Ahead of the Houston Rockets venturing into Milwaukee on Tuesday to face the Bucks, Adidas went and did something peculiar. In a local newspaper, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the sports brand giant took out a full-page with a message to Bucks fans and supporters, alike, who think James Harden isn’t MVP. With the Rockets in town, Adidas took out a full-page James Harden ad in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. “You’re free to think James Harden deserves to be MVP. Or that he doesn’t.” pic.twitter.com/vDxbFjKesM — Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) March 26, 2019 The root message of the newsletter isn’t actually an explanation as to why Harden is the MVP of this season. Actually, it’s nowhere close to that message, nor does it even mention Giannis Antetokounmpo, Harden’s primary competition for MVP. Instead, it simply states that you’re free to think Harden’s MVP or not, but it won’t change his style of play because, much like his style of play, he believes in “freedom.” It reads things like: “Why does James Harden draw so many fouls?” (Harden): “Because they’re there to be drawn. If you can pull an advantage out of thin air, doesn’t the feat justify the action? Feel free to disagree.” “Why does James Harden draw so many fouls?” (Harden): “Because they’re there to be drawn. If you can pull an advantage out of thin air, doesn’t the feat justify the action? Feel free to disagree.” Or the more titular excerpt of the piece: “The point is, whomever you vote for MVP, it won’t change James Harden. He feels free to play the game how he plays it. James Harden is free to be James Harden. And you are free to be you. He hopes you feel the same way. But understand if you don’t.” The ad appears to be the inaugural piece to Adidas’ #FreeToHarden campaign - a slight at those who don’t like his style of play. You’re free to think the league’s best player deserves his second MVP... Or not.#FreeToHarden @JHarden13 pic.twitter.com/jed976rETc — adidas Basketball (@adidasHoops) March 26, 2019 Harden also debuted this pretty dope hoodie ahead of the game, along with P.J. Tucker’s “I’m with the MVP” shirt. In a world where people dread putting themselves out there, it’s fun and bold for Adidas to leave themselves so susceptible to mockery, especially considering the Rockets lost that night. The Bucks’ Twitter account definitely had themselves some fun with it. It also isn’t the first time that Adidas’ basketball department got directly involved in campaigning (technically not campaigning this time) for one of their players. Last year, Donovan Mitchell donned the Rookie definition sweatshirt in his battle against Ben Simmons for Rookie of the Year. The summer before that, Adidas dropped an MVP colorway for Harden’s Vol. 1 sneaker, despite the fact that Russell Westbrook walked away with the trophy that year. Still, at the end of the day it’s just one massive sports conglomerate wanting to go head-to-head with another. Simmons and Antetokounmpo are both Nike signature athletes, with the latter athlete turning down Adidas’ advances the last time he was a sneaker free agent. Let’s all just hope it ages well for Adidas and, most importantly, Harden.<doc-sep>The ad is part of Adidas's "Free to Harden" campaign to push for the Rockets star to win another NBA MVP award. Reigning NBA MVP James Harden will face the Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo on Tuesday night and Adidas wants the city of Milwaukee to know that Houston's star guard is ready to battle for the award again. The shoe brand took out a full page ad in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on Tuesday to send a message to Bucks fans and those who think Antetokounmpo should win this season's MVP award. "A message regarding James Harden (which he understands you may not read)," the ad said. "You're free to think James Harden deserves to be MVP. Or that he doesn't. James Harden respects your freedom to decide. He's a free-thinking person. Which is good, because free-thinking leads to opportunities in life. And basketball." The ad goes on to ask why Harden draws so many fouls and answers "because they're there to be drawn" and says the guard doesn't care if you criticize his step-back. Adidas published the ad in the Milwaukee newspaper because Antetokounmpo is also a top candidate to win MVP this year. The Greek Freak has put up an impressive campaign averaging 27.4 points, 12.6 rebounds and six assists while leading the Bucks to a league-best 55–19 record. Harden leads the league in scoring this season with 36.4 points per game. The ad is part of Adidas's "Free to Harden" campaign to push for the guard to win a second straight MVP award. "The point is, whomever you vote for MVP, it won't change James Harden," the ad said. "He feels free to play the game how he plays it. James Harden is free to be James Harden. And you are free to be you." The Bucks and Rockets will face off on Tuesday night at Fiserv Forum at 8 p.m. ET.<doc-sep>The Houston Rockets lost to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night in a matchup between James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo that was so overly hyped up that neither player played particularly well. However, Adidas (the company to which Harden is signed) took out a full-page ad in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel about who should be MVP. With the Rockets in town, Adidas took out a full-page James Harden ad in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. “You’re free to think James Harden deserves to be MVP. Or that he doesn’t.” pic.twitter.com/vDxbFjKesM — Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) March 26, 2019 “You’re free to think James Harden deserves to be MVP. Or that he doesn’t,” the ad says. Harden also showed up in a pink hoodie with the same “FREE TO HARDEN” logo. A better version of the ad can be found here. Harden finished with 23 points (9-26 FG, 1-9 3PG), 10 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in the 108-94 loss. Antetokounmpo shot the ball a bit better and had 19 points (7-15 FG, 0-2 3PG), 14 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. What do you all think of this move by Adidas? And where on earth can we find that pink hoodie? !<doc-sep>
With the Rockets in Milwaukee to face the Bucks on Tuesday night and James Harden squaring off against his main competition for MVP – Giannis Antetokounmpo – Harden and Adidas sent a message to sports fans in Milwaukee. TEXAS SPORTS NATION: Rockets' Mike D'Antoni irked by arguments denigrating James Harden, MVP candidates Adidas purchased a full-page ad in Tuesday's edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that didn't recite Harden's impressive statistics, but instead, defended some of the more controversial aspects of the reigning MVP's game, including the stepback jumper and the penchant for drawing fouls. According to Adidas, the ad is the start of a new digital "Free to Harden" campaign, supporting the Rockets' star's drive for a second straight MVP award. NEWEST HARDENS: Adidas' day in the life of James Harden celebrates release of Harden Vol. 3 The ad in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reads: "A message regarding James Harden (which he understands you may not read). "You're free to think James Harden deserves to be MVP. Or that he doesn't. James Harden respects your freedom to decide. He's a free-thinking person. "Which is good, because free-thinking leads to opportunities in life. And basketball "Like: Why does James Harden draw so many fouls? "His reply: Because they're there to be drawn. If you can pull an advantage out of thin air, doesn't the feat justify the action? Feel free to disagree. "You're also free to be mad at James Harden's step-back. You're free to call it a travel and torch it on your podcast. Quick question though: If YOU could pull off that step-back wouldn't you do it? James Harden thinks you might. But he freely accepts you might not. "You're also free to think 'popularity' is a statistic that determines a player's value. We might just feel free to say: You're overthinking it. "The point is, whomever you vote for MVP, it won't change James Harden. He feels free to play the game how he plays it. James Harden is free to be James Harden. And you are free to be you. "He hopes you feel the same way. But understands if you don't."