SOLE: Sneakers Shoes

Words_Jeremy Ripley

The 1972 Olympics provided a unique result for the U.S. men’s basketball team and America at-large. For the first time since basketball was enacted at the worldly athletic competition in ’36, the United States was unable to claim the gold medal, losing perhaps the most controversial game in history (there’s no telling how fixed that Game 6 was Sacramento) to the Soviet Union.

With three seconds left in regulation, Doug Collins of the United States made two free throws, giving Team U.S.A. a 50-49 lead. The ensuing possession(s) proved to be extraordinarily chaotic, as two seconds after the Soviets inbounded the ball, Brazilian referee Renato Righetto abruptly halted the action, signaling that U.S.S.R. coach Vladimir Kondrashin motioned for a time-out after the made free throws.

The U.S.S.R. was given a second opportunity to enter the ball. After a Soviet miss, the United States began to celebrate at center court, under the impression that they did indeed capture another gold medal. But Kondrashin wasn’t done yet—he argued that the game clock was incorrectly reset and demanded a third offensive opportunity. FIBA Secretary General Renato William Jones of Italy overruled both the bookkeeper and scorekeepers, and allowed for another 0:03 of game time (it should be noted that Jones had no authority regarding in-game officiating issues). As the old adage goes, the third time proved the charm for the Soviets, who stole the victory thanks to a buzzer beater from star player Aleksandr Belov.

Taking inspiration from our country’s civilly disobedient citizens of the ‘60s, the American team was consciously absent from the medal ceremony. Perhaps the squad felt robbed of a victory? Or was it food poisoning that kept them from accepting that Silver medal? (In any event, the silver medals are nestled away in a vault deep in the mountains of Switzerland.) Upon official FIBA review later that year, a five man panel of Communist-friendly judges proved once again that politics too often impairs the integrity of sport (see Brandon Jennings) awarding the U.S.S.R. the gold in a 3-2 decision.

And now that I’ve taken you through that dreadfully painful epilogue of United States sports history, it’s time to showcase the goodies. Converse is celebrating the dubious event by releasing a set of beautifully crafted shoes all reverting back to that nagging defeat. The Pro Leather ’76 Mid and Ox received a deluxe material treatment as both models incorporate healthy splashes of buttery smooth suede and comforting mesh. The 0100, a fall ’08 hoops shoe you’ll learn more about down the road, also implements the same materials into a sleek, vulcanized-inspired design.

The ’76 Mid will retail for $70, the Ox $65, while the 0100 warrants an $80 price tag. The pack will only be available at Harlem’s House of Hoops and in Beijing, which is so convenient.