Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards are bringing their battles on the hardwood to the marketing world. On Oct. 24, Adidas and Edwards fired shots at Gilgeous-Alexander and Converse.
Two days later, Gilgeous-Alexander clapped back at Edwards and Adidas with a response of his own.
Will the Marketing Battle Be Transferred to the Court?
Gilgeous-Alexander chuckled when a reporter asked him about Edwards’ commercial. The 2024-25 Most Valuable Player gave a thoughtful response with a hint of smugness hidden beneath it.
“He’s [Gilgeous-Alexander] doin’ his thing. But he’s lucky his game is as smooth as his lil poems, because them shoes? No thank you,” says Katt Williams in the advertisement.
“You talk about things that are hot and gonna get clicks to get clicks yourself. Doesn’t impact my sales if you guys can’t tell.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander responds to the recent Anthony Edwards adidas ad 👀 https://t.co/x51pl7lPCf pic.twitter.com/OTqLotwEXK
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) October 27, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander signed an endorsement deal with Converse in the 2020 offseason. The company extended him in April 2025, announcing the MVP as the Creative Director of Converse Basketball. Just two months later, Gilgeous-Alexander became an NBA Champion and took home Finals MVP.
It has been quite a lucrative year for the 11th pick in the 2018 NBA draft. He is certainly living up to three words in Edwards’ commercial. Williams acknowledges that Gilgeous-Alexander is “doin’ his thing.”
Edwards, like Gilgeous-Alexander, signed his endorsement deal in the summer of 2020. Adidas extended Edwards on a multi-year deal in 2024. Both superstars have been successful between the lines and off the court, making this rivalry even more anticipated for the 2025-26 season.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards Are Off To Incredible Starts
The Oklahoma City Thunder ended the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 2024-25 campaign in a five-game Western Conference Finals just months ago. Three of the five games resulted in Thunder blowout victories.
The commercial and last season’s playoff matchup take Edwards and Gilgeous-Alexander’s rivalry for this season to another level. Both stars have had incredible starts to the young campaign.
Gilgeous-Alexander averages a whopping 40.0 points and 14.7 free throws per game through three contests. He dropped 50 points in a double overtime victory in the second game of the season against the Indiana Pacers. Gilgeous-Alexander has the Thunder out to a 3-0 start, as they look to repeat as NBA Champions.
Edwards averages 25.7 points on three 3-pointers made per game. He scored 41 and 31 points, respectively, in the first two contests. However, after just three minutes against the Pacers, Minnesota’s star suffered a hamstring strain that will sideline him for two weeks.
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards will miss two weeks with a right hamstring strain, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/w1bULRERVP
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 27, 2025
The Thunder and Timberwolves first face each other on Nov. 26 in an NBA Cup affair. After their playoff matchup and marketing exchange, expect both stars to come into the contest with added motivation.