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

E5 Yaz

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The father of UCLA guard Lonzo Ball and his brothers LiAngelo and LaMelo, high schoolers who are committed to UCLA, said he's looking for a packaged shoe deal that would involve his three sons that would be worth $1 billion.

"A billion dollars, it has to be there," LaVar Ball told USA Today, in an article published Monday. "That's our number, a billion, straight out of the gate. And you don't even have to give it to me all up front. Give us $100 million a year."
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18901427/lavar-ball-seeks-combined-1-billion-shoe-deal-three-sons

I know we've chatted about this before, but Papa Ball doesn't seem as though he'll be the type to step aside quietly when his sons turn pro
 

johnmd20

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That's billion, with a B.

Come on LaVar. Oh wait, you only want a 100 million out of the gate? "Oh sure, no problem," says no shoe company in the history of ever.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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The hope, I guess, if you end up with Lonzo, is that he refocuses his attention to the next Ball up.

But, more likely, God help you if you aren't doing right by Lonzo.
 

E5 Yaz

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That's billion, with a B.

Come on LaVar. Oh wait, you only want a 100 million out of the gate? "Oh sure, no problem," says no shoe company in the history of ever.
That's my favorite part of his quotes: "And you don't even have to give it to me all up front."
 

E5 Yaz

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Here's an outtake from the USA Today story

Standing outside of UCLA’s locker room after the Bruins’ 77-68 victory over Washington State, Ball greeted UCLA head coach Steve Alford in inimitable style.

“Steve Alford!" Ball boomed. “Hey, man, you all right? I got some tissue for you."

It was Senior Night, and Ball said he’d spotted tears in Alford’s eyes during the pregame ceremony when Alford’s son Bryce, a senior guard, walked across the arena floor.

“To make me cry,’’ LaVar Ball said, “you’ve got to hit me with a 2-by-4."

The punchline triggered laughter from Ball’s entourage, and an intriguing entourage it is. The members include:

► Darren Moore, a family friend who LaVar said he has paid to live in Westwood this season and keep tabs on Lonzo. Moore said he has attended every UCLA practice and UCLA road game.

► A photographer and videographer chronicling the life of LaVar Ball and his boys for a potential TV show.

► Alan Foster, a family friend who said he is helping develop a signature basketball shoe to be sold under the family’s apparel line, Big Baller Brand, that drew scrutiny from the NCAA.

On the the web site, bigballerbrand.com, the family sells T-shirts for as much as $60, hoodies for as much as $70 and hats for as much as $100. In February, LaVar said, UCLA told him he would have to remove a photo of Lonzo from the website or else Lonzo’s eligibility would be at risk.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/tourney/2017/03/13/lavar-lonzo-ball-ucla-march-madness-nba-draft/99126082/
 

shaggydog2000

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That's my favorite part of his quotes: "And you don't even have to give it to me all up front."
It's how much Jordan makes for his brand, $100M a year. But this is a way better deal, because instead of 1 Jordan you get three Balls. No brainer. Or he'll just start his own company. Oh, and signing all three of them means the second two would lose eligibility. This dude is deliciously out of touch with reality.
 

E5 Yaz

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It's how much Jordan makes for his brand, $100M a year. But this is a way better deal, because instead of 1 Jordan you get three Balls. No brainer. Or he'll just start his own company. Oh, and signing all three of them means the second two would lose eligibility. This dude is deliciously out of touch with reality.
Jordan, you say?

“Back in my heyday, I would kill Michael Jordan one-on-one,’’ said Ball, the 49-year-old basketball dad who is 6-6 and 270 pounds and has a mouth to match his size.

“I would just back (Jordan) in and lift him off the ground and call a foul every time he fouls me when I do a jump hook to the right or the left," Ball said. “He cannot stop me one-on-one. He better make every shot ’cause he can’t go around me. He’s not fast enough. And he can only make so many shots outside before I make every bucket under the rim."
 

ElUno20

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This all great and all but he couldn't spend a few minutes 10 years ago in changing Lonzo's horrible release?
 

BigSoxFan

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"And you don't even have to give it to me all upfront..."

