Kevin Garnett Finally Gets a Break From Retirement, Thanks to NBA 2k18

That’s the setup in this silly spot for NBA 2K18. It shows the former MVP moping around in his trademark precariously poised hoodie, followed by a children’s choir and actor/Fox Sports personality Michael Rapaport, who all sing a tweaked version of “Pachelbel’s Canon” with lots of KG in-jokes:

“Sad man, so tall. Hoodie won’t fall. Longs to talk trash—pregame head smash.”

That last bit refers to Garnett’s elaborate head-banging warmup ritual. As for trash talk, well, KG ranked among the boldest badmouths before hanging it up in 2016. These days, he’s been reduced to needlepointing lines like, “Cry to yo mamma cause I ain’t listening,” if this spot can be believed.

Can anything lift the big guy from his funk? Hey, how about playing some NBA 2K with MyTEAM mode featuring Garnett and other hoop icons?

Yeah, nothing beats the blues like manipulating an animated version of your younger self around a basketball court.

Still … what’s with that freaky hood? Does he glue it in place? Mercy!

Breaking today, the digital film marks Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners’ first work for NBA 2K since the agency succeeded CP+B on the business last November.

Past efforts for the brand were varied and innovative, ranging from a fun Fitbit tie-in that earned an Adweek Project Isaac Award, to a grand tour of a city neighborhood populated by NBA players.

Here, BSSP works from a zanier playbook to entice current NBA 2K players and hardcore NBA devotees.

“We were concepting about retired players who needed a way back into the game,” Sinan Dagli, associate creative director at BSSP, tells Adweek. “Naturally, playing NBA 2K is the next best thing.”

As for teaming Garnett with Rapaport, the latter “is a huge basketball fan and a big trash talker—effectively, the fan version of KG,” Dagli says. “That felt like a natural connection. We also thought it would be hysterical to have him sing in a children’s choir.”

Well, maybe not “hysterical,” exactly, but it’s amusing, and the whole spot is compelling, with veteran commercial director Tom Scharpling taking the comedic concept hard to the rim.

There’s a bit much to digest in a single view, but cool details abound. For example, long-time Garnett followers might notice a framed photo of “Jiggle Boy,” that fabled KG super-fan of yore. Wiggle on, full-figured friend, you’ve got 10 seconds of fame back on the clock!

CREDITS:

Agency: BSSP
Tom Coates – Executive Creative Director
Sinan Dagli – Associate Creative Director
Patrick French – Copywriter
Cameron Murray – Copywriter
Alex Anderson – Senior Art Director
Alex Eley – Account Director
Mal Gretz – Account Supervisor
Fearghal O’Dea – Senior Integrated Producer
Halsey Stowe – Associate Strategy Director

2K
Jason Argent – SVP, Basketball Operations
Alfie Brody – VP, Sports Marketing
Billy Inglis – Sr Brand Manager
Andrew Blumberg – Sr. Brand Manager
Ronnie Singh – Director, Digital Marketing

Arts & Sciences
Tom Scharpling – Director
Mal Ward – Managing Director
Marc Marrie – Executive Producer
Christa Skotland – Head of Production
Kristin Porter – Line Producer

Cut and Run
Deanne Mehling – Executive Producer
Pete Koob – Editor

Choir
Nothing But Treble
Yessian Music Group
Andy Grush – Creative Director
James Carey Haun – Music Arrangement
David Gold – Executive Producer
Katie Overcash – Sr. Producer
Michael Yessian – Head of Production
Brian Yessian – CCO

Company 3
Dave Hussey – Colorist
Handsome Sound
Chris Forrest – Sound Engineer