Katt Williams and adidas Take Shots at Converse and SGA in New AE 2 Commercial

Comedian Katt Williams is never afraid to say what’s on his mind. Sneaker brands, on the other hand, usually take a more measured approach. In a new commercial for Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards’ second signature shoe with adidas, the AE 2, adidas forgets the rules of decorum and goes straight for trash talk, just like Ant. Williams took the mic with the blessing of the Three Stripes to throw shots straight at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his new Converse Shai 001.

Stepping up to a mic in an empty room with a peachy background like previous adidas AE commercials, Williams starts into a soliloquy about Edwards’ greatness before getting sidetracked to talk smack about SGA and his new Converse shoe.

“Now I know what y’all gon’ say,” Williams says. “There’s a certain two guard not named Anthony Edwards who’s all the rage right now. I can’t deny it, he’s doing his thing. But he’s lucky his game is as smooth as his little poems, because them shoes? No, thank you. The game left that brand behind for a reason. What else we bringing back? Cigarettes in the locker room?”

The line hits like a truck in an industry that is not used to flagrant fouls in marketing, but with Edwards, adidas has always taken his lead, and as everyone knows, Edwards is a habitual line stepper and proud of it. Back when Ant and SGA faced off in the Western Conference Finals, Converse took shots at Edwards with a cheeky ad showing ants and a flip on the “Believe That” catchphrase. The new NBA season is just a couple of games deep, but this looks like their rivalry will play out both on the court and in sneaker commercials. Believe that.

Zach Harris

Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com