There are a lot of questions that arise with the selection of every USA Men's National Team for the Olympics, every incarnation of which are now universally known as Dream Teams: Who will start? Who will star? How much will they beat everyone by? And, perhaps most importantly, what will they wear?
That last is usually answered far in advance, as companies show off their latest greatest innovations, all the better to debut on a global stage. Nike has the Hyperdunk 2016, adidas has the Crazylight Boost 2016, Jordan has the Air Jordan XXX1. Marquee athletes, marquee shoes. It’s pretty simple.
But what if it wasn’t? What if, instead of a showcase for the newest shoes, each Dream Team paid homage to teams and players that came before? What if, instead of wearing whatever their companies told them to wear, each Dream Team player just wore whatever he wanted? Here’s our own Dream Team footwear dreams, followed by (sigh) what each player will likely wear in Rio.
Carmelo Anthony, Jordan Brand
Should wear: Jordan Melo 1.5 — His first signature shoe with Jordan, the Melo 1.5 was an updated performance shoe that combined elements of the Air Jordan 1 and 2. Melo wore them in his first Olympics back in 2004 (along with Olympic PE IIs and Olympic VIIs) as he mostly rode the bench during Team USA’s bronze-medal wakeup call. What better shoe to wear during what is likely his last Olympic appearance, one that will likely end with his third gold medal?
Will most likely wear: Air Jordan XXX1
Harrison Barnes, adidas
Should wear: adidas Crazy 8 — Like Kobe Bryant in 1998, Harrison Barnes is on the verge of a breakout season. Maybe he won’t become another Kobe Bryant—few do—but the 24-year-old Barnes is about to be blessed with a max contract, and, most likely, the chance to be the No. 1 guy on a team that will need him to become a star. After four years of winning in Golden State, it might be time to spread his wings somewhere else.
Will most likely wear: adidas Crazylight 2016
Jimmy Butler, Jordan Brand
Should wear: Jordan Air Jordan VII Olympic “Tinker Alternate” — While obviously it makes sense for Jordan Brand to outfit their athletes in the latest greatest—the Air Jordan XX1—the Olympics are also an easy source of nostalgia. Michael Jordan wore the Air Jordan VII “Olympic” in his 1992 run, so why not put Butler, fellow Bull, in the alternate Tinker Hatfield colorway that’s being produced for the first time this summer? Like Mike, Butler could wear VIIs to win gold.
Will most likely wear: Air Jordan XXX1
DeMarcus Cousins, Nike
Should wear: Nike Air Force 180 Low — Charles Barkley made his Olympic debut in 1992 with the Dream Team, having been one of the final cuts in 1984, and made the eight-year wait worth it. Not only was he the team’s leading scorer, he famously threw an elbow into an opposing Angolan’s chest in the very first game of the tournament. No one mixed pure skill and pure orneriness like Barkley then, and no one does it like DeMarcus Cousins now. Alabama represent.
Will most likely wear: Nike Hyperdunk 2016
DeMar DeRozan, Nike
Should wear: Nike Shox BB4 — Sixteen years ago this summer, a member of the Toronto Raptors by the name of Vince Carter welcomed in the new millennium by leaping clear over a seven-foot Frenchman, ending Frederic Weis’s NBA hopes and making him a household name at the same damn time. DeMar DeRozan may not be a Toronto Raptor for much longer—although he’d giving them the first shot at signing him—but in the meantime, he should pay homage to one of his heroes. Jumping over someone optional.
Will most likely wear: Nike Kobe 11 Elite
Kevin Durant, Nike
Should wear: Nike Zoom KD 9 — Kevin Durant will wear his latest signature shoe in Rio, as well he should. Durant actually said he’d debut the shoe in the Olympics, but apparently he couldn’t wait—he broke them out in the Western Conference Finals against the Warriors. Still, Rio will be the primary stage for the KD 9 and its all-new Flyknit upper. As it should be.
Will most likely wear: Nike Zoom KD 9
Paul George, Nike
Should wear: Nike Air More Uptempo — The last time Paul George wore a Team USA uniform he suffered a horrific broken leg that kept him out for the better part of a year, yet he still answered his country’s call when it came. The silky smooth forward has a game reminiscent of Scottie Pippen’s, so why not wear the “arrogant” (Pippen’s words) shoe that Pip himself wore in his second Olympics in 1996? George himself can be quiet, so let his game—and his shoes—speak loud.
Will most likely wear: Nike Hyperdunk 2016
Draymond Green, Nike
Should wear: Nike Zoom Soldier LeBron 10 — The wounds of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals loss must still be fresh, not yet healed into scars. Draymond Green should turn fully into the pain, and wear the same shoes that LeBron James did in the final three games of the Cleveland Cavaliers’s unprecedented comeback from 3-1. It’s the best way to recover. Plus, the three Velcro straps will add that extra oomph to his, uh, inadvertent ballkicks.
Will most likely wear: Nike Zoom Clear Out
Kyrie Irving, Nike
Should wear: Nike Kyrie 2 — Like there’s any way anyone could convince Kyrie Irving to wear anything else. The last time Kyrie wore a pair of Kyrie 2s on a basketball court he hit the shot that won Cleveland their first championship in 52 years—it’s hard to believe he’ll wear another pair of basketball sneakers ever, let alone in Rio. If he wins gold in them the same year he won an NBA title, maybe he won’t. (Looking back, it’s amazing Michael Jordan ever switched to the VIII.)
Will most likely wear: Nike Kyrie 2
DeAndre Jordan, Nike
Should wear: Nike Zoom LeBron Soldier 10 — DeAndre Jordan is an international basketball weapon of mass destruction, able to devastate on rolls to the basket and pluck balls off the rim with impunity. Playing alongside the likes of Anthony and Irving he should be absolutely terrifying. Jordan’s long laced up LeBrons in the L, so strapping up the current model makes the most sense. Which will likely happen regardless. Look out, world.
Will most likely wear: Nike Zoom LeBron Soldier 10
Kyle Lowry, adidas
Should wear: adidas D Lillard 2.0 Primeknit — It would have been cool to see Dame Lillard in the Olympics, but getting healthy for the 2016-17 season took precedent. There may be no colder shooter outside of Steph Curry, and with the shorter international three-point line he could have done severe damage to the rest of the world. So, if Lillard can’t go, at least his shoes can. Let Kyle Lowry lace up a pair, and maybe some of Dame’s three-point ability will transfer to the Raptors All-Star too.
Will most likely wear: adidas Crazylight Boost 2016
Klay Thompson, Anta
Should wear: Anta KT1 — Contractual obligations are fun!
Will most likely wear: Anta KT1