Kicks On Court Classic // The 2004 USA Olympic Team

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words // Nick DePaula: 

Over a decade ago, the 2004 USA Men’s Olympic basketball team once again made history, only this time for all the wrong reasons. The squad of mismatched personalities and stars all in different stages of their careers placed 3rd in Athens, taking home a Bronze Medal and the unfortunate distinction of being the first pro American team to lose an Olympic game.

Headlined by NBA MVPs Tim Duncan and Allen Iverson, the roster also included a trio of ’03 class stars in LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade, along with versatile wing players like Lamar Odom, Shawn Marion and Amar’e Stoudemire.

Most players have always blamed Coach Larry Brown for failing to play the young players and get everyone on the same page. It was also right as an international generation inspired by the ’92 Dream Team had seemingly caught up to the level of competition, as Spain, Italy, Argentina and Lithuania each fielded strong teams. ‘Bron recently put it more matter-of-factly, and called the whole experience “a shitshow.”

Nevertheless, as always, the US players looked to take advantage of the global platform and make a mark with their footwear, as several players debuted new models altogether. Iverson turned back the clock with a retro-inspired new model in the Reebok Question 2, while LeBron debuted his second signature sneaker and Carmelo Anthony rotated between several PE editions throughout the tournament.

Check out all of the Kicks On Court worn by each member of the 2004 team below, and stay tuned later this week for a look at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic teams.

If you missed it, be sure to also check out the classic 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Kicks On Court.

AI 2 AI Iverson Question 2
Allen Iverson — Reebok Question 2
_____Bron 2 USA 3 Bron 2 USA 5 Bron 2 USA 6 Bron 2 USA 2004 LeBron II ATHENS - AUGUST 21: Lead by Tim Duncan #13, the United States walks off the court after a loss to Lithuania in a men's basketball preliminary game on August 21, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Indoor Arena of the Helliniko Olympic Complex in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tim Duncan;LeBron James;Stephon Marbury
LeBron James — Nike Zoom LeBron II
_____Bron Amare Melo BenchAmar’e Stoudemire — Air Jordan XIX
_____Stat Booz

Amar’e Stoudemire — Nike Air Max Uptempo “STAT” PE
_____

ATHENS - AUGUST 15: Carlos Boozer and Carmelo Anthony of the United States sit with their teammates in the men's basketball preliminary game on August 15, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Indoor Arena of the Helliniko Olympic Complex in Athens, Greece. Puerto Rico won 92-73. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carlos Boozer;Carmelo Anthony

Carlos Boozer — Nike Zoom Huarache 2K4 PE
_____

DWade 1 DWade 2 DWade 3
Dwyane Wade — Converse Icon Warrior “DWADE” PE
_____

Emeka 1

Emeka Okafor — Nike Uptempo Premier
_____

 LO 1

Lamar Odom — Air Jordan XIX
_____

 LO 2
Lamar Odom — Nike Zoom Huarache 2K4
_____

Matrix 1 Matrix Shawn Marion Olympics Shox Matrix
Shawn Marion — Nike Shox Xplosive
_____

Melo 2004 Olympic AJ VII 7 PE 1 Amare Melo 2004 Olympic AJ VII 7 PE 2
Carmelo Anthony — Air Jordan Retro 7 “Melo” PE
_____

Melo Carmelo Anthony USAB 2004 Melo 1_5 Jordan A Melo Carmelo Anthony USAB 2004 Melo 1_5 Jordan
Carmelo Anthony — Jordan Melo 1.5 PE
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Melo Olympics 2004 AJ B Melo Olympics 2004 AJ C Melo Olympics 2004 AJ II 2 USA
Carmelo Anthony — Air Jordan Retro II PE
_____
RJ 1 RJ 2
Richard Jefferson — Nike Shox Elite PE
_____

Starbury 1
Stephon Marbury — AND1 Quest Mid
_____

 Timmy 1 Timmy 2 Timmy 3

Tim Duncan — adidas D-Cool
_____

Bonus Images: 

2004 AI Interview USA Durag 2004 Bench 6

ATHENS - AUGUST 27: USA stands on the court dejected after their loss to Argentina during the mens' basketball semifinal game on August 27, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Indoor Hall of the Olympic Sports Complex in Athens, Greece. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright NBAE 2004 (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tim Duncan;Allen Iverson;Stephon Marbury;LeBron James

epa000251985 US basketball players Emeka Okafor (L), Amare Stoudemire (C) and Allan Iverson (R) react on the bench as their team is defeated by Puerto Rico in a preliminary group B Basketball match of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Sunday 15 August 2004. The US team lost 73-92. epa/ana/dpa Akis Mikoniatis EPA/Akis Mikoniatis

2004 bench struggle 8 2004 bench struggle 9 2004 bench struggle 2004 Bron AI 2004 Bron Bronze 2

8/28/04 --Al Diaz/Miami Herald/KRT--Athens, Greece--Lituania vs USA during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games at Olympic Indoor Hall. USA wins the Bronze Medal defeating LTU 96-104. USA's Left to right, Emeka Okafor, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer and Dwyane Wade disappointed in only winning the Bronze Medal.

ATHENS - AUGUST 28: LeBron James #9, Carmelo Anthony #8 and Allen Iverson of the United States walk off the court after they receive the bronze medal for men's basketball during ceremonies on August 28, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Indoor Hall of the Olympic Sports Complex in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James;Carmelo Anthony;Allen Iverson

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