Anthony Edwards Channels Michael Jordan with New Sneaker Ad

Anthony Edwards' new adidas sneaker promo is eerily similar to Michael Jordan's first Nike commercial.
Anthony Edwards Channels Michael Jordan with New Sneaker Ad
Anthony Edwards Channels Michael Jordan with New Sneaker Ad /

There is no shortage of signature sneaker lines in the NBA. Thanks to basketball and sneaker culture's international popularity, brands from all over the globe are competing for new customers on the hardwood every night of the season.

However, one of the most exciting signature sneaker launches this season has come from an unexpected place. The Minnesota Timberwolves have a star in Anthony Edwards, and his new hoop shoes are making waves in the basketball world.

In addition to performing at a high level on the court, Edwards possesses an undeniable level of magnetism. His confident demeanor, expressed through his Atlanta accent, leaves media and fans hanging on his every word. Look no further than his new ad campaigns with adidas.

In his latest video promo shared by the official adidas basketball social media account, Edwards boasts about his unreleased sneaker. The adidas AE 1 does not hit shelves until December 2023, but that does not stop Edwards from declaring, "I'm about to drop your favorite hoopers, favorite hoop shoe."

The direction and tone of the ad has drawn comparisons to another rising star's first sneaker commercial. Many fans immediately likened it to Michael Jordan's legendary sneaker commercial with Nike. The first installment of the Air Jordan signature line was banned on NBA courts due to the black and red colorway (an outdated rule that was later changed).

Nike immediately turned the negative into a positive, which only fueled the iconic basketball shoe. Of course, there are some major differences between the two videos. Jordan remained silent while the announcer did all the talking in his commercial.

Yet, like any work of art, if you glance and stare at it a certain way, you can see where the new art draws its inspiration. That can be said of Jordan's influence on the game as well as the sneaker industry.

Adidas and Edwards have had a lot of fun with the marketing of the unreleased hoop shoe, and there are no signs of either party taking their foot off the gas anytime soon. Stay locked into FanNationKicks.com for all your footwear news from the sports world.

Anthony Edwards Declares War on NBA Players' Sneakers


Published
Pat Benson
PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers the sneaker industry for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Previously, he has reported on the NBA, authored "Kobe Bryant's Sneaker History (1996-2020)," and interviewed some of the biggest names in the sports world. You can email him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.