Damian Lillard Basketball Shoes

Damian Lillard has had an illustrious basketball career, from his early days at Weber State to becoming recognized as one of the 75 best players to ever play in the NBA. 

Damian Lillard has always been perceived as the underdog, having to overcome countless challenges throughout his career, which has molded Dame into an all-time great in basketball.

Over the years, Dame has molded not only a remarkable career but also some stylish and comfortable footwear. These shoes have improved over time, eventually ranking among the most popular Adidas models today. Learn more about Damian Lillard’s career and footwear below.

The History of Damian Lillard’s Career

Damian Lillard is an Oakland native, born and raised. He played for Weber State for four years, scoring 1,934 points in 103 games, and at the 2012 NBA Draft, he was selected as the sixth pick in the first round by the Portland Trailblazers. Dame became the Rookie of the Year, a 6-time NBA All-Star, and a 6-time All-NBA member.

During his time in the NBA, Dame has produced several outstanding performances, including 40 40-point and 12 50-point games. He is also one of only two players in NBA history to score three 60-point games in a single season, joining the legendary ranks of Wilt Chamberlain.

Other incredible performances put him on a nearly untouchable list alongside Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. The nickname “Dame Time” was established by being one of the most clutch players ever to play the game. Except for the Portland Trailblazers, he has made a crucial basket, whether it be the game-tying or the go-ahead basket.

Dame has been committed to spending his time in Portland and has worked hard to help the city win a championship, which has eluded him thus far in his career. We could go on and on about how great Damian Lillard is, but let's talk more about his shoes, specifically his partnership with Adidas.

The History of Damian Lillard’s Shoe Deal with Adidas

After only two seasons in the NBA, Damian Lillard signed an eight-year contract with Adidas worth $100 million. This deal was the third most expensive shoe endorsement at the time and could extend up to ten years. Dame joined the likes of LeBron James and Derrick Rose as the only NBA players with such a large deal.

Fortunately for Adidas, Dame continued to improve, ensuring their investment was safe. Lillard kept expanding on his early promise and developed into one of the greatest NBA players with the best marketability. Since this deal was announced, Damian Lillard has released many shoes for you to sink your feet into.

The Career of DAME D.O.L.L.A

Damian Lillard is one of the best players currently in the NBA, but did you know he was also the best rapper in the NBA? Damian Lillard is a multi-talented individual with an incredible lyrical prowess unheard of in the league. Dame has worked with many legends in the rap business, including Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Q-Tip, and more. 

Dame D.O.L.L.A, Damian Lillard’s rapper name, stands for Different On Levels the Lord Allows. Growing up in Oakland, music was equally as important as hoop dreams. In middle school, Dame honed his rapping skills in freestyle with his older cousins and AAU teammates. He views music as a way to unwind after his grueling basketball schedule.

Dame’s rap career started in 2016 with his debut project, “The Letter O,” representing Oakland and his jersey number in the NBA. This project peaked at 119 on the US Billboard 200. Dame continued his rap career, consistently improving, with the latest release being 2021’s “Different On Levels the Lord Allows.”

List of Damian's Shoes with Adidas List Dame 1-8 with Ratings

We have arrived at the list of Damian Lillard basketball shoes you were looking for. The following shoes will showcase the evolution of Dame shoes over the years. 

His logo, which combines Dame's initials to create "The Letter O," is displayed on the later pairs of shoes. This logo adopts the Adidas logo through a wing representing Dame’s group of close friends called the “Fly Guyz.”

Adidas D Lillard  Compared to his later shoes, the first pair of Adidas Damian Lillard shoes aren’t particularly noteworthy, but they're still very good shoes. The Adidas D Lillard are excellent lightweight shoes for everyday use. They are top-notch footwear that provides good traction and ankle support. However, the heel slippage and shaky lockdown reduce its usefulness on the court.

Adidas D Lillard 2  The Adidas D Lillard improves on some of the shortcomings of the previous shoe, adding excellent lockdown and traction support. The cushioning also makes these shoes very comfy. These shoes are affordable and meet practically every requirement of a great shoe.

Adidas D Lillard 3  Compared to the previous model in the series, the Adidas D Lillard 3 is also an improvement. These shoes can be worn by numerous foot types and are made with premium materials for total comfort. The Dame 3 is the epitome of style, affordability, style, comfort, and traction. This shoe is the first with the Dame logo and adds more uniqueness to its overall design.

Dame 4  The Damian Lillard shoes 4 has every feature needed to create a supportive shoe that fits perfectly. Your feet are kept secure by everything from the compression collar to the full-length Bounce midsole, which offers impact protection. This shoe is one of the best Dames basketball shoes of 2017, offering affordability and power when on the court. However, the previous shoe had a better look, and the outsole could feel too soft. The “A Bathing Ape Camo” is the best design out of them all.

Dame 5  The Damian Lillard shoes 5 is the next installment in the series that comes back with another unique design alongside its usual comfort. Ironically, the lockdown and ankle support of the Adidas Dame 5 help you take your opponent's ankles when on the court. You can choose your ideal colorway from the Dame 5’s huge selection.

Dame 6  If you want a solid shoe for the court, the Damian Lillard 6 shoes are the best fit. This shoe provides impact protection and optimal responsiveness, and its Lightstrike cushioning feels great when on the court. The shoe materials are also excellent at stabilizing and locking in the foot. Much like the Dame 5, this shoe also comes in various colorways to choose from.

Dame 7  The Damian Lillard 7 performs all the functions of these other shoes, from everyday comfort to on-court play. After breaking these shoes in, you'll fall in love with them. Additionally, this shoe has the best colorways of all the others. Damian Lillard collaborated with Ric Flair to design two incredible shoes based on Ric’s robes when in the WWE. Dame also has Damian Lillard Monster Inc. shoes and a Lego collab. Dame and the Adidas team went all out with these shoes, and best of all, they are affordable.

Dame 8  Finally, we have the latest release of Damian Lillard shoes, the Dame 8. This shoe performs well in all the key areas. These shoes feel great on the court and are springy and supportive. Since they are new, there aren't many colorways available yet, but the available colors are stylish.

Conclusion

There are many incredible Damian Lillard basketball shoes for you to consider. Each has unique colorways that will leave you ready to get them all. Follow in the footsteps of the Damian Lillard shoe size 16s and mark your own path with any of the shoes above.