Wouldn't "trolling the establishment" at least require some sort of success?
Does that mean if I jump out the window from the 75th floor I am trolling the elevator operator?
Lonzo and his brother Chuck Cunningham and his other brother Chuck Cunningham
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Does that mean if I jump out the window from the 75th floor I am trolling the elevator operator?
Didn't really pay much attention to LaVar Ball until he played the race card to explain UCLA's loss to Kentucky.
Then there's his treatment of his wife, who suffered a stroke in February and who remains hospitalized, which you wouldn't know because Ball apparently does not visit or allow his sons to do so.
The man is a prick, pure and simple.
Lonzo is a drunk ruining a wedding, if after knocking over the sweet elderly aunt he turns on the douchy cousin for moment, it doesn't mean you root for him.
I expect the kid may have to publicly break with him once in the NBA, especially if he criticises team mates and coaches.
I expect the kid may have to publicly break with him once in the NBA, especially if he criticises team mates and coaches.
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I suppose, but I think it depends on what one considers success and from whose perspective. As a spectator without a dog in the fight, I would consider it success that people that aren't hardcore hoops followers are talking about him and having some sort of visceral reaction to the guy.
Question: what is the race card? It seems to be described in a variety of disconnected contexts.
In the case of Balls' statement, that would just be plain racism, as far as I'm concerned.
If in this case the little guy had a chance to stick it to the big corporations, then maybe I'd be rooting for him.
But at this point, the only person the "little guy" is sticking it to seems to be his son, who seems to be a nice enough guy but stands to lose millions if he doesn't turn out to be the next coming of Jordan as other posters have pointed out. Ball's brand isn't going to be built on the bleatings of his Dad but on LaVar's performance on the court.
OTOH, as someone who hopes that the Cs don't go anywhere near Ball, I hope his Dad keeps at it.
I think that would qualify as "success" if all he's worried about is himself, since LaVar is basically a Kardashian with a kid who can play basketball. So in that sense, if "LaVar Ball's Regular Bowel Movements" becomes a hit TV show, then he's a success.
But if, in adddition to the TV show, he: 1) doesn't sell any shoes; or 2) causes teams to shy away from Lonzo because Lonzo's skills might not be quite enough to force them put up with LaVar, then it might not be such a success.
LaVar Ball said Wednesday that if Nike, Under Armour or Adidas wants to make a deal with his Big Baller Brand now, the asking price is $3 billion. He also explained that he sees no need to market his products to women.
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19404697/lavar-ball-now-wants-3b-shoe-cos-want-get-deal
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19404697/lavar-ball-now-wants-3b-shoe-cos-want-get-deal
LaVar is #1 Twitter trend. Witness..
Katie NolanVerified account @katienolan 2h2 hours ago
Hey guys don't judge Lavar Ball until you walk a mile in his just kidding I'm not gonna make you do that they're trash
Katie NolanVerified account @katienolan 2h2 hours ago
Hey guys don't judge Lavar Ball until you walk a mile in his just kidding I'm not gonna make you do that they're trash
The funniest is that LaVar is peddling the fantasy that Lonzo is being picked second by the Lakers.
Anyone think Lonzo is that good?
Anyone think Lonzo is that good?
Whatever you think about LaVar, Lonzo seems like a pretty good dude. I mean not that we know too much. So as much as I'd get a little bit of schadenfreude regarding how LaVar would feel about him slipping, it wouldn't extend to Lonzo. I don't think he should drop out of the top 4 on talent alone.
What joke am I missing here? The consensus view is that he is the #2 talent in the draft. I don't watch college ball so only know the opinion of others.
Also, you may have heard about the exaggerated talent of Ball's kids but they are talking about the two younger brothers, not Lonzo.
Not a joke. I was not under the impression that he was that good. And his father is doing him no favors.
But whatever. If he's a legit #2, then so be it.
I'm no scout, but what am I missing with Ball? He shot well in college, but he has a funky release that will be much harder to get off against NBA defenses. The basketball IQ is there and he passes well, but his handle isn't that strong and he's not a top-notch athlete. I just don't see the elite skills that will translate at the next level and that would make me worried if I were drafting him 2nd overall.
He's got great speed, great fast break finish, insane range (which is necessary due to his wonky pull-the-ball-to-his-left-to-shoot-right-handed shot, which is very easy to block straight up). His defensive fundamentals are there (though he's not stocky enough to fight through the pick and roll). Mainly it's his court vision, explosiveness, and finish.
