Anthony Edwards’ latest adidas campaign feels less like a traditional sneaker commercial and more like a stand-up routine with an NBA cast.
Promoting the new Anthony Edwards 3, Edwards took shots at LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and even new Minnesota Timberwolves teammate LaMelo Ball in the latest episode of adidas’ new “MINNATLANTASOTA” campaign, an episodic sketch series built around Edwards’ personality and signature shoe line. adidas says the show will continue throughout the season, with new episodes tied to the AE 3.
Edwards first turned his attention to James, joking about the veteran star’s decision to sign with Philadelphia instead of joining him in Minnesota.
“He was gonna join me in Minnesota, but I guess his knees couldn’t handle the cold weather,” Edwards joked.
Then came the second punchline.
“Philly got some of the best barbers in the world.”
That quickly became a joke about both James and Jaylen Brown, who is now also in Philadelphia.
“Between him and ol’ boy from Boston, they gonna have a whole lotta enhancements going on in the locker room.”
The reference was clearly aimed at their hairlines, with Edwards leaning into the kind of playful trash talk that has become central to his public persona.
Edwards was not finished.
He then shifted to Ball, his new backcourt partner in Minnesota, saying he was excited about their partnership but drawing one very specific boundary.
“They brought my twin to the Twin Cities. We’ve been working out together and doing all types of things. But one thing we ain’t doing is carpooling if he driving. I ain’t riding with him y’all.”
Anthony Edwards was trolling everybody in adidas’ new commercial for the Ant 3s😭
He joked that LeBron chose Philly over Minnesota because “his knees couldn’t handle the cold weather,” took a shot at LeBron and Jaylen Brown’s hair enhancements, and even said he’s not carpooling…
— NBARetweet (@RTNBA) September 17, 2026
The line was another example of Edwards turning real NBA storylines into comedy material, and it fit perfectly with adidas’ decision to make his personality the centerpiece of the campaign rather than forcing him into a conventional scripted endorsement.
That strategy has become one of the most recognizable parts of Edwards’ rise as a signature athlete.
adidas officially introduced the Anthony Edwards 3 earlier this week, with the first “Cold Blooded” colorway scheduled to release on September 18 for $130. The company says the shoe was designed around Edwards’ explosive playing style and will be supported by the season-long “MINNATLANTASOTA” series.
