Anthony Edwards Takes a Shot at Michael Jordan Brand and More as Upcoming Drop Triggers Rivalry

Antman is not done riling up Jordan fans anytime soon. This time he’s waging a sneaker war. A few months ago, Anthony Edwards’ partnership with Adidas was already threatening Nike and Air Jordan with its hype. Now Adidas has come up with some noise for Ant’s signature shoe, AE1’s new colorway, which clashes with the classic — the retro-release, a new version of the Air Jordan 4. Unlike the Jordan Brand’s understated drop, Adidas has pulled out all stops, taking Ant’s bold approach to strike a nerve or two.

Though the dates are yet to be announced, Edwards’ next release has already been given a glimpse of. That too, as the Air Jordan 4 GS ‘Pure Platinum’ release is lined up and just ahead of speculation that the ‘banned Air Jordans’ will make a comeback. The comparisons are inevitable and Adidas is making the most it.

Edwards’ comments on yesteryear NBA superstars has overshadowed the comparisons to Michael Jordan recently. Adidas is riding the buzz he’s created in a dramatic ad campaign that just dropped for the never-before-seen colorway. It adorns the familiar two-toned color-blocking, with a black interior and a metallic peach/copper outer shell. Debuting the shoes, the AE1 namesake is taking an interesting lie detector test in the ad.

The polygraph test administrator asked a series of questions and Edwards’ answers barely moved the needle. At one point, he was asked, “Are the AE1s the best shoe in the game,” and Ant answered, “No question.” No lie detected there, and it wasn’t even the tougher question.

It sounds like a shot right at Nike and Air Jordan, their biggest competition. The AE1 mid and low versions recently were a huge hit in the sneaker community. Like both their namesakes, the AE1 and Air Jordans were compared directly. Adidas, that’s been in a slump lately, is facing a revival since signing the Timberwolves’ breakout star and is becoming a stiff competition to Air Jordan.

Come the release, it would be interesting to see the competition play out as Air Jordan’s festive offering drops. The new AJ4s come in a ‘pure platinum’ colorway, metallic gold Jumpman logos, and contrasting black details. They will be available online and in select retail locations for $160. But the competitive factor isn’t limited here.

Ant takes on the sneaker giants

High on his Olympic debut this summer, Anthony Edwards made a statement that had ’90s basketball fans clutching their pearls. He claimed that no one apart from Michael Jordan had skills back then. It was unflattering for everyone not His Airness, and sparked backlash, especially from retired veterans.

And he’s done it again. Edwards was recently asked how he’d do in the ’90s NBA. He claimed, “I would’ve been the guy that could match up with MJ,” Edwards said. “That would have been me. I would’ve been that guy that would’ve been guarding him, scoring back on him.”

As the Minnesota Timberwolves prep for their season opener, Anthony Edwards is showing serious confidence. He claims he can compete with MJ on the court while he’s definitely competing with him in the sneaker business. Jordan fans will call it wishful thinking, but as Adidas and Ant said, “believe that.“