Rose IV:
Bold color-blocking is something I love on sneakers. The adidas Rose 4 is dope in that regard. The one thing that completely turns me off about them, and will likely keep me from getting a pair, is the toe. The seams, or whatever they are, look so out of place to me.
adidas D Howard 4:
Huh. What? I am I supposed to write something here?
adidas T Mac 4:
Damn, how many sneakers did T-Mac get?
Nike Air Penny IV:
The Nike Air Penny IV was another one of those sneakers I did not like nor appreciate until I was grown. I always felt the piece over the tongue was, for the lack of a better word, stupid. And while I grew to like the Penny IV I still only purchased one pair
Nike Pippen IV: The Pippen signature line from Nike is great! The Pippen II is one of my 10 favorite Nike Basketball sneakers. The Pippen IV however, is not. I don't like any Pippen IVs outside of the white/navy colorway.
Jonathan Sawyer
Twitter: @jsawyer86
Favorite IV: Air Jordan IV
Nike KD IV:
Back when I was playing organized ball, I was adamantly against low-top basketball sneakers. Now that my ankles are older, weaker and just blah, I'm ironically for 'em. It may have something to do with me hardly ever wearing any high-tops these days, period, but nonetheless, the KD IV silhouette is an overall great looking shoe to me. Nike of course blessed KD with a slew of fresh colorways to where if you were into the model at all, there was definitely a scheme or two for you.
Air Jordan IV:
Easy with the slander, but for me, there are only a select few Jordan silhouettes that I can consistently get into; however, the IV just so happens to be one that I pretty much always like. There are probably two other silhouettes from JB (I and II) that I mess with all the time, just to give you an idea. To me, all Jordans boil down to the iconic nature and nostalgia, and the OG colorways I enjoy here are no different. I feel like babbling on about them would just be pointless and undermining the legacy. Top three JB silhouette for me should pretty much say it all.
Nike Zoom Kobe IV:
I dig what Nike and Kobe did, sort of bringing back the relevancy of the low-top basketball sneaker, but this mid-cut model just really did nothing for me. I think the Swoosh got it right later on with the LeBrons of the similar look, but here, no. Not much else for me to say with these. Sorry.
Reebok Answer IV:
I believe it was my freshman year of high school that I rocked these bad boys. My school was sponsored by Nike, so I could't wear them during our organized games, but I would practice in these (as often as I could without getting yelled at) and also wear 'em while hooping at the Y and in AAU games. I honestly think I was more into AI back then than the shoe itself, but looking back, I can't really hate on the sneaker at all. I really was into the zip look on the kicks and still like them to this day.
Reebok Shaq Attaq IV:
Looking back, I still don't understand how this was a basketball shoe, more like a snowboard boot to me. But hey, I was always a little man on the court and maybe that's why. Nonetheless, I don't think I ever paid much attention to these growing up, and to this day, I can still see why. No appeal here for me at all.
FILA Grant Hill IV:
Ironically I guess, I dig the resurgence of FILA now more than when the brand was first popular as a kid. I remember in grade school, one of my closest friends worshipped Grant Hill, so he had every one of his sneakers. I thought they were pretty cool back then, but even moreso now. The IV isn't my favorite within the Hill range, but not my least either.
Nike LeBron IV:
These looked way cooler on LeBron than anything else to me. I think it takes a bigger guy to really pull these off, so I guess 6'8 and in between 250-280 doesn't hurt with that. There were really only like two colorways of these that I enjoyed, but again, I was never brave enough to rock with my below six-foot frame.
Jordan Melo M4:
I know JB gets criticized pretty much on the regular these days for their newer hoops models (and ever more so a few years back), but still, what were you thinking with these, Jumpman? I am really at a loss, still.
Jordan CP3.IV:
I am definitely a fan of Chris Paul, and not just because we both have North Carolina roots. The CP3.IV on the other hand, not so much. The height of the sneaker is cool, but I just never got into the overall aesthetic of these. And to me, the colorways were pretty lackluster as well.
adidas Rose IV:
Overall, I like what adidas has done with Derrick Rose's line. I only hope that with the 4, D Rose is on the court in 'em for the entire season. The brand translates his background details into his sneakers very well, so I expect that to be the same with the new silhouette. Not much to say, yet, about the colorways, but so far so good for the design of the shoe. Again, let's just hope D Rose stays in 'em and healthy.
adidas D Howard 4:
Surprisingly, I think these are pretty cool for a big man. I'm not really sure what else we should expect for Dwight. The colorways so far for this one have been a bit much for me, but again, I'm a low-top and more subdued kinda guy. You big fellas, though, have at these.
adidas T Mac 4:
adidas tried some interesting things with T-Mac's line. Some worked of course, and some, no. These, no.
Nike Air Penny IV:
Penny was my favorite player growing up, so I loved every one of his sneakers by default. To this day, his line is probably my favorite overall. This model, however, is on the bottom half for me. I liked it way more back in the day than now.
Nike Pippen IV:
Poor Scottie, always playing second fiddle. But maybe if these were a little better—well—nevermind. One of the greatest to ever lace 'em up, but these on the other hand, not so much. You could've worn your teammate's kicks, no?
Brett Golliff
Twitter: @bgolliff
Favorite Iv: Air Jordan IV
Nike KD IV:
The KD IV is a great shoe and definitely seems to be the pair that took the KD line to being one of the top signature shoes year in and year out but it is actually my second least favorite in the line, the III is actually the one I like the least. To me the KD has always been this really pure line that was clean and very simple. It was like a modern version of the Pippen line to me. The IV didn't have that feeling to me, primarly because of the strap. I felt it took a lot away from the design. The one thing that kept me enticed though was the amount of options it featured on NIKEiD and the endless amount of great colorways it received.
Air Jordan IV:
While I don't think this shoe is the best Air Jordan ever, it is by far one of my favorites and stays in constant rotation for me. Next to the III and XI, I don't think there is a more iconic Air Jordan. One thing that made this shoe so amazing to me is how young I was when it first came out in 1989. I was four years old so I wasn't really into this whole shoe thing yet but by the time I became a Jordan fanatic I knew these shoes as the shoe that took down Cleveland. There are few Jordans with a more polarizing history than this one.
Nike Zoom Kobe IV:
The best thing about the Kobe IV is what it did to the industry. It turned it upside down and made everyone rethink how to design a basketball shoe, and in a way it also helped revitalize the Nike Basketball stable. As it made a clear differentiation between the LeBron line and the standard basketball product, giving Kobe his own segment. It was also great to see Kobe win his fourth championship, and first championship with Nike, in them.
Reebok Answer IV:
The Answer IV is the second-best shoe Iverson ever wore (possibly third if you include him rocking the Air Jordan XI while at Georgetown). The Question is a phenomenal shoe but the real answer didn't come until the IV as the II and III didn't provide a strong reason for being in my eyes. What made the IV so great was the proportion of it and the color-blocking. I loved the collar line dropped so low, it really gave the shoe a lot of speed. And the color options really played up the functional details of the shoe, especially in the forefoot, highlighting the protection that was created for Allen's quick movements.
Reebok Shaq Attaq IV:
I have to be blunt here, this was a bad shoe in my eyes. I respect that not many make it to four signatures so it is a feat that Shaq made it that far but this shoe just wasn't for me.
FILA Grant Hill IV:
I always thought FILA had great product but their branding needed heavy work. This shoe was fresh and harkened back to what was great about the second Hill but the "F" logo stacked on top of the FILA font always killed it for me. One of the great things about this shoe though was the color options. I loved how there were like concentric shapes that gradiated within the upper.
Nike LeBron IV:
I absolutely love to look at the LeBron IV. To me it is a thing of sculptural beauty but the weight of that shoe was too much for me. I do always argue with others about how this was one of the best-designed shoes for LeBron though. He was the only one that made that shoe seem light-weight and was definitely the only one that made that took advantage of the Free inspired sole unit.
Jordan Melo M4:
The Melo line has always been over-built to me. They seem to be more Timberland like then basketball shoe like. While this one seemed more streamlined it still featured so many material overlays. This was actually one of the first shoes I ever took to a bandsaw to dissect while on the job. The Air unit in this amazed me at how detailed and engineered it was but the upper just seemed so rigid with all its layers. In the end my dissection led me to believe it was great styling and execution but way too many processes.
