Lonzo Ball‘s rise from UCLA standout to the Lakers‘ teenage cornerstone has been largely hyped up by his outspoken father, LaVar Ball. The elder Ball has become a media sensation, known for his flurry of outrageous claims (claiming he can beat Michael Jordan one-on-one) and promotion of his son’s abilities has been front page news since last year. While the world is still learning how to deal with the circus, the younger Ball is not ashamed or surprised at how his father conducts himself in the public eye.
“I think it’s overblown, I mean, that’s how my dad is, I’m used to him acting like that, so it’s nothing new for me,” Ball said in an interview with USA Today. “The way we look at it as a family is positive, you know, we talked it over before all this happened and we all know he’s going to do what he’s going to do. We just look at it as a positive and try to run with it.”
Once the season is underway, and Lonzo tries to live up to LaVar’s promise of leading the Lakers to the playoffs in his first season, past comments will not be relevant anymore. Ball will have to execute his on-court abilities and block out the noise associated with the NBA season. He will seek showing the world that his dad claiming his son is better than Stephen Curry is more than an offhand comment.
Below you can read additional news surrounding the Pacific Division:
- The Kyrie Irving saga has continued and training camp, followed by the regular season, are all drawing closer. Irving has drawn interest from around the NBA and in his latest piece, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer examines the possibility of Kyrie to the Suns. Specifically, O’Connor addresses Phoenix trading 2017 first rounder Josh Jackson for the NBA champion, ultimately viewing a trade for a proven commodity over keeping an athletic asset with upside a no-brainer.
- The Clippers‘ deal with Jamil Wilson is a two-year, two-way contract, according to basketball journalist David Pick (via Twitter). Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders tweeted that $50,000 of Wilson’s first-year salary is guaranteed.
- In a minor coaching change, the Suns named Jeff Fish the director of performance and head strength and conditioning coach, per a team announcement.
Of course trading for a proven commodity is a no brainer but only when the proven player is a fit. A Kyrie and Booker backcourt is not a winning recipe due to the lack of playmaking and defense. Sticking with Josh Jackson, who looks to be a solid playmaker and good defender, has more upside than a Kyrie-Booker pairing and ultimately, the Suns should choose Jackson over Irving
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I’d buy a ticket to see Kyrie, not so much for Josh Jackson.
And Kyrie doesn’t fit into the suns rebuild timeline
The Suns rebuild timeline? What’s that 2025?
Around 2019 which is when his contract ends
Bledsoe and JJ booth better than Kyrie
You can’t say JJ is better then Kyrie he hasn’t played a NBA game yet there’s a word called bust for a reason (not saying he is or will be) and Bledsoe is no where near Kyrie
And if you think he is why dot you always post that they should trade him any time someone is available
Dumbest post I have read in a long long time.
I think Jackson for Kyrie straight up is a fair trade for Phoenix, but anymore than that and it’s not worth it. Don’t mortgage the future for 2 years of a “pretty good” PG.
Bledsoe needs to be in there if for nothing else to make the salaries match. You can keep your crappy Miami pick though.
Everyone would be better off if Bledsoe was traded for JRSmith straight up. At a time when Ramon Sessions and Zac Randolph were acquired partly to mentor, Smith could have positive impact on Josh Jackson, being perhaps similar types. Smith shoots with flourish and pride and Jackson needs more of that. Smith has also found a stable and apparently rewarding lifestyle while still getting mad at refs and playing with emotion, and Phoenix should do something with Jackson in the big picture if they won’t trade him. (They might have plans fpr that already IDK)
And obv Cavs need a replacement PG.
Although Oconnor makes a good argument! And new ones, surprisingly.
Is Alonzo of meds? He always looks weird and a bit off? Granted his Dad should be on meds but is obviously not?
Damn spellcheck. Meant is Lonzo on meds
They REALLY need to find a new pic. I get annoyed just looking at this and I’m a Laker fan!