Adidas has unveiled the D Lillard 2, set to drop in January, with a limited release later this month. Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard said his childhood in Oakland, Calif., inspired the shoe.
Lillard learned the game in his grandmother’s front yard, where he played with a milk crate nailed to a telephone pole.
“My experiences growing up allow me to see things differently,” he said. “I went to a small school, and nobody knew who I was until my last season, so the critics aren’t important. There are going to be times when you’re the only person who believes in something you want, and you got to stick to that.”
The D Lillard 2 is offered in two colorways — Rip City and Road. Both have features that symbolize Oakland and Lillard’s youth. The word Oakland is split between the right and left shoe, as well as Brookfield, Lillard’s old neighborhood. Lillard’s grandmother’s nickname, Suga Gee, is on the shoe’s heel.
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“Signature details: I wanted it to have more hints of my background,” he said. “I still wanted it to be a stylish shoe, to be worn off the court again. Being in Portland makes it easy to get my ideas, meet with designers and create something special for fans.”
Brian Foresta, vice president of global design for Adidas basketball, said Lillard’s sharing Adidas’ home in Portland has created a unique opportunity.
“Dame is pushing the game to another level each time he steps out on the court,” he said. “He’s the leader in Portland now, and it’s a testament to where he came from.”
Lillard’s first signature shoe has been offered in several iterations since its release in Feburary 2015, including the PDX Carpet Edition, an homage to the iconic teal carpet at Portland International Airport, and the Forestry edition, a nod to the city’s heritage.
Lillard’s signature shoe made its debut just three years after he was selected by the Trail Blazers and went on to win Rookie of the Year in the 2012-2013 season.
The D Lillard 2 retails for $105. The Rip City colorway drops on Jan. 22, and the Road color way hits on Feb. 5, with a limited release of that color on Dec. 26 on Adidas.com, Eastbay and Foot Locker.
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