What percentage of his earned millions will Lonzo actually see?
 

kenneycb

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It's how much Jordan makes for his brand, $100M a year. But this is a way better deal, because instead of 1 Jordan you get three Balls. No brainer. Or he'll just start his own company. Oh, and signing all three of them means the second two would lose eligibility. This dude is deliciously out of touch with reality.
Um, you may want to see a doctor if that's the case.
 

Cellar-Door

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The thing about LaVar is that his general idea that the family should make money off their talents instead of the NCAA (he won't wear UCLA gear, just his own in their colors) is fine. Even the idea of helping his kids make their own brand is good (it would be better if I believed it wasn't HIS brand but hey, I don't know the inner workings of their family).

The problem is he's so fucking bad at it, and he's an idiot.
The brand isn't going to sell because every design looks like it was made on paint in 1992. There's no way anyone is buying random ass non-shoe company shoes that he gets made in Mexico, even if Lonzo ended up the best player in the league. Also..... he can't sign a package deal for his kids with a shoe company until 2020, or else the youngest kid loses his eligibility for HS and College.

Beyond that...... at least 1 of his kids isn't very good, and theres a solid chance Lonzo is the only one ever to play in the NBA.

Overall, this has all the signs of his dad scaring off Nike and Adiddas and either losing out on a deal altogether or having to sign a cut rate deal with one of the Chinese companies. Worst case is he really tries to have own shoe line, and Lonzo has millions in debt before his first contract is up.
 

JCizzle

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This guy seems absolutely insufferable... and the first kid isn't even in the NBA yet! Stop living through your kids man.
 

DannyDarwinism

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It's funny, Lonzo's game and demeanor (on court, at least) is everything Lavar isn't- smart, selfless, in control. He's been one of my favorite college players to watch, but at least now if he bustsI can enjoy the schadenfreude of his assclown father vicariously busting through him.
 

BigSoxFan

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His other kids don't even look that special. The youngest can clearly shoot but he's skinny and not very athletic. Will he physically mature into something more? Sure, it's possible but we're not looking at a 15 year-old LeBron here. LiAngelo has a thick body and doesn't look very athletic to me. I think he may be a decent college player but nothing more.
 

Kliq

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I don't think it's ever fair to speculate on how good a 15 year old kid is going to be--although I know that is what the recruiting game is all about. The shoe industry has such a ridiculous influence over basketball all the way down to kids playing in middle school--I don't really understand WHY but it it's a disgusting aspect of the grassroots games.

It wouldn't surprise me if Lonzo washes out of the NBA and later admits that he didn't even really like basketball.
 

DJnVa

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His other kids don't even look that special. The youngest can clearly shoot but he's skinny and not very athletic. Will he physically mature into something more? Sure, it's possible but we're not looking at a 15 year-old LeBron here. LiAngelo has a thick body and doesn't look very athletic to me. I think he may be a decent college player but nothing more.
One of the ESPN college guys was on the radio this afternoon and said the youngest is really too young to project, but the middle kid is a 4 year NCAA player and then will have a decent overseas career, that's all.
 

BigSoxFan

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I don't think it's ever fair to speculate on how good a 15 year old kid is going to be--although I know that is what the recruiting game is all about. The shoe industry has such a ridiculous influence over basketball all the way down to kids playing in middle school--I don't really understand WHY but it it's a disgusting aspect of the grassroots games.

It wouldn't surprise me if Lonzo washes out of the NBA and later admits that he didn't even really like basketball.
I feel bad for these kids. They are star players for good basketball programs. They should be enjoying this, and I'm sure they are to some extent, but the dad keeps taking the focus off of them and placing it on himself. He's certainly helping to raise their profile (how many other 15 year-old HS players do we all know about) but none of this seems sustainable. Just feels like a 30 for 30 waiting to happen. Certainly going to be interesting to see how they develop. Feel like Lonzo/LaMelo get all the attention and LiAngelo kind of gets lost in the mix.
 

gryoung

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The Marinovich thing was classic. World-class athlete parents create and raise a child "destined to be a pro QB". Total control over the child --- diet highly regulated, workouts at age 2, no social life outside of football.

Kid goes to USC and discovers beer, pizza, