When Laker’s GM Magic Johnson drafted the oldest Ball brother 2nd overall out of UCLA. He knew what he was getting… or at least he thought he did. In a world where parents are more and more visible in youth, AAU, and even high school sports, surely professional sports and the NBA remained impenetrable by loud and opinionated parents such as the father of the Laker’s star rookie. As the regular season began, it was clear this was not the case. Much like he had to the staff of Chino Hills and UCLA, Lavar Ball became openly critical of the Lakers coaching. In another unprecedented development, ESPN’s Jeff Goodman published an article with Lavar in which he was openly bashing Luke Walton and the Laker’s staff. Not only did this increase frustration within the organization, but also around the league. Rick Carlisle, the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks called the article “a disgrace” and argued the fact that ESPN would even publish “these kinds of ignorant distractions is deplorable.” Steve Kerr, the coach of the Warriors echoed these statements, while Piston’s coach Stan Van Gundy threatened to boycott over the comments. The consensus among these coaches is the Luke Walton is a great young coach and to let the father of any player --let alone a rookie-- openly bash the way he does his job is blasphemous. By publishing these comments ESPN givers greater credibility to Lavar and undermines everything Walton has worked for while creating an impossible situation in the locker room. So, when the two younger Ball brother’s --and their polarizing father-- decided to play overseas, no situation improved more than that of Luke Walton.
This past week, Big Baller Brand hosted their first ever International Basketball tournament in Prienai, Lithuania. The tournament brought in teams from Poland, Latvia, and Slovenia round robin tournament while the league is on break. If the name of the tournament wasn't enough marketing for Big Baller Brand, the tournament coincided with the release of the G3 shoe, LiAngelo's signature shoe. This is just another chapter in the Ball family story and another opportunity for LaVar to take center stage and promote his brand. While he is no where near on the same level as Nike and Adidas, BBB is slowly establishing itself in the Basketball industry and this tournament is a step in the right direction to promote the brand in Eastern Europe. The company already has 1.3 million followers on Instagram and that is sure to increase following the tournament. While Big Baller Brand seems to have some supporters in the United States with people buying their apparel, do you think that i...
I agree that parents should not be able to influence coaches at any advanced level of basketball, or any sport for that matter. However, now that Lavar Ball has taken on a coaching role in Lithuania, I wonder if he will become less outspoken and respect the position of coach more, or if he will use his experience to justify his criticism. To me, Lavar´s future moves depend on the success of his sons and their team in the next season.
ReplyDeleteThe entire Lavar Ball situation has been unheralded in sports and I feel bad for those affected, Lonzo and Luke Walton in particular. However, I doubt an ocean can keep Lavar quiet. I believe that it is on Lonzo to enforce to his father that he is impeding his development and creating issues within the locker room. Obviously having supportive parents is important but many go too far, many Americans remember that one kid's dad who was way too into it. As a youth there isn't much a kid can do, but at Lonzo's age he should stand up to his dad. He shouldn't be reliant on anyone else to stop to his dad, but himself and it's time he took matters into his own hands regardless of whether or not his dad is in the US or Lithuania.
ReplyDeleteLavar most definitely will have a voice when it comes to his children. I almost feel bad to the Laker’s staff for having to deal with the Ball family. It almost seems extreme that Lavar feels the need to comment on Walton’s coaching. Lavar has little experience when it comes to professional basketball, and will of course only defend his children’s career. This sets Walton to walk on eggshells when it comes to Lonzo because if he does anything to anger Lavar, Lavar will immediately go to the press “bashing” Walton's coaching style. If I were Luke Walton, I would want to shed the Ball family from my team because it would be difficult to have Lonzo do anything but be the star of the squad. He must feel relief that the Balls are moving their game abroad.
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