Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards launched a new ad campaign on Thursday as part of the launch of his new adidas AE 3 shoes. Acting as the host of the comedy series “MINNATLANTASOTA,” nobody was safe as he made fun of the hairlines of Philadelphia 76ers stars Jaylen Brown and LeBron James, New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson and his father and assistant coach Rick Brunson, and even the driving habits of his new teammate LaMelo Ball.
"We know why he really made that decision. Philly got some of the best barbers in the world. Between him and ol' boy from Boston, they gonna have a lotta enhancements going on in the locker room," Edwards said.
"If you the court against me, anybody can get it. Even your daddy. I don't care if he your assistant coach," Edwards said.
“I’m excited about my new road dog,” Edwards said of Ball. “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’s driving. I ain’t riding with him, y’all.”
With Edwards firing zingers like jump shots, it’s appropriate that the debut colorway of his new shoe is called “Cold Blooded.” But the jokes may end once Edwards steps on the court, as he has plenty of motivation to come for everyone this season.
Anthony Edwards has 301 million (and more) reasons to go on a revenge tour
Edwards is entering his seventh season in the NBA, and it may be his most important. At 25 years old, Edwards is not only the Timberwolves’ best player, but he’s becoming their leader. The evidence has been seen all offseason as he’s been working out with Ball after he was acquired from the Charlotte Hornets and also set up a team trip to Paris to work out in Rudy Gobert’s home country.
The recruitment of Jonathan Kuminga and the emphasis on the defensive end of the floor is another way that Edwards is taking ownership, and he has plenty of incentive to do so.
The biggest is financial motivation, as Edwards could be playing for a supermax contract. After missing the All-NBA team after playing in a career-low 61 games last year, Edwards can make up for it by either making the team this year or winning a major individual award such as MVP that would make him eligible for a four-year, $301 million deal next summer.
If 301 million reasons aren't enough to get Edwards to the next level, his reputation across the NBA could be another. Timberwolves fans know Edwards is a star, but he’s been passed over by back-to-back reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs.
FanDuel Sportsbook also added to the disrespect as Edwards is sixth in MVP odds (+165), trailing Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Wembanyama, Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Miami Heat.
If the national landscape only remembers Edwards when they want to construct a mock trade to a bigger market, there’s a good chance he will look to prove him wrong, and the offseason has set him up perfectly for the ultimate revenge tour.
Anthony Edwards is the key to the TImberwolves’ success
The Wolves have done their part by surrounding Edwards with more dynamic talent than he had a year ago. The addition of Ball gives defenses a legitimate secondary threat that they have to worry about, and Kuminga’s arrival gives a player who can run the court and potentially help out on the glass.
With Jaden McDaniels potentially having a larger role in the offense and Rudy Gobert still manning the middle, Minnesota should improve this season. But all of the changes won’t matter if the Wolves don’t get the absolute best version of Edwards.
For what it’s worth, Edwards has been aggressive this offseason to the point of playfully threatening to rip James’ head off for spurning the Timberwolves in free agency, and there’s a good chance he brings that to the court.
While it’s just an ad campaign, Edwards’ jokes make it seem like he’s willing to do just that, and nobody is safe if he follows through on his words.
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