LeBron James Reacts to Anthony Edwards’ Comments While Taking a Shot at Nike’s Rival

Adidas branded Anthony Edwards "The King Slayer" after the Timberwolves kicked out LeBron James' Lakers from the 2025 playoffs. So it is fitting that James now says he skipped Edwards' newest Adidas spot altogether.

The Sixers forward still had plenty to say about it. He just made sure everyone knew where he stood on watching it. Asked about the ad to promote Edwards' AE 3 "Cold Blooded," James said.

"First of all, I did not watch the spot, because I don't watch anything from the stripes," James said on his "Mind The Game" podcast. "Love Ant to death, but I don't watch [expletive] from the stripes. I just don't."

He did not stop there, and his explanation made the whole thing funnier. "I don't even know what he actually said. And obviously you can see some of the headlines. I think I said like, he's too old, he ain't want his knees to be cold. But then I was like, but I went to Philly, Ant. Right? Now my knees want to be warmer in Philly. He just read off the teleprompter."

The joke comes from the commercial, a late-night-show sketch called "Minnatlantasota." Edwards, playing host, said James was going to join him in Minnesota but "his knees couldn't handle the cold weather."

The line was a jab at James' free-agency decision. He signed with Philadelphia and picked the Sixers over several suitors, including the Wolves.

The ad never names James, but nobody had trouble working it out. It also took shots at Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson and new Wolves teammate LaMelo Ball.

James' "stripes" comment fits his own brand loyalty too, since he has been tied to Nike through a long-running lifetime deal. Skipping an Adidas spot is as much allegiance as it is shade. Still, the real question is how Edwards plans to answer.

Edwards Told LeBron to Expect a Brutal Welcome, and March 13 Is Circled

Edwards has had his reply ready for months. Per The Athletic, as reported by Sports Illustrated, James asked Edwards during free agency what would happen if he signed anywhere other than Minnesota. Edwards reportedly said it would be fine, because it meant he could go after James on the court when the teams met.

After the ad went out, Edwards reposted it on X with a single word: "Yesthur."

The date is already on the calendar. James, Brown and the Sixers make their lone trip to Target Center on March 13, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Before that, James opens his Philadelphia career Oct. 20 at Madison Square Garden against the defending champion Knicks. Edwards and Ball then make their Wolves debut together the next night.

James claims he never watched a second of the ad, and Edwards clearly wants him to feel every second of it. Whether the knees line stays a joke or becomes a bit of motivation for either side will be settled on the floor.