Adidas Really Brought Ice-T and Veda Howard to Look for Anthony Edwards ‘Evidence’

The Minnesota Timberwolves took a 2-1 series lead over the Los Angeles Lakers Friday in the first round of the NBA playoffs and although the game didn’t take place in Hollywood, the stars were out in Minneapolis. Sitting courtside at the Target Center were none other than Ice-T and Veda Howard, both of whom were in character for their roles as detectives in Adidas’ Anthony Edwards “Man Down” sneaker commercials.

Clad in black suits and carrying “evidence” bags, Ice-T and Howard turned their satirical Adidas AE 1 advertisements into a real-life activation. 

Playing up Edwards’ rim-rattling, defense-deflating dunks, the pair were seeking a person of interest described as “your favorite hooper’s favorite hooper” who had victimized “the rim and several defenders” with his repeated offenses of a “vicious poster jam.” And the evidence found on the scenes? None other than “the meanest shoe in the game.”

Along with Ice-T and Howards’ in-person appearances, Adidas built a “Man Down” installation in the Target Center’s concourse which allowed fans to dive deep into the crime-inspired theme of the campaign. There were photo ops with props, Anthony Edwards 1 Low “Tie Dye” sneakers and T-shirts for sale and even a smattering of Edwards’ own handprints. Howard and Ice-T also made a surprise appearance at the activation. 

Riffing off of Ice-T’s detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola role on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” Adidas introduced the character to Edwards’ commercials in February. Using the now-signature peach-colored backdrop featured in Adidas’ “Believe That” Anthony Edwards 1 campaign, the clips make light of Edwards’ tendency to repeatedly humble defenders with his acrobatic dunks. 

The Lakers and Wolves will meet again in Minnesota for Game 4 Sunday at 3:30 pm ET. There’s no word yet if Ice-T and Howard will be in attendance, but fans shouldn’t be surprised if Adidas has some more tricks up its sleeve.