LeBron James Brushes Off Anthony Edwards’ Diss in Adidas Ad

LeBron James had a straightforward response to Anthony Edwards’ latest advertising shots: He said he does not watch the competition’s commercials.

During an episode of “Mind the Game,” James addressed Edwards’ jokes in an Adidas campaign by directing his response toward the shoe company behind them.

“I love Ant to death but I don’t watch sh*t from the stripes. I just don’t,” James said.

The remark referenced Adidas’ three-stripe branding and gave James a way to answer the Minnesota Timberwolves star while reinforcing his own connection to Nike.

It also supplied the exchange with a clear distinction. James expressed affection for Edwards in the same sentence that he dismissed content from Edwards’ shoe sponsor.

Edwards’ Adidas commercial included jokes about James’ hair, age and knees, making the veteran star one of the targets of the campaign.

That approach fits the confrontational personality Edwards brings to his advertising. Calling out established stars creates an immediate talking point, particularly when the subject is someone with James’ profile.

James’ answer gave the campaign another round of attention. His reference to “the stripes” was brief enough to circulate on its own, while the mention of Edwards kept the response connected to the player delivering the jokes.

The exchange also shows how sneaker competition can provide another setting for NBA personalities to interact. The products are part of the conversation, but the players’ willingness to tease one another helps make the advertising memorable.

James did not need a lengthy rebuttal to generate a response. His stated refusal to watch Adidas material became the joke, with his loyalty to a competing brand providing the explanation.

James and Edwards have a relationship beyond their meetings as NBA opponents. They were teammates on the United States squad that won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

That shared experience provides context for James’ opening words about Edwards. His expression of affection should remain part of any assessment of the exchange, even if the dismissal of Adidas attracts more attention.

The remark alone does not establish a personal dispute between the two. It shows James responding to a commercial while explicitly saying he loves the player featured in it.

For Edwards, the advertising continues to put his personality alongside his signature footwear. For James, the response lets him participate in the banter while keeping his own brand allegiance clear.

Whether either player adds another comment remains to be seen. The available response is already direct: James acknowledged Edwards, stated his affection for him and dismissed the sponsor’s content.

The most telling part may be how little separation James needed between those points. He could compliment Edwards and take a shot at Adidas in a single sentence.