Peach has become a color synonymous with Anthony Edwards. Because under that backdrop, the Minnesota Timberwolves star launched the Adidas ‘Believe That’ Anthony Edwards 1 (AE1). “Your favorite hooper’s favorite hooper,” who victimized “the rim and several defenders” with his repeated offenses of a “vicious poster jam.” Edwards didn’t joke when he said those were the meanest shoes in the game. However, when Jordan Brand’s campaign with Jayson entered the show, the story took a new turn.

Speaking with Complex, Edwards revealed, “I didn’t even see it.” It’s not surprising to know that the 23-year-old point guard hasn’t seen JT’s campaign. “I don’t feel no type of way. He won a championship. Okay. Can’t do nothing but respect it. I mean, I feel like if they doing something to get back at us and we didn’t do none of them, that mean we doing something good. We don’t really give a f—. Whatever. It is what—good job,“ Ant expressed his feelings. Did he steer clear of any drama? Looks like it! But how did it start?

It all started when Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum found Michael Jordan to be his greatest cheerleader right after winning the 2024 NBA Finals. After all, JT was one of the many names under MJ’s Jordan Brand. The NBA legend posted an ad after the Celtics won the finals, celebrating his brand’s star’s first championship. But what was so special about the ad was that it showed a guy covering up an old billboard with a new ad featuring the phrase, “Don’t stop disbelieving.” Hold on! It isn’t just this.

Notice the little corner of the old billboard? It looks exactly like the peach color used on this billboard ad for Anthony Edwards’ Adidas sneakers. Also, the Jordan spot centers on the word disbelieving, which feels like a reference to AE’s “believe that” slogan. Just a coincidence?

But Ant-Man created an odd resonance, making the AE 1 social campaign feel like history was quietly circling back. The vibe was uncanny, almost as if the past had slipped into the present. What are the odds that Adidas borrowed a page from the legendary playbook of Michael Jordan and Spike Lee’s 1988 magic? The similarities spark curiosity, and the echoes are hard to ignore, leaving plenty to unpack next.

Anthony Edwards clarifies the air around AE 1’s inspiration

Back in the 1980s, Nike’s Spike and Mike campaign had Mars Blackmon grilling Michael Jordan on why he was unstoppable, only to get that unforgettable answer: “It’s gotta be the shoes!” That spark changed everything, and echoes still chase today’s game. Now, does that resonate with “Believe That”? Many people would say it does. Therefore, the question that arises here is, did Adidas take ideas from the Spike and Mike campaign? Did history play a role in reshaping the present with Anthony Edwards?

Miles Jackson-Cartwright, Manager of Global Brand Marketing at Adidas Basketball, has an explanation. Speaking with Complex, he shared, “Absolutely. Position your athlete as the icon that we think we are, that we think he is. Obviously, we had this belief in him. Essentially, what made that great was the camera, the athlete, product. That was the way we wanted to do it for him: keep it simple and allow him to have a stage to be himself. That was the same thing we were trying to channel. Do not necessarily repeat or copy anything, but just take that ethos. Exact.”

Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards said, “Yeah. For real. Ain’t no copycat. Original.” And well, Ant is already pushing for his first MVP in the upcoming season. Moreover, he averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists last season, and carried the Minnesota Timberwolves into their second consecutive Conference Finals. Sure thing, the results were the same as 2024, but you know, the grind is there when you see one.

Thus, Ant-Man has turned sneakers into storytelling. From the peach splash of AE1 to the whispers of Jordan Brand shade, every detail feels like basketball’s past and future dancing on the same court. Moreover, Edwards shrugs it all off with swagger while confidently calling himself original. In addition, Adidas backs it, fans feel it, and the grind proves it. Ultimately, the saga has only started, and we are here for more!