While everyone is buzzing about Damian Lillard's next career chapter, here's a better look at the upcoming adidas Dame 8 EXTPLY.

The Dame signature line is only one of few basketball performance series left in the market to produce mid-lifecycle updates for the main models, known as EXTPLY. This can be closely compared to Nike's Elite models from back in the day.

Compared to the original adidas Dame 8, the EXTPLY version takes a heavy upper makeover to go in line with the latest adidas design language.

The adidas Dame 8 EXTPLY utilizes the same mesh tooling. However, it's been rebuilt to focus more on support and containment aspects, featuring a heavy-duty plastic center lace loop along with a rubberized midfoot strap. Also, on the back, we see the new "Three Stripe" graphic placement on both sides.

Like the last year's upgraded version, the Dame 8 EXTPLY keeps the original lower tooling with BOUNCE PRO cushioning and a wavy herringbone outsole pattern.

Adidas is still keeping the release date under a gate lock. It's really hard to speculate a potential timetable for the release since the Dame 7 EXTPLY debuted in the first half of 2021, which is more than two years ago.