Converse Decided To Be Extremely Petty And Wasted No Time Taking Their Shots At Anthony Edwards

Matthew Stockman. Getty Images.

Perhaps it's because in my previous life before blogging I worked in advertising for nearly 10 years, maybe it's because I grew up in a generation with incredible marketing/creative from brands like Gatorade, Nike, Budweiser, Jordan Brand etc, but I've always had an appreciation for great sports commercials/campaigns. When done right, there are few things better in terms of the marketing world. I mean, try to tell me something like this doesn't completely rule

What I think we as sports fans also love is when players/brands are petty. Why not? If you win, talk your shit. That's how sports work. If you can find a way to do that in a creative fashion? Even better. 

Coming off the Thunders complete ass kicking of the Timberwolves to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012 with SGA winning the WCF MVP, that's exactly what we got from Converse (SGA's shoe)

Just like you have no choice but to tip your cap to the Thunder for their historically dominant season, you also have no choice but to tip your cap to Converse here. That's a 10 out of 10 ad/way to talk shit if you ask me. Short, simple, to the point, and exactly what you should be doing as Converse in this situation. I'll take a little SGA vs Ant beef mixed in with some Converse vs Adidas haymakers. It felt like people sort of clowned SGA for signing with Converse, but who's laughing now? My guess is they probably don't move the same volume of shoes compared to what Adidas moves with Ant, but whatever. That's not the point here. The point is this is the perfect way to creatively talk shit.

If there's one thing Ant is known for, it's talking shit. He's as elite as it gets when it comes to talking shit on and off the court. Eventually, he's going to have to…ya know….back that up, but it's a part of his game that everyone should embrace and want more of. Talking shit in sports is good. At the same time, it also opens you up for shots like this. Let's also not forget what took place in Game 1 of this series, where Ant did his best to try and punk SGA. Unfortunately, he poked the wrong bear. Sometimes that happens in the playoffs

Adam Glanzman. Getty Images.

So right off the bat, Converse opening with an ant like that was a fantastic move. The final scene with the Converse shoe print stepping on the ant hill? Mocking Edwards' famous "believe that" line?? A+. Look, hate SGA's style of play all you want, but this is good shit. The visuals, the implication, the ending, this is the type of ad/marketing that brings you back to the golden era of sports marketing. 

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I'm sure some upset Wolves fans will try and clown Converse for this move, considering the entire ad features an ant and has zero visuals of SGA's actual shoe, but not me. I have no dog in this fight and am someone who just appreciates good shit talking combined with great creative. The point is to go viral and spread brand awareness right? Well, this might be the most traction Converse has ever gotten on any basketball-related ad, perhaps ever. 

This is all part of the spoils when you win. You can talk whatever shit you want and the rest of the world can't do shit about it other than take it on the chin. It's why sports are the best, and it's why winning is the best. If you don't like it, go out and do it yourself.