10 Things We Learned From Team USA & Olympics

Posted by Sole-U on Aug 12, 2012 in Archive, Blog, Feature |

The 2012 Summer Olympics might be over and the closing ceremonies take us home as we lie in wait for the 2016 Summer Olympic games in Rio De Janeiro…but for now we will savor the second straight gold medal for the Men’s National Team and the fifth straight for the Women’s National Team. The Olympics embody the human spirit through sport but it embodies the spirit of the everyday sneaker enthusiast. Below are 10 things we can take away from the 2012 London games.

10. We Now Know What the Purple Laces Were All About:

The Nike Zoom KD IV ‘Gold Medal’ release puzzled a lot of people with its extra set of purple laces. But, it became evident today with the capturing of gold…the purple strings were inspired by the purple lanyard that donned the gold medal. It honestly pays to pay attention to detail.

9. Nike Has Psychic Abilities:

Everyone’s friendly company in Beaverton might just have supernatural powers when it comes to predicting the future. The early looks and release announcements of the Nike Zoom KD IV, Nike Zoom Kobe VII and Nike Lunar Hyperdunk was not in vein…as Team USA captures gold.

8. Team USA or Team Nike:

Clearly absent from the 2012 National Team was Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard both coming off injury and surgery…this left Adidas very non-existent in London. Reebok was also absent by their athletes on the Team USA roster, leaving only those who are signed under the Swoosh.

7. Diana Taurasi Has a Thing For the Nike Air Max LeBron 7:

Just about three signatures removed from the Nike Air Max LeBron 7 and it still holds a special place in sneaker lure. And, Diana Taurasi loves her LeBron 7 Olympic PEs so much that she brought them on another international run on the path paved with gold to more gold.

6. Player Exclusives:

Player exclusives are always something to marvel, the sheer size of the shoe and the personalizing of a silhouette to a particular athlete. This year’s National Men’s Basketball team did not play around about their kick game and pulled out the heavy hitters which provided memorable and epic PEs. Everyone appeared to get in on the action.

5. Olympic Retros:

The Olympics was cause for celebration, celebration of 20 years of international basketball excellence. Nike and Jordan Brand brought forth a total of six retros from four different Olympic games (1992-2004)…including; the Nike BB4 Shox, Nike Air Force 180, Nike Air More Uptempo, Nike Air Huarache 2k4, Air Jordan 6 and Air Jordan 7.

4. New Kids on the Block:

Jordan Brand and Nike found space in the lineup of heavy hitting retros to come forth with some new releases inspired by the 2012 Summer Games. Ushering in a new era of innovation and silhouettes to continue to carry the torch and proving themselves worthy of the sporting Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty’s favorite color combination.

3. The Olympics is Where the World Comes Together:

The colors of the United States was worn and released proudly but other countries were able to get in on the patriotism, allowing others to represent their countries and colors proudly as well. Good call Nike.

2. Jordan Brand Likes to Give…to Chris Paul:

It was the gift that kept on giving as Chris Paul was the bearer of a gift that was given to him via Jordan Brand. A gold medal inspired Air Jordan 7 one-of-one. Replacing the traditional silver leather with golden leather, bringing together the highest honor of patriotism and international competition and the forever classic Air Jordan 7.

1. Bigger the Stage…Bigger the Debuts:

Last but not least on the list of things we’ve learned from Team USA and the 2012 Summer Olympics…the bigger the stage the bigger the debut. Chris Paul pulled out the Jordan CP3. VI but it was LeBron James who stole the show and capped off a remarkable summer with the debut of the Nike LeBron 10.