I certainly don't think it's the consensus view (if anything I think Josh Jackson has more support among drafniks) but he's in the conversation. He's one of the more unorthodox elite prospects to come along in a long time in that his elite skill is his vision, but many scouts think he's more better suited to play off-guard due to his inability to penetrate and underdeveloped handle. His shooting efficiency was incredible for a freshman PG, but an absurd amount of his shots are assisted because he can't really create his own shot. He is very good moving off the ball though. I watched a lot of him this year, and I think the "basketball genius" label he's often given is warranted. He's a really fun guy to watch if you like great passing and a fast paced offense- the ball's never in his hands long and he's excellent at setting his guys up for their shots. Ironically, given his father's persona, the strength of his game is based on being smart, unselfish (perhaps to a fault) and even-keeled on the court.
This is all pretty much spot on. Very curious to see how it translates against much better NBA defenses in a half-court setting, the latter of which he didn't have to spend a ton of time dealing with. Dynamite in the open court for sure.
Props to Leahy. She stood up to that ignorant bully. I hope the Lakers pick someone else because it would break Ball's heart but if they do I look forward to them having a hate-able villain on the roster.
You're right of course but I don't think Lavar is going away anytime soon. So he's still the villain associated with the Lakers. I'm conflicted about this. I want to see him flop but really only because of his dad and then I feel bad because Lonzo kind of the victim in this.
If his shot doesn't work in the NBA (I'm no shot expert but I can see that it's UGLY) isn't he just Ricky Rubio? A nice player to have but not a franchise altering one.
Do the other players on the Lakers have the skills to maximize Ball's skills, or will he be making great passes that bounce off his teammates' faces?
Not really. Ingram, or at least what some people envision Ingram will become, is a good fit, but the problem is that other than a year's worth of good 3PT shooting at Duke, his shooting peripherals aren't particularly promising. He's still just 2 months younger than Ball himself, so he has plenty of time to learn. Russell could work on offense, but would be a terrible fit on D, which is why it's widely speculated they'll try to shop him. Randle has a good mid-range game, but from what I've seen, it's usually from him initiating facing up, rather than coming off of screens, where Ball's vision and timing really come into play. Lonzo and Nance Jr. would definitely have some highlight hook-ups in transition. Lonzo's a good fit for the run-and-gun system Magic and Walton want to run, but they just don't have a ton of talent right now. With the All-NBA announcements coming, today's a big day for their prospects of landing George.
Rubio can at least guard other point guards. After watching Fox go for 39 against Ball I'm not sure if he can do that.
Ball is tantalizing because he has good size for either guard position and he has insane basketball IQ and passing ability. I quibble with the great speed and insane range lines though.
One of Ball's biggest weaknesses for the NBA is that he's actually not that fast or that athletic (DeAaron Fox ate his lunch twice because he was so much faster and more athletic). Ball did have a good 3P% last year and did flash some range but it was a small sample. He has terrible mechanics and his FT% (normally a better indicator of future shooting success) was subpar.
His ceiling is something like Jason Kidd but I think it's far more likely he's a Ricky Rubio redux.
I would be 100% confident Jerry West would have plan in place for Lavar. Magic probably does too, but I am a bit less confident. Magic has done well for himself off the court, and is certainly tougher and more cut-throat than his happy go lucky persona.
I really want to watch the public father fight when Bill Walton defends his son from Lavar's criticism.
I really want to watch the public father fight when Bill Walton defends his son from Lavar's criticism.
I don't get the Rubio comparisons at all.
Rubio is a terrible shooter, good FT shooter, good defender. Ball is an excellent shooter, mediocre FT shooter, and a subpar defender.
I guess they both pass the ball well and have good vision?
Rubio is a terrible shooter, good FT shooter, good defender. Ball is an excellent shooter, mediocre FT shooter, and a subpar defender.
I guess they both pass the ball well and have good vision?
Yeah, I don't get the Rubio comps. I was thinking more Jimmer Fredette or Austin Rivers in terms of shooters that had trouble transitioning to NBA speed and size. He has better court vision and passing than both, so I guess that's where the Rubio/Kidd comparisons come in.
And how will they react when- whether they have those skills or not- they publicly become a target of LaVar following any game where Lonzo doesn't record a double double or the Lakers lose? There've been the past incidents regarding the mom and the high school coach, but yesterday might've the first time he very publicly showed that beyond just being a buffoon he really is a delusional fucking asshole. And I'd expect the bombast out of LaVar to only grow greater as his storyline ages and he needs to provide a reason for the camera to stay on him. Couple that with the frustration he'll inevitably feel when he realizes that the shoe line will be lucky to break even and the potential for ever more over-the-top outbursts and assaults against anyone he can blame once Lonzo's number isn't retired before Christmas 2017 is there.
