Lonzo and his brother Chuck Cunningham and his other brother Chuck Cunningham

[Auger34]

I am pretty sure she has never said he is abusing his kids, let alone claiming that for weeks. She said that Lonzo didn't speak for himself and seemed almost afraid of speaking without LaVars approval. That's different than claiming abuse.

Bottom line is that LaVar goes on these shows and acts like a complete ass. When you act like he does and you continually say outlandish things you have to expect some criticism. Now if it's true that Leahy said he abused his kids then she went too far and that's inexcusable.

Regardless, I just hope I never hear from or see LaVar on my television again.

 

[uncannymanny]

1pm EST on eBay, get your autographed Ball cards! Nope, not Lonzo...

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19629539/lavar-ball-signs-autograph-deal

 

[Dan Murfman]

Happy Father's Day!

 

[The Social Chair]

That is great PR.

 

[Schnerres]

Has Lonzo another face than "Stoneface"?
He looks so bored in that video...

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Happy Father's Day!

I now LOVE Lonzo Ball!!!

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

That really is well done. Someone convinced dad that he had to self-deprecate and he actually listened.

I wonder how the other guys feel about being supporting characters in the bit? If they even knew . . . ?

 

[DJnVa]

Has Lonzo another face than "Stoneface"?
He looks so bored in that video...

That's the point isn't it?

 

[slamminsammya]

Makes me wonder if they have been planning this good cop bad cop act all along. In any case its hilarious.

 

[djbayko]

And fishing

 

[reggiecleveland]

This is classic PR. I doubt it was planned, but is a good strategy for changing the conversation. . Footlocker did this with Rodman on the one way flight to North Korea. I am more cynical. Making a joke about it doesn't mean it didn't happen.

If they did a spot where Pap Bell is shit talking Jordan, then is told Jordan was in the building and then cut to him running away, that would be funny.

 

[HowBoutDemSox]

Lonzo was wearing Nike's in last night's summer game:

https://sports.yahoo.com/lonzo-ball-wore-nike-not-big-baller-brand-best-summer-league-game-051423184.html

 

[DJnVa]

Some rumors out there that the Big Baller sneakers weren't all that comfortable.

Game 1 with BB sneakers: Ball doesn't play well
Game 2 with BB sneakers: Ball plays better, may have tweaked injury
Game 3 with Nike: Scores 36
Game 4 with adiadas: Triple double

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Some rumors out there that the Big Baller sneakers weren't all that comfortable.

Game 1 with BB sneakers: Ball doesn't play well
Game 2 with BB sneakers: Ball plays better, may have tweaked injury
Game 3 with Nike: Scores 36
Game 4 with adiadas: Triple double

Those people who spent $700 for the Big Baller brand shoes now get a taste of what it felt like to invest in internet stock bundles during the spring of 2000.

 

[NoXInNixon]

Nobody is paying $700 for shoes expecting them to be optimal for elite basketball performance.

 

[DJnVa]

Nobody is paying $700 for shoes expecting them to be optimal for elite basketball performance.

They do it for the perceived value of the shoe--many are collectors. If Lonzo is having issues with them already, that perceived value has taken a hit, no?

 

[JimBoSox9]

Nobody is paying $700 for shoes expecting them to be optimal for elite basketball performance.

The major shoe brands do not generally act as if they agree this is the case. If an NBA star isn't wearing their own shoe on the court, the market has been unlikely to embrace that shoe.

 

[jmm57]

If Lonzo goes to Nike/Adidas and turns into a star, I'd think the value of the few hundred BBB shows will be really high in a collector market?

 

[Cesar Crespo]

I thought the BBB wasn't supposed to be a basketball shoe anyway? I thought it was supposed to be a step below designer brands like Gucci.

 

[DJnVa]

I thought the BBB wasn't supposed to be a basketball shoe anyway? I thought it was supposed to be a step below designer brands like Gucci.

Yes, I don't think we're talking about it for players, but the fact remains that if the shoe for some reason is failing on the court for Ball, that has brand repercussions even though it's not the same product.

If Lonzo goes to Nike/Adidas and turns into a star, I'd think the value of the few hundred BBB shows will be really high in a collector market?

That seems to make sense, but then again, now you're describing a "can't fail" investment--if Ball does well they're valuable and if they fail so bad he goes elsewhere they're valuable too? Not sure.

 

[the moops]

OK, Lavar Ball is definitely an asshole.

http://deadspin.com/lavar-ball-throws-hissy-fit-gets-female-referee-replac-1797339573

 

[HomeRunBaker]

OK, Lavar Ball is definitely an asshole.

http://deadspin.com/lavar-ball-throws-hissy-fit-gets-female-referee-replac-1797339573

He's a distant second in my book to the Adidas rep who actually sided with a coach to have the official replaced mid-game but point taken. Insanity.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Don't listen if the whole Ball thing pisses you off or if you hate the NBA sideshow or rap or what passes for rap.

 

[Average Reds]

OK, Lavar Ball is definitely an asshole.

http://deadspin.com/lavar-ball-throws-hissy-fit-gets-female-referee-replac-1797339573

Apparenty "Stay in her/your lane" is LaVar's go-to misogynistic insult.

What a dick.

 

[reggiecleveland]

He's a distant second in my book to the Adidas rep who actually sided with a coach to have the official replaced mid-game but point taken. Insanity.

There may be more to the story. If the ref was actually out of line. Hard to know what he said for the T. My experience is the officials in those AAU games are usually really good, but there are times a supervisor knows to keep a certain ref away from a certain team. It is possible this was a screw up and she was not supposed to ref that game.Most likely Adidas wants to sign the kid, and are kissing his ass.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Per Sportscenter, she is a Div 1 women's referee, totally qualified.

 

[Average Reds]

Right. She belongs in "the women's' lane."

 

[reggiecleveland]

IF she is Div 1 she has paid her dues that is a long road. A lot of the AAU games are reffed by people on the way up hoping to get NCAA qualified, trying to get to Div 3, etc.

 

[SumnerH]

Citation: http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/20183144/female-referee-removed-lavar-ball-threatens-pull-aau-team-court

The replaced referee, whose name was not given by tournament officials, declined comment. She officiates NCAA Division I women's basketball games.

 

[LondonSox]

This guy is a complete dick.

I always liked the fit for Lonzo on the sixers with Simmons, if he had slipped to three, but I am really glad this dick is not in my supporting life

 

[reggiecleveland]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2725116-lavar-ball-says-he-was-better-te-than-rob-gronkowski

On Tuesday, Ball told the Really Big Show on ESPN 850 AM Cleveland that he was a better tight end "back in my heyday" than four-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro selection Rob Gronkowski (h/t TMZ Sports).

Ball—who played tight end for the London Monarchs—claimed he was "too fast, too strong" and simply a better athlete than the New England Patriots superstar.

 

[sezwho]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2725116-lavar-ball-says-he-was-better-te-than-rob-gronkowski

Explicitly racist, sexist and an epic bragger with no sense of anything beyond self promotion...Vote Lavar in 2020

 

[LondonSox]

I think he made both sixers and Celtics fans agree on something, it's that we are better off not having our teams involved with this moron

 

[DJnVa]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2725116-lavar-ball-says-he-was-better-te-than-rob-gronkowski

Okay, NOW HE'S GONE TOO FAR!!

His stats for the London Monarchs: 28 yards in kick returns. That's apparently it.

 

[mauf]

I think he made both sixers and Celtics fans agree on something, it's that we are better off not having our teams involved with this moron

I don't know. Lonzo's rookie year will be rough, but once his younger boys are getting minutes in college (they're overrated, but both will likely be good D-I players), it will be more fun for him to make mischief there. And Lonzo looks like an awfully good player.

 

[LondonSox]

If Lonzo is good you think he'll get quieter?

And I do think Lonzo will be good if used right, used right however is potentially not what douche nozzle here thinks

 

[DisgruntledSoxFan77]

If Lonzo is good you think he'll get quieter?

You spelled "Louder and an even bigger dick" wrong

 

[DJnVa]

Do you want the trailer for the Ball family reality show?

Of course you do.

https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2017/08/30/lavar-lonzo-ball-family-facebook-reality-tv-show-trailer-video

 

[E5 Yaz]

The youngest Ball brother, 16-year-old high school junior LaMelo Ball, now has his own signature shoe and his father, LaVar, told ESPN that he isn't concerned whether it will affect his son's college eligibility.
"We'll worry about it when we get there," LaVar told ESPN. "Who cares? If he can't play, then he can't play. It doesn't mean he'll stop working out and getting better."
The NCAA did not immediately return a request for comment.
LaMelo's shoe -- the MB1 -- was available Thursday for pre-order through Big Baller Brand's website for $395.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/20520784/high-school-junior-lamelo-ball-now-signature-shoe-395

 

[BigSoxFan]

The youngest Ball brother, 16-year-old high school junior LaMelo Ball, now has his own signature shoe and his father, LaVar, told ESPN that he isn't concerned whether it will affect his son's college eligibility.
"We'll worry about it when we get there," LaVar told ESPN. "Who cares? If he can't play, then he can't play. It doesn't mean he'll stop working out and getting better."
The NCAA did not immediately return a request for comment.
LaMelo's shoe -- the MB1 -- was available Thursday for pre-order through Big Baller Brand's website for $395.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/20520784/high-school-junior-lamelo-ball-now-signature-shoe-395

I feel bad for LiAngelo. He's a very mediocre player and should be able to just enjoy 4 years of UCLA and his dad is going to tank his eligibility at some point and then he'll be playing 2 mpg in the G League for the South Bay Lakers for the next decade.

 

[soxhop411]

There is no way this does not backfire.

 

[BigSoxFan]

There is no way this does not backfire.

UCLA might as well open up that scholarship saved for LaMelo.

 

[Grin&MartyBarret]

There is no way this does not backfire.

Yeah, he should just do the smart thing and rely on the AAU circuit and NCAA recruitment process to do what's best for his kid.

 

[Kliq]

If I were to put myself in LaMelo's (billion dollar) shoes I would imagine playing HS ball isn't very fun anymore. Thanks to the hype train I assume every team he plays will want to hammer his 110lb ass.

 

[the moops]

I am not one who tends to care about this sort of thing, but Lonzo's demeanor is, well, is like JD Drew on prozac. He looks extremely uninterested and disengaged in just about every clip I have seen

 

[Cesar Crespo]

I am not one who tends to care about this sort of thing, but Lonzo's demeanor is, well, is like JD Drew on prozac. He looks extremely uninterested and disengaged in just about every clip I have seen

Almost as if he's been forced to play basketball since birth... oh.

 

[Schnerres]

Expectations and predictions for Lonzo and the Laker show tonight vs. Clippers?

 

[zoolight.space]

Lonzo will have some highlight plays and end up with a pretty nice stat line and the Lakers will lose by 20.

 

[DannyDarwinism]

He'll make some plays in transition, but I expect him to really struggle against Pat Beverly. Teodosic will be the rookie passing savant getting the love tomorrow.

 

[Tony C]

Yep, Teodosic will be the old dog teaching the young pup some tricks. And have always loved Beverly -- that's the sort of tenacious D that will take Lonzo some getting used to. Count me in the 'Clippers will be better than expected camp' with some very smart acquisitions. I like Lonzo a lot, more than most on this board I think, but it'll still be a long road for him and his surrounding cast.