Damian Lillard has built a huge off-court following NMD R2 thanks to his huge social media presence which includes #4BarFriday and his signature shoe that anyone can afford at launch. The D Lillard 2 has a lot to live up to.Primeknit and Boost is all the sneaker I need in this world, kid (at the moment). This is the promise of the adidas-Kanye partnership and we hope to see them improve upon this in the future. I could do without the Kanye name so the price can drop a few bucks and be made in larger quantities if that s cool with you.

Nike has history on their side. Yeah, brands like adidas have NMD XR1 been around longer and Under Armour is doing everything they can to move up the ladder, but for the past 40 something years, the swoosh has owned pop culture. Look back at the images and films that NMD BLACK defined the  80s and  90s and more often than not, you will see Nike on the feet of your favorite celebrities and athletes and even yourself.

Nostalgia is strong for Nike products and that s why they dominate the retro game like no other brand and it s also why we hate them when they screw up our classics. In 2015, Nike made a more concerned (or if you re totally cynical, put NEW ADIDAS NMD some) effort into making sure their most iconic silhouettes are as true to the original as possible. If you have any doubts about how Nike fared this year with their remastered effort, this #KoFBestOf2015 award for best OG sneaker reissue was open to all brands but the swoosh walked away with a clean sweep.

Ultimately, the Ultra Boost s versatility (they re designed for running!) was what put it over the edge. Kanye played a big role in increasing adidas profile in 2015, but it was the Boost that kept them coming back for more (because you know, it s not like most people could buy even one pair of Yeezys let alone two).Years from now, sneakerheads will be talking about MENS NMD the amazing year adidas had with the Ultra Boosts and the Yeezys.

Since he s just a hop-step away from adidas HQ, Damian Lillard has the ability to do just about anything with the three stripes. You see it with kicks like the PDX or the Lumberjack colorway; the partnership is willing to tap into not only Lillard s life, but also the eccentricities of the place that both athlete and brand inhabit. In a world where social media and instant access makes where an athlete calls home less and less relevant, magic can still be made when you re local.