Jordan CP3.IV:
The CP line is my favorite signature line within the Jordan Brand. They do a great job at creating a product that makes sense for Chris. I felt this one was a little overdone in the storytelling elements that brand is famous for, which led to the shoe being piecy and a little busy. All in all though, this was a great shoe that set the course for the lines current aesthetic.
adidas Rose IV:
I haven't had the experience yet to hold this shoe but I will say I am thrilled by the bold aesthetic choice Adidas made by splitting the shoe vertically into 1/3's. It makes the shoe look very quick and functional. What I love most about the choice is that adidas took a stance to create something unique to themselves. The last Rose was a great shoe but nothing really distinguished it dramatically visually from anyone other product, this changes all of that.
adidas D Howard 4:
I have a very hard time with "centers" or "big-men" shoes because they never seem quick enough or streamlined enough. Visually they always look heavy. While this shoe featured some great upper features, like the Sprint Web, it just did nothing to speed the product up and make it appealing to me and it didn't separate itself enough from the team product adidas was offering at that time as well.
adidas T Mac 4:
This shoe was one of the shoes that truly captured my imagination as I was dreaming of one day of becoming a designer. It's a laceless shoe! What young impressionable mind wouldn't be impressed by that? Add to that the amazing commercial they shot of him being attacked by a special ops team that is trying to hold him down with rope but he breaks through them, subtly symbolizing the removal of laces from his shoe, and you have a winner in my book.
Nike Air Penny IV:
I couldn't get with this shoe. I loved the whole Penny line up to this point but this shoe didn't grab my attention the way the others did. It's a shame that this was his last shoe because his other pairs were damn near perfect.
Nike Pippen IV:
The Pippen IV was one of the greatest Pippens ever and still inspires me to this day! I love the simplicity of it. Few people fail to understand how significant a product can look by just celebrating a single material. This shoe does that nearly perfectly. Sadly I never owned this shoe....so if someone has a 10.5 or an 11, holler!
Brandon Edler
Twitter: @mrbrando3
Favorite Iv: Reebok Answer IV
Nike KD IV:
The KD IV was the shoe that progressed his signature line from "it's cool" to on the same level as 'Bron and Kobe for Nike Basketball. The design was on point and the colorways made it just as hot off the court as on, it didn't hurt that KD took OKC to the Finals a lot earlier than a lot of people expected that year.
Air Jordan IV:
You already know these had everyone buggin' out, pun intended. The III changed the game and the IV kept the momentum going in the right direction. The black and cement pair paired with the right jeans gets approval from even the snobbiest anti-sneaker girls and what Jordan did to the Cavaliers in these was straight up disrespectful, it was beautiful.
Nike Zoom Kobe IV:
The Kobes I-III were pretty much a disaster in my opinion but the IV had everyone intrigued, even if Bryant slander was their favorite hobby on Twitter. The low-cut design and lightweight shoe allowed you to do anything you were physically capable of on the court and even with the reservations you might break your ankles, The Swoosh did enough to make sure you were protected.
Reebok Answer IV:
Maybe I am trolling a little by saying these are my favorite IVs but I was like five when Michael originally wore his and a senior when AI single-handly carried the shittiest team to ever make the Finals and even steal game one on the road in L.A. thanks to Bubbachuck. Who could forget him hitting the jumper in front of the Lakers' bench and then stepping over Tyronn Lue who never stood a chance?
Reebok Shaq Attaq IV:
These just weren't for me, when I was copping shoes in the '90s it was strictly to hoop in but Reebok did a great job with all of Shaq's shoes—the series really is underrated.
FILA Grant Hill IV:
Grant Hill was such a unique player and his first few FILAs aren't getting nearly enough respect with the retro craze in full force but the IVs just weren't anything that stood out.
Nike LeBron IV:
LeBron's shoes have just been so hit or miss with me and the IV was a miss. The Foamposite material seemed too forced and they looked like they weighed in at 20 ounces which isn't very flattering on your foot unless you're 6'9 265 pounds. It feels like they took ideas from the IV and incorporated it in the XI and executed it flawlessly the second time around.
Jordan Melo M4:
If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
Jordan CP3.IV:
Jordan Brand has done a great job with CP3's line—the shoes are a great extension of his game and personality and the designs seem to really resonate with players and fans. It might be safe to say he has the best signature shoes on JB since the man himself and the CP3.IV might even give a few Jordans a run for their money.
adidas Rose IV:
I was lucky enough to go to the unveiling this past weekend in Chicago and the Rose IVs are the perfect kicks for his return. The shoes design looks incredibly fast and they are extremely light on your feet with much more lock down and protection than his previous models, which weren't exactly lacking. It's obvious adidas is all in with D. Rose and these shoes are further proof that the kid is back.
adidas D Howard 4:
Dwight Howard has his own shoe? Oh.
adidas T Mac 4:
I rocked these in college intramurals leading my team to a .500 record averaging a solid three points a game. The T-Mac series doesn't get enough credit for how lightweight and fuctional they were on the court without compromising design.
Nike Air Penny IV:
Penny was my man but the III and IV left a lot to be desired after Nike murdered the Is and IIs.
Nike Pippen IV:
I'll be honest, I barely even remember these, Scottie was so dope and so were his first two signature kicks and other endless unofficial shoes but Nike kind of lost me for a minute with some of their designs including this one.
Nick Engvall
Twitter: @NickEngvall
Favorite IV: Air Jordan IV
Nike KD IV:
I was lucky enough to wear test early versions of the Nike Zoom KD IV. Thankfully, Nike made some improvements to the design and I'd say this is Kevin Durant's best sneaker. It had just the right design details to look like a signature sneaker and the price was still reasonable compared to other signature models.
Air Jordan IV:
The Military IV was one of the shoes that started it all for me. It's hard to explain how significant this sneaker is to me considering sneakers didn't ruin my life, they've become my life. When it comes down to it, this is one of the single most important sneakers ever created. I'm pretty certain many people would say the same.
Nike Zoom Kobe IV:
I am not a fan of Kobe Bryant. But I have to give credit where credit is due. The Nike Zoom Kobe IV is one of my favorite basketball shoes to play in. Ever. That's saying a lot.
Reebok Answer IV:
AI is my favorite player of all time. He represented everything I wanted to be and everything society didn't want me to be all wrapped up into one 6-foot (yeah, right) frame. The Answer IV was bananas and was one of my favorite sneakers that I could never afford. Thank the sneaker gods for retros, because I needed these to come back around. You never know when you are going to need to make a fool out of your competition and then step right over his sorry ass.
Reebok Shaq Attaq IV:
As much as I liked Shaq back in the day, I never made it to the Shaq Attaq IV. The Instapump was awesome but it was so far out of my price range that I could never appreciate it for what it was. Now, it might be nice to grab a pair if they retroed but they still don't hold weight against the other IVs.
FILA Grant Hill IV:
I'm partial to the Grant Hill I and II. By the time the IV came around, my interest in Grant Hill (or his FILAs) was overshadowed by his nagging injuries. They're dope but nothing I can't live without.
Nike LeBron IV:
I don't really mess with Foams or much of anything with Foamposite material on shoes. Only colorway I'd take is the "Birthday" joints with the blue and orange. Otherwise, I'm good.
Jordan Melo M4:
I liked the concept of the Melo M4, the same way I like the Jordan Pro Dominate and the Kobe VII. I like the idea of an ankle wrap, removable or not. Unfortunately Carmelo Anthony was more of a let down back then so I really couldn't see myself grabbing these over a retro of that era.
Jordan CP3.IV:
I'm a big fan of the CP3 Jordan line. It's progressed nicely and aside from the first, i feel all of them are solid basketball shoes. The IV is one of the best. Lightweight, clean toebox design and good traction. It's a great shoe to play in.
adidas Rose IV:
I haven't got to see the Rose IV in person but I like the design. The Rose line is one of my favorite signature lines out right now. I've bought multiple colorways of all of the series and I would guess the Rose IV will be the same.
adidas D Howard 4:
I really like the Crazyquick and style-wise, the Howard 4 looks so similar that I can't see the need for them. Plus Dwight's struggles with every team he has ever played for make it hard to want to wear the guy's shoes at this point.
adidas T Mac 4:
Considering I still have a pair of these "on ice" as they say, I must like them. I really just love the crazy tech and fastening system on the heel. So much so that I can overlook the fact that the T-Mac IV weighs 16 tons.
Nike Air Penny IV:
Penny's fourth signature was dope. I loved the ankle strap (surprise, surprise) but oddly enough I never got my hands on a pair of these. Must be those college struggle years with no sneaker money.
Nike Pippen IV:
Pippen? Nah, bro. I was watching Jordan.
Russ Bengtson
Twitter: @russbengtson
Favorite IV: Air Jordan IV
Nike KD IV:
To me, the KD IV still stands as the epitome of the KD line. Still relatively bargain priced compared to Nike's other signature models, the KD IV was a no-frills (unless you count the dynamic-fit strap as a frill) hoops shoe fit for any level of play. Off the court, it took color well, and was a hit on NIKEiD. The V was a decided departure from the KD's trajectory, and the VI took things in an entirely different direction-hopefully for the VII they take it back to what worked best.
Air Jordan IV:
The first Air Jordan to take weight into the equation, the Air Jordan IV was more than just an update of the groundbreaking III-it helped redefine the basketball sneaker in ways that are still recognizable today. Those mesh panels in the tongue and sides were essentially proto-Hyperfuse, and the "wings" on the sides were a way to add support without adding unnecessary weight. The spatter on the midsole gave a little ACG-extra to the design, although it was oddly only used on the initial white/cement colorway. For a hundred bucks ($108 with tax) you couldn't get a more forward-thinking basketball sneaker in 1989. And that's the triple truth, Ruth.
Nike Zoom Kobe IV:
Kobe Bryant's fourth signature shoe for Nike was essentially a total re-boot (no pun intended) of his line, and the first Kobe signature of any brand to truly represent Kobe's approach to the game. Eric Avar did the heavy lifting, but the Kobe IV was definitely a Kobe-led effort, from the soccer-inspired cut to the gram-saving efforts throughout. And while it would be instantly eclipsed in lower-ness (both ankle collar and ride) by its successor, the Kobe IV started something that continued through the Kobe 8 (and presumably through the upcoming 9 as well).
Reebok Answer IV:
If only every sneaker Reebok designed for Allen Iverson was like the Answer IV. Low, sleek and (relatively) light, the Answer IV was one of the few Iverson signature models that seemed to be expressly created for Iverson's speed-based game. With DMX in the bottom and a zip-up lace cover on top, this was ounce-for-ounce the best Answer ever. Just ask Tyronn Lue, he got a great look at them in the 2001 NBA Finals.
Reebok Shaq Attaq IV:
A traditional center's shoe for a not-so-traditional center, the Shaq Attaq IV is not as fondly remembered as the first iteration, but the InstaPump-equipped hightop still stands as the final Shaq Attaq before Reebok moved on to the Hexalite-crazy Preacher and Dunkmob models. A retro seems highly unlikely at this point, but if Nike could bring back the Air Python, anything is posssssibbbbble.
FILA Grant Hill IV:
This is probably heresy, but I prefer the Grant Hill IV to the much more popular Grant Hill 1 or 2. It was a more purposeful design, without the vestigal lace loops of the 1 or the not-so-essential Velcro strap of the 2. Unfortunately, it also marked the beginning of the end for Hill's relationship with FILA—and Hill's All-NBA career.
Nike LeBron IV:
The LeBron IV seemed to be the one LeBron best suited for LeBron's game, and least suited for pretty much everyone who isn't a 6-9, 260-pound freak of nature. A Foamposite-reinforced brick, this sneaker could have been used by the mob to sink bodies in the bay. LeBron seemed to do OK with them, though.
Jordan Melo M4:
The detachable ankle brace was a nice touch on an otherwise eminently forgettable sneaker.
Jordan CP3.IV:
Much like the Kobe IV, the CP3.IV is the sneaker that sent Chris Paul's line on his current path. And like Kobe's line, CP3's went lower and lighter, with a liberally ventilated upper supported by his favored Podulon cushioning. Not the best Chris Paul shoe, but a significant one.
adidas Rose IV:
The vertical line that distinctly divides the front 3/4 of the sneaker from the last quarter (or maybe it's the front 4/5 from the final fifth) is so jarring that it makes you take a second look before you're even done with the first. Which is a good thing for what amounts to the anti-mullet of shoes (business in the back, party in the front). And the stripes on the heel carry over the established Rose aesthetic. If the launch of these is as anticipated as the return of Derrick Rose himself, adidas will have themselves a hit.
adidas D Howard 4:
The Dwight Howard 4 undoubtedly performs well and may wind up being a popular choice in Asia, but given Dwight's interminable "decision," I fear they will be a non-starter in the USA.
adidas T Mac 4:
Tracy McGrady's fourth signature model was an evolutionary dead end, borrowing a high-tech closure system from Salomon that added a massive amount of additional weight to the heel that wasn't offset by any notable increase in performance. It's possible that Tracy's back problems can be traced back to him lifting his first sample pair of these.
Nike Air Penny IV:
Penny's last signature shoe as an active player was also his most comfortable, perhaps anticipating his future role filling a rocking chair. They also weren't technically his fourth signature shoe, as the Foamposite One came between the Penny II and Penny III, but who's counting really? The metal Penny emblem on the tongue was a nice touch—hopefully Penny had an iced-out platinum one at some point.
Nike Pippen IV:
The Nike Pippen IV is a vasty underrated and criminally forgotten signature model—I place it second when it comes to IVs, behind the Jordan and just ahead of the Kobe and the Answer. A sleek Aaron Cooper design with a Max bag in the heel and Zoom up front, it represented a natural progression from the II and III. As for the V, we're just going to pretend that never happened.
