LeBron James had a simple response when Anthony Edwards mocked his age and knees in an Adidas commercial: The joke did not make much sense once James chose Philadelphia over Minnesota. The 41-year-old NBA star addressed the playful jab on his Mind the Game podcast with Steve Nash on Oct. 13, 2026.
Edwards, the Minnesota Timberwolves guard, used a comedy-style advertisement promoting his Anthony Edwards 3 signature sneakers to poke fun at several NBA players. James became one of his targets after choosing the Philadelphia 76ers during the offseason.
James laughed off the joke while questioning the commercial’s script. He also made clear that he had not watched the original advertisement, saying he avoids content from Adidas, a rival to his longtime sponsor, Nike. His response added another chapter to the NBA’s mix of basketball rivalries, sneaker marketing and superstar personalities.
LeBron James responds to Edwards’ joke
During the latest episode of Mind the Game, Nash asked James about Edwards’ commercial and the jokes aimed at him. James laughed before explaining that he had not watched the spot himself.
“First of all, I didn’t watch the spot, because I don’t watch anything from the stripes,” James said, referring indirectly to Adidas. He added that he loved Edwards but did not follow the brand’s promotional content.
James then acknowledged seeing headlines about the joke. He recalled the line about being too old and not wanting his knees to get cold, before pointing out that Philadelphia also experiences cold weather. The exchange remained lighthearted rather than confrontational.
Anthony Edwards mocked James’ age and free-agency decision
The commercial, released by Adidas in September, featured Edwards hosting a fictional late-night-style comedy show called “Minnatlantasota.” The production promoted his Anthony Edwards 3 shoes while allowing him to joke about fellow NBA stars.
Edwards referenced James’ decision to join Philadelphia instead of Minnesota. “He was going to join me in Minnesota, but I guess his knees couldn’t handle the cold weather,” Edwards said in the advertisement, according to Sports Illustrated.
The joke played on James’ age and the physical demands of a long NBA career. Edwards, who is 25, contrasted his own stage of development with James’ experience, using humor to promote his signature shoe rather than making a serious basketball argument.
James turned the cold-weather joke around
James’ response focused on the weakness he saw in the punchline. If cold weather was the reason he supposedly avoided Minnesota, he joked, Philadelphia was not exactly a warm-weather destination either.
The remark allowed James to answer without escalating the exchange. Rather than launching into a personal attack, he treated the commercial as scripted entertainment and suggested the joke could have been written more carefully.
Nash joined in, suggesting the line needed editing. James agreed, saying Edwards had simply read from a teleprompter. The exchange framed the advertisement as a marketing production, not necessarily a sign of tension between the two players.
Adidas used the commercial to promote Edwards’ signature shoe
The advertisement was designed to generate interest in the Anthony Edwards 3, the latest entry in the Timberwolves star’s signature footwear line. Its comedy format gave the campaign a different feel from a conventional performance-focused sneaker commercial.
Edwards has developed a public image built around confidence, humor and an energetic playing style. The ad used that personality to create a fictional show, with jokes aimed at multiple players rather than concentrating exclusively on James.
Sneaker campaigns often rely on recognizable athletes and memorable storytelling to capture attention. In this case, the roast format helped the commercial travel beyond footwear audiences and into NBA news coverage, where the players’ responses became part of the conversation.
Jaylen Brown and other NBA stars also became targets
James was not the only player Edwards teased in the advertisement. Philadelphia 76ers star Jaylen Brown was also referenced, while New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and Edwards’ new Minnesota teammate LaMelo Ball were among the other players mentioned in the sketch.
The jokes touched on recognizable NBA storylines and the players’ public profiles. By including several players, the commercial presented itself as a comedy routine rather than a direct challenge aimed solely at James.
Brown later reacted to the advertisement while watching it during a livestream with 76ers teammate VJ Edgecombe. The responses illustrated how a single promotional video can spark several separate exchanges among players, teammates and fans.
James and Edwards have shared the court for Team USA
Despite the playful jab, James and Edwards have a connection beyond their NBA careers. They played together on the United States men’s basketball team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the Americans won the gold medal.
Their time together placed them on the same side of the court during a major international tournament. James brought decades of experience, while Edwards represented a younger generation of American basketball talent.
That background helps explain why James’ response sounded more amused than angry. He explicitly said he loved Edwards, signaling that he did not view the commercial as a serious personal insult. The public exchange has not established any broader rift between the players.
Nike loyalty played a role in James’ response
James’ reference to Adidas as “the stripes” reflected his long-standing relationship with Nike. He has been associated with the brand since entering the NBA, and his signature basketball shoes have become a major part of his commercial identity.
James signed with Nike in 2003, before playing his first NBA game. His partnership eventually produced a signature footwear line and a long-running commercial relationship that extends well beyond individual seasons.
That background helps explain why he said he does not watch Adidas content. His remark was not simply about Edwards’ joke; it also highlighted the brand rivalry surrounding two prominent NBA signature athletes and their respective footwear companies.
Fun fact: LeBron James was only 18 when he signed his first major Nike sneaker deal in 2003, reportedly worth $87 million over 7 years.
The exchange shows how NBA marketing extends beyond the court
The episode illustrates how athlete marketing can create conversation outside basketball games. Edwards’ advertisement relied on humor and recognizable names, while James’ podcast response gave the campaign a second wave of attention.
That attention does not automatically translate into sales or prove the advertisement’s commercial success. However, the back-and-forth demonstrates how athletes’ public comments can become part of a promotional cycle, especially when established stars and younger players are involved.
For now, both players remain focused on their own careers. James’ comments suggest he is not taking the roast personally, while Edwards’ commercial continues to serve its original purpose of promoting his signature shoe. Their next meeting on the court will provide a different setting for the rivalry.
TL;DR
- LeBron James responded to Anthony Edwards’ jokes about his age and knees in an Adidas commercial.
- Edwards used the roast-style advertisement to promote his Anthony Edwards 3 signature shoe.
- James joked that Philadelphia is not exactly warmer than Minnesota and said Edwards was reading from a teleprompter.
- The players previously teamed up for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- James’ long-standing Nike partnership added a brand-rivalry angle to the exchange.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