LaVar may be the asshole but it's going to impact Lonzo when he's running the offense for a group of guys who are getting very publicly vilified by his dad after every game.
If anyone wants to read why Ball is so highly touted, here's a good place to start: https://www.si.com/nba/2017/05/18/lonzo-ball-nba-draft-best-point-guard-scouting-report.
One of the main questions is how good one thinks that T.J. Leaf and Ike Anigbogu. If they are really first round talents, then Ball is playing with a much superior cast. If they are not, then Ball may be a wunderkind, at least in the college game.
I have three problems with Ball. First, he doesn't have NBA level strength or quickness right now, so he's going to be a liability on defense at first. Second, since he can't shoot off the dribble going right, the court's tilted and I don't know how effective a PnR is going to be since the defenders will be happy to go under the screen if he goes right. And third, if he does have any problem getting his jumper off in the NBA, he's going to be a below-replacement level player even with his wonderful court vision.
To me, Jackson, Fox, and Smith Jr. have much higher floors and (barring injury) will be in the NBA for a decade. Tatum probably will as well. Ball is much much riskier than that.
One of the main questions is how good one thinks that T.J. Leaf and Ike Anigbogu. If they are really first round talents, then Ball is playing with a much superior cast. If they are not, then Ball may be a wunderkind, at least in the college game.
I have three problems with Ball. First, he doesn't have NBA level strength or quickness right now, so he's going to be a liability on defense at first. Second, since he can't shoot off the dribble going right, the court's tilted and I don't know how effective a PnR is going to be since the defenders will be happy to go under the screen if he goes right. And third, if he does have any problem getting his jumper off in the NBA, he's going to be a below-replacement level player even with his wonderful court vision.
To me, Jackson, Fox, and Smith Jr. have much higher floors and (barring injury) will be in the NBA for a decade. Tatum probably will as well. Ball is much much riskier than that.
Apologies if I'm stepping on your joke here, but I was referring to Jerry West.
You see back when the Lakers were good, Jerry West ran the team, I even mentioned Magic in the 2nd part of the sentence.
I
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I know Lavar Ball's son is a great prospect, and from all accounts, the son isn't the self-promoter that the father is. I also know that bombast is what drives Lavar (that, and the money he hopes to earn off his sons over time). But if the father turns out to be a mysoginistic asshole, does it start to reflect on the son at all?
http://www.sbnation.com/2017/5/17/15654608/lavar-ball-sexist-comments-kristine-leahy-fox-sports-lonzo-ball
http://www.sbnation.com/2017/5/17/15654608/lavar-ball-sexist-comments-kristine-leahy-fox-sports-lonzo-ball
They are both good sized PG's with great basketball IQ, vision, and passing ability. Both had questions if their shot and athleticism would translate to the NBA. Both have long arms and the potential to be good defenders but who will still struggle mightily with defending smaller, super athletic players.
I'm not sure how you can call someone an excellent shooter but a mediocre FT shooter. In order to be an excellent shooter you pretty much have to be an excellent FT shooter.
As I stated in the original post, Ball had a good season shooting the 3 but that was a very small sample size. He has an awful shooting motion which didn't cause him any problems in college but will against NBA athletes.
Leahy has been egging on Bell in a major way, baiting him and talking shit about him for weeks, and it seems like she got the response she wanted. Her rush to play the victim is obnoxious. Lavar is not a great person, he's going to hurt his son's future, and he says a lot of ridiculous claptrap but there was nothing about his responses to Leahy that was misogynistic. He would have responded the same way to a man and probably been more emphatic about it.
You can't want equal opportunity for all and then rush to claim someone is attacking a woman b/c they got into an argument started by the woman.
Skip Bayless asked how many shoes he's sold and he responded.
Colin Cowherd asked how many shoes he's sold and he responded.
Kristine Leahy asked how many shoes he's sold and he told her to stay in her lane.
He also alleged that his brand, which offers women's apparel, had no need to appeal to women.
Baited or not, at the very least it's an extremely poor choice of words. At some point he's going to say something that can't be walked back or chalked up to buffoonery.
Colin Cowherd asked how many shoes he's sold and he responded.
Kristine Leahy asked how many shoes he's sold and he told her to stay in her lane.
He also alleged that his brand, which offers women's apparel, had no need to appeal to women.
Baited or not, at the very least it's an extremely poor choice of words. At some point he's going to say something that can't be walked back or chalked up to buffoonery.
I didn't realize she had gone to the point where she actually accused him of abuse. That colors it a little differently.