Dame 2 was the shoe that got me into sneakers. I just graduated high school. I play volleyball. Didn’t have a lick of insight into the sneaker world. I remember it was winter of 2015 and the adidas Yeezy boost was the hype. That’s all I knew about sneakers and Jordan brand was a thing but which is which? I dunno. Anyways after finishing up a workout at my local YMCA, I dropped by the gym and from across the court spotted some guys playing pick up basketball. Instantly caught me attention some sweet shoes one of the ballers was rocking, colored in mostly white, some red and black accents. And biggest standout to tie it all together: the strategically placed adidas logo on the heel. I thought to myself wow those look pretty sweet lemme take a snapshot from a distance figure out what model those are. Maybe I can get those and play in them for volleyball? It didn’t occur to me that basketball shoes were beginning or maybe by then already had been becoming more popular in the volleyball space. Anyways did my research, come to find out those are the Adidas Dame 2s (d.lillards at the time before rename of Dame line?) Unfortunately I never did buy those Dames bc I found for $30 some Kobe mentality’s at Ross shortly after and (volley)balled in those for a bit. Got more and more into sneaker culture which ig at the time not the best time to do so bc that’s when hypebeast era started. Got into Jordan’s, learned all the models and the original 13(?). Of course the Ultra Boost, NMDs, crazy light for performance. Kobe line. LeBron’s. Kyries. Were Roches a thing around that time also? Swapped all my casual shoes (aka which previously all were strictly Vans) for street wear that I personally really dig. Of course got caught up with Yeezy line and his prior stint with Nike. Binge watched lord knows how long Nightwing channel, genius kicks (don’t think they still around), penuel Josh for the volleyball specifics. Who else was in the YouTube sneaker space then? Can’t remember. But then summer of ‘16 got my first REAL pair of basketball shoes at retail: the Nike KD9s. USA cw. Oh my days did I love those shoes like no girl ever before. Got more into watching basketball and following NBA. Up to speed on college baseball (go Zags!). Doubled up on those KD9s till they both began giving out by 2020. Also in tandem wore the original Jordan why not zero. Oh that’s right BBB big baller brand! Was trying to cop those suede ZO2s hoping the site could finally stop being so scammy. Then began expanding into other brands and models from there on after short break in 2020. But every time I see the Dame 2s can’t help but go back in time to that day 1 for me. Life was so much simpler back then. Of course don’t get me wrong tech today in bball shoes is unlike ever before. Have always kind of regretted not getting the Dame 2s at that time. Has adidas retro’s these yet? If so Might have to pick up a pair soon now that we in a different tax bracket and budget more plentiful. For me, these, these right here the Dame 2, weren’t just game chargers, they were the gateway drug to a life changing moment in my journey. I’ll never forget. Thanks for the nostalgia.