See Nike's Great Kevin Durant Ad That Ran Right After the Warriors Won It All

It's becoming a required tradition for brands to air congrats ads for their star athletes, and even for whole sports franchises, immediately after every championship victory. Visa pioneered this back in 2008, when it aired a special spot for Michael Phelps in the first commercial slot after he won his record eighth gold medal in Beijing. But the tactic has picked up steam lately, with Nike being particularly fond of it—as seen last June with its Cleveland Cavaliers tribute ad, and then in October with its lovely Chicago Cubs spot. The sports giant continued the tradition last night after the Golden State Warriors won the NBA title, which brought Nike endorser Kevin Durant his first championship ring. Right after the final buzzer, it aired the Wieden + Kennedy spot below, in which Durant's critics gleefully detail his many flaws but are silenced by the one thing you can't argue with—his championship victory. [kickout id="1"] The media buy is inspired, if standard practice now. Just as important, the spot rings true, given Durant's performance this postseason. Derided as weak and soft when he came into the league, Durant was mind-blowing in the Finals, averaging 35 points a game and dominating on both ends of the court. Kudos to Nike, too, for embracing the tension inherent in Durant's career, which led to a congrats ad that felt as hard-won as the championship itself. CREDITS Client: Nike Project: Debate This Agency: Wieden + Kennedy, Portland, Ore. Creative Directors: Alberto Ponte, Ryan O'Rourke Interactive Director: Dan Viens Copywriter: Josh Bogdan Art Director: Pedro Izique Integrated Production Director: Matt Hunnicutt Senior Integrated Producer: Jake Grand Production Assistant: Candice Harbour Account Team: Shinya Kamata, Simone Jackson, Erik Wade, Chris Willingham Media/Comms Team: John Furnari, Emily Graham, Anthony Holton, Danny Sheniak Strategy: Reid Schilperoort, Nathan Goldberg, Andy Lindblade Business Affairs Manager: Dusty Slowik W+K Studio: Tim O'Brien, Deb Lee Creative Management: Emily Norman Production Company: Anonymous Content Director: Tim Godsall Executive Producer: Eric Stern Line Producer: Brady Vant Hull Director of Photography: Darko Suvak Editorial Company: Arcade Editor: Geoff Hounsell Assistant Editor: Laura Sanford Post Producer Managing Partner Executive Producer : Alexa Atkin Damian Stevens Crissy DeSimone VFX, Design & Color: The Mill Exec Producer Production Coordinator: Anastasia Von Rahl Alana Giordano Lead Artist: John Shirley Flame Artist: Phil Millberger Executive Producer, Colour Colourist Colour Producer: Thatcher Peterson Adam Scott Diane Valera Producer: Alana Giordano Music + Sound Design: Barking Owl Sound Company Music Sweetening : Houston Fry Sound Designer: Morgan Johnson Producer CD/Partner: Ashley Benton Kelly Bayett Mix Company: LIME Studios Mixer: Zac Fisher Executive Producer: Susie Boyajan

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See Nike's Great Kevin Durant Ad That Ran Right After the Warriors Won It All

'Debate This' silences the critics

Tim Nudd

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