If you've watched even a single quarter of NBA action thus far, you've likely been lambasted with Adidas "Fast Don't Lie" ads featuring Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard. I couldn't help but notice a pretty significant difference between the two.
Ken Jeong, aka Slim Chin, dripping head to toe in gold, plays pretty much the same character he has in all of his movies. Meanwhile, Howard gets one good line, "Beast from the regular East," and a piano-laced sing-song excerpt at the end.
What does Rose get? A crossover dribble and a smile.
Howard's Commercial
Rose's Commercial
It's feels like the folks at Adidas were worried that Rose would mess the entire commercial up if he so much as uttered a word. I'll be the first to admit that Rose isn't a good public speaker. Would it be advantageous to give him a large speaking part? Probably not.
But c'mon, they could have given him ONE good line like they did for Howard. In fact, Rose is more than capable of carrying a commercial, as he did in this NBA 2K11 commercial that was widely circulated over the internet but didn't get too much TV time.
Rose carried that commercial. Every funny moment can be attributed to him. Rondo would have never dressed up in an apron, Josh Smith would have probably eaten the decedent desserts he was cooking, but what's Iggy and Westbrook's excuse?
Given the right lines, Rose can be funny, Adidas just has to let him. Stop perpetuating the myth that Dwight Howard is funny. He's a good natured athlete who jokes around and smiles a lot, but he's not funny.
Adidas would benefit from giving Rose the floor. They have to ask themselves, would they rather have one of the best young point guards in the NBA as the face of his OWN shoe, or the guy who is best remembered from leaping out of a trunk naked in The Hangover?
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