| Throughout the coverage of Olympic Basketball we are reminded of the disappointing finish in Athens that was anything but golden; however, the three losses suffered in Greece were not nearly as tough to swallow as the first loss the USA ever suffered in the Olympics. Some of you may be thinking of the 1988 team that lost to the In the 1972 Munich Games the US was handed their first loss in what is remembered as one of the most controversial moments in Olympic history. Nearing the end of the game, American forward (and future coach of Michael Jordan in Chicago and Washington D.C.) Doug Collins sank 2 free throws to put Team USA up 50-49 over the Soviets when the final horn sounded right before his second shot. The officials reset the clock to 0:03 where then the USSR threw in a long pass and failed to score within regulation, but apparently one official whistled the play dead before the ball was inbounded for a timeout for the USSR. Play again resumed, the Soviets passed in the ball, missed again and the US celebrated their victory a second time. R. William Jones, Secretary General of FIBA, ordered that the clock be reset yet again to 0:03 despite the fact that he did not have the authority to do so. Game officials complied with his requests because of his position giving the Soviets a THIRD chance. The third attempt was the charm for the Soviets as they sunk the ball just as the horn sounded giving them the 51-50 edge over the US. Immediately after the game Team USA appealed to five person panel, but in the heat of the Cold War, the Iron Curtain dictated the way the judges would vote (Puerto Rico and Italy voted for the USA’s appeal, while Communist Cuba, Hungary, and Poland denied the appeal). Team members from the USA refused to accept the Silver Medals and several members of the team have directed in their wills that their heirs are not to accept them either. Converse has assembled a collection of three pairs of sneakers (1 for each chance the Soviets got ironically) to pose the question, “What If” the officials did the right thing, followed the rules, and stayed in line with their proper roles. Colors for the shoe match Team USA’s uniforms with accents of gold – the medal they rightfully earned. The Converse “What If” Pack will be available exclusively to House of Hoops and China and will range in price from $65 to $80 per pair that will release the middle of this month. More details about the shoes and photos posted after the jump compliments of CtotheJL. |
Design
??? The back of the Pro Leather 1976 Hi and Ox shoes feature a gold imprint on the heel (Hi) and tongue (both shoes) to rightfully honor the ???72 USAB team with Gold.
??? The suede materials used in the pack are similar to what would have been on product at the time (early ???70s).
??? The graphics on the shoes are inspired by the unique and iconic look of the ???72 games.
??? The sockliner of each shoe features an image of Lady Justice to represent the irony that justice was never served to the ???72 team.
??? This pack is about fairness, justice, and truth, and honors a team who made a stand for all of those principles.
Specifics
??? Pro Leather 1976 white/blue hi ($70)
??? 0100 milk/true blue/gold ($80)
??? Pro Leather 1976 OX ($65)
??? Available mid-August at House of Hoops and China only
Converse 1972 “What If” Pack
Converse 1972 “What If” Pack
Converse 1972 “What If” Pack – 0100 – $80
Converse 1972 “What If” Pack – 0100 – $80
Converse 1972 “What If” Pack – Pro Leather High – $70
Converse 1972 “What If” Pack – Pro Leather Ox – $65
