AND 1's TV spot featuring Knicks G Latrell Sprewell
claiming to represent the American Dream is "almost as
insulting as Sprewell trying to choke his coach," according
to John Rowe of the Bergen RECORD (5/16). In Rochester, Bob
Matthews writes, "It will be tough to top this one for
Scariest Sports TV Commercial of the Year. ... Sounds more
like a nightmare than a dream" (DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 5/17).
In Tampa, David Whitley wrote that AND 1 "figures the best
way to the public's wallet is through its stomach. And 1
wants to make them churn. ... [The ad] strikes the full
gangsta pose, with all the unfortunate racial undertones."
More Whitley, to AND 1: "Please take any profit you get and
buy yourself a conscience" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 5/16). In
Albany, Steve Campbell: "If the notion of Sprewell trying to
portray himself as an example of what's right with America
makes your blood boil, take a deep breath. Relax. And 1
isn't targeting you. ... This is a company that is trying to
tap into the misfits, the disenfranchised, the outsiders.
The rebels without either a cause or a clue" (Albany TIMES
UNION, 5/16). During yesterday's Knicks-Heat game, NBC's
Bill Walton noted the spot uses Jimi Hendrix's version of
the national anthem: "I don't know if that's what Jimi
Hendrix at Woodstock was all about" ("NBA on NBC," 5/16).
