Kicks On Court Classic // The 2004 USA Olympic Team

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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.

Allen Iverson — Reebok Question 2
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LeBron James — Nike Zoom LeBron II
_____Amar’e Stoudemire — Air Jordan XIX
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Amar’e Stoudemire — Nike Air Max Uptempo “STAT” PE
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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
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Dwyane Wade — Converse Icon Warrior “DWADE” PE
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Emeka Okafor — Nike Uptempo Premier
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Lamar Odom — Air Jordan XIX
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Lamar Odom — Nike Zoom Huarache 2K4
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Shawn Marion — Nike Shox Xplosive
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Carmelo Anthony — Air Jordan Retro 7 “Melo” PE
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Carmelo Anthony — Jordan Melo 1.5 PE
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Carmelo Anthony — Air Jordan Retro II PE
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Richard Jefferson — Nike Shox Elite PE
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Stephon Marbury — AND1 Quest Mid
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Tim Duncan — adidas D-Cool
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Bonus Images:

2004 AI Interview USA Durag 2004 Bench 6

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 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.