Adidas is launching a new Damian Lillard shoe that appears to track the Oklahoma City Thunder. But Lillard said that was not his intention, nor was the design of the shoe his decision.
The shoe’s coloring has the blue and orange colors of Thunder, and the heel features Lillard’s statistical line from one of the most memorable games of his career: Game 5 of the 2019 NBA first round playoff series between Portland Trail Blazers and the Thunder.
During that game, Lillard scored 50 points and had seven rebounds and six assists. Lillard landed a three game win when time expired in Game 5 to give the Blazers a 118-115 win in games and series, then bid farewell to Thunder before being surrounded by teammates.
Many on social media reacted to the shoe by calling it the troll of the Thunder. However, Lillard said Sunday night that the shoe is merely a variation created by Adidas to honor its players’ 50-point games and that similar shoes will be launched for other Adidas players, such as James Harden and Derrick Rose.
“For mine, they chose the OKC game,” said Lillard after the 116-113 Trail Blazers victory over the New York Knicks.
Lillard said he did not make the choice.
“I think I had other games to choose from,” said Lillard. “I’m ready to let this moment go, that’s why I think I would like it to be a different game, because I don’t want it to go out because I’m just living in the moment two years ago. It was obviously a great moment, but it is what it is. “
– Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook).
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