Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has a lot of personality. So when Edwards comes across well in front of the camera, it shouldn’t necessarily come as a surprise.
But his new ad for Adidas still found a way to shock some. In the ad, Edwards hosts a mock late-night talk show called “Minnatlantasota.” Keeping to that format, Edwards opens the ad by giving a typical, late-night monologue and telling jokes to a — in this instance — fake audience.
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This isn’t your typical safe ad, however. Edwards actually went for it with his jokes, taking shots at new Philadelphia 76ers LeBron James and Jaylen Brown and poking fun at New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson.
Here’s what Edwards had to say about Brown and James:
“Speaking of old school, you see where big dog ended up? He was gonna join me in Minnesota, but I guess his knees couldn’t handle the cold weather.
“It’s cool, though. We know why he really made that decision. Philly’s got the best barbers in the world. Between him and the old boy from Boston, they gonna have a whole lot of enhancements going on in the locker room
“I’m just playing, y’all.”
Using some fairly obvious context clues, “big dog” is James and “the old boy from Boston” is Brown.
Later on, Edwards poked fun at Brunson, noting that Brunson’s father — Rick — is a coach with the Knicks.
“Shoutout to my boy for winning the ‘chip, though. I ain’t gonna lie, I’m going to be there soon, y’all. Just wait on it …
“If you on the court against me, anybody can get it. Even your daddy. I don’t care if he’s your assistant coach.”
Near the end of the commercial, Edwards calls out an unknown player, saying, “When I lace these up, it’s over for all y’all, especially you know who.” Edwards then stares straight into the camera, not cracking a smile. Whomever he called out, he meant it.
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His own teammates weren’t off limits either, as Edwards said he wasn’t carpooling with LaMelo Ball, a nod to Ball being involved in a car crash in February.
The ad was done in promotion for Edwards’ newest signature shoe, the Anthony Edwards 3. The shoes go on sale Friday.
Given the subject matter in the commercial, Edwards might receive some blowback from those called out. But Edwards has always been willing to be authentic, no matter the consequences.
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