Kicks and Colors: Lillard, Rose colorways honor Chinese New Year

Derrick Rose and Damian Lillard have new colorways on the market as part of Adidas’ celebration of Chinese New Year.

Kicks and Colors spotlights the variety of colorways—and the stories that go with—that brands’ unveil in key basketball sneakers.

Brand: Adidas

Sneaker: D Rose 6, D Lillard 2

Signature athlete: Derrick Rose and Damian Lillard

Colorway: Chinese New Year

Story: Welcome in the Year of the Monkey, sneaker style. Adidas unveiled its Chinese New Year colorway for the D Rose 6 and D Lillard 2 shoes, inspired by the “Fire Monkey,” the symbolic Chinese New Year emblem. The Lillard shoe has a fanged fire monkey graphic with a gloss finish. The all-black upper has nubuck and mesh with fire red and gold accents over a blue outsole. The Rose model features a fire red graphic printed on the back while the upper uses blue accents and small bits of gold. A custom Rose graphic is on the back of the tongue. The Rose model launches Jan. 15, followed by the Feb. 5 release of the Lillard shoe.

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courtesy Adidas

courtesy Adidas

Tim Newcomb covers stadiums, design and sneakers for Sports Illustrated. Follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb.