When the Lakers drafted Lonzo Ball, they acquired a package deal that included his outspoken father, LaVar. In his rookie season, Lonzo has fielded questions about his father’s critiques of the Lakers, the Big Baller Brand, and his brothers’ basketball careers.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne outlines a tense, if not somewhat hostile, environment since the Ball infiltrated the Lakers organization. Among the issues Shelburne reports: The Lakers didn’t allow the family’s production team to film games for their ‘Ball In The Family’ Facebook show for free, charged Lonzo regular price for tickets, and privately admonished LaVar when poor reviews of BBB’s products were directed to the team.
While the organization has stayed mostly silent in regards to LaVar’s comments, privately, the team views him as a major distraction. One official tells Shelburne that LaVar is viewed as someone that, “reaches out with one hand and slaps us with the other.”
It has been a tumultuous, injury-filled rookie season for Lonzo, but he has shown signs of promise. While it remains to be seen whether he’ll deliver promise on that promise to an extent that makes his father’s presence worth tolerating, Magic Johnson has plenty of confidence in the partnership and no regrets about drafting the young point guard.
“He’s everything we thought he would be and more,” Johnson said. “Things are gonna work out for the Lakers and for Lonzo.”
Check out other Pacific Division news and notes below:
- While it appeared that Marquese Chriss turned a major corner less than two months ago, his game has seemingly regressed back to rookie status in his second season with the Suns, Scott Bordow of Arizona Central Sports writes.
- Acquired in last summer’s Chris Paul trade, Montrezl Harrell has played well for the Clippers and has solidified his role as the backup center. It’s not easy to pinpoint one specific thing Harrell does well, but he says he just maximizes his minutes, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times writes. “I just took the minutes I had and made the best of it when I got in,” Harrell said. “I just kept working on my game, off the court and on the court.”
- In spite of his team’s youth movement, Kings veteran Zach Randolph has played more than expected in recent weeks, which has allowed him to get into a groove offensively, Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee writes. “You get a good rhythm,” Randolph said. “Especially something that I’m not used to, the team developing our young players. So you get into a good rhythm, it’s important, playing and getting that feel.”
To believe that before the draft the Lakers didn’t think Lavar was going to be a distraction either is complete bull or shows how naive the Lakers administration was. Drafting Ball was a mistake and there is no coincidence that the Lakers have played well, if not better, in Lonzo’s absence.
The Lakers have not played that well without Lonzo. They were 0-6 I believe when he injured his shoulder and the team has been awful defensively of late. Stop making comments based off headlines
LaVar refused to interview with Ramona Shelbourne or Jeff Goodman any more, told them to go home. Said they were “sheisty.”
Wonder how far LaVar will go with his threat to keep Lonzo from resigning with the Lakers in 3 years if they don’t sign LiAngelo this summer.
If I’m Lakers I wouldn’t offer LiAngelo a contract, but I would give him a pair of sunglasses!
I wish magic and the lakers would grow a pair and send ball and his family packing.
Just wait til liangelo & lamelo are in the purple and gold!
Better be. LaVar says he’ll only let Lonzo play with team that takes his 2 brothers too. I’m sure LaVar will want to coach to so they can get their minutes and shots.
Acquiring Lamelo would be Lame and Lamentoble.
Who said that not me
Why don’t you take that crazy picture off before commenting?
Maybe in the offseason. Oona survived the trade deadline! America needs new actresses.
Lonzo is a Laker for life.
This one got you 4 likes and 94 dislikes on NBC Sports Dionis Beatos. Cmon man!
He’s everything we thought he would be and more??? He’s just a distraction that can’t shoot. His FT percentage is even horrible. Can these guys looking for big money at least spend the hours shooting from the line? There isn’t a lot of excuses for professionals to not be able to hit at least 80-85% of their free throws.
EXACTLY
So many Lakers haters out here. The Lakers are at their best with a healthy Lonzo. Sure they had some success with Ingram at the point but he’s out of place. His shooting had improved dramatically after the first month. And his ability to pass and rebound is elite for a guard. If the media would stop putting the mic in LaVar’s face we’d stop getting this bull**** comments every week. But they want clicks so he gives them material
I have been a Lakers fan since 1980. Ball is not a talent that is worthy of hanging his jersey anywhere in the rafters with the past stars. I love Magic but I think he’s wrong on this kid and his dad they shouldn’t entertain a word he says and let him disappear. He doesn’t have to worry about him resigning with the Lakers. He will be traded or in D league before he’s waiting on deciding where he’s going to sign his big free agent contract.
Media isn’t putting mic in LaVar’s face, he’s in Lithuania!!!