words // Nick DePaula
With the NBA season thankfully getting underway this week as teams begin training camp, one of the league's most celebrated players of the modern era has not one, but two launches going down that celebrate his awesome rookie season.
The top pick of one of the NBA's best drafts, Allen Iverson stormed onto the scene for his 1996-97 rookie campaign in his signature Reebok Questions and the 76er's iconic red, white and blue unis.
As the league celebrated its 50th anniversary all season long, the 76ers paid tribute to one of the franchise's best squads and wore a royal blue "PHILA" jersey for a handful of road games, honoring the 1966-67 team. Headlined by Hal Greer and Wilt Chamberlain, the '66-67 Sixers went on to win an NBA title after putting an end to the eight-year championship run of the Bill Russell-captained Boston Celtics.
Not only was AI an instant star in Philadelphia all throughout the second half of the 90s, but he also helped to usher in the throwback jersey era at the turn of the century for locally founded Mitchell & Ness. It was indeed the "PHILA" jersey that he wore when he graced one of SLAM's most memorable covers.
Highlighted by the NBA's gold 50th Anniversary logo, a heavy duty royal blue mesh body and classic thick neck and arm bands, the "PHILA" Allen Iverson jersey by Mitchell & Ness releases at the end of the week on MitchellAndNess.com.
