The teams and superstars may change, but there’s one constant in every American pro sports league playoff.
The one commercial that gets played ad nauseam to the point where everyone collectively hates it and wishes they never had to see it ever again.
For the 2024 NBA Playoffs, that ad has been the “What a Pro Wants” AT&T commercial featuring Oklahoma City Thunder stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren.
Given how much you’ve already watched it (and will watch it in the weeks ahead), we’re not going to force you to again, but just for reference you can find it here.
The conceit is simple but creates a lot of questions. Chet and SGA are leaving a nondescript building, both clad head-to-toe in leather. Holmgren lets SGA know that AT&T has just texted him with information for “the best plan for me,” which makes us wonder what plan they duped him with initially. When Holgren adds that “they know what a pro wants,” SGA replies by saying “what a pro needs” and they eventually start (poorly) singing Christina Aguilera’s “What a Girl Wants” before recognizing that they’ve got some work to do. They then get on a bus (is this a team bus or a charter bus that anyone can board?) and the commercial ends (although Holmgren remains outside the bus after SGA boards, implying that he might be having second thoughts).
It’s the kind of commercials that’s harmless enough if it runs selectively, or only during Oklahoma City games. But when that commercial becomes ever-present in the lives of NBA fans trying to maintain their sanity during the stressful playoffs, it ceases having any positive value in anyone’s life. Instead, it becomes a menace, unrelentingly stalking basketball fans without remorse.
And they’re pretty sick of it at this point.
I’m ready to call it: Aided in part by being forcefed to hoops fans for months, the Chet/SGA “What a pro wants” is the worst commercial in history.
I don’t know what it sought to accomplish but if the goal was to leave me equal parts confused and annoyed each time: Well done.
— David Ubben (@davidubben) April 29, 2024
Is the SGA and Chet commercial the worst one of all time?
— Emo Jimmy (@WheelerJaylen) April 28, 2024
Trying to think of the worst moment of my life… oh wait, I remember: it’s watching this Shai-Chet “What a pro wants” commercial. pic.twitter.com/WPmSf1IHud
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 24, 2024
I just need 100-200 more viewings of the What A Pro Wants ad to determine why they’re singing that particular song, what the pun/joke is, why Shai and Chet were chosen for the commercial, and what product is being advertised
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) April 28, 2024
I have seen many commercials over the years. The “What a pro wants” commercial with SGA and Chet Holmgren genuinely stands out as the least pleasant I’ve ever seen.
— NikolaNuggets (@NikolaNuggets) April 27, 2024
It’s the one issue uniting all Americans at the moment. The commercial is an abomination and I increasingly recoil every time I’m forced to watch it. https://t.co/HSDISdjakb
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) April 29, 2024
@pardonmytake The SGA Chet Holmgren commercial has been overplayed #barstoolsports #thunder #oklahomacity #nba #basketball ♬ original sound – pardonmytake
We are all the bellhop at this point.
[AT&T]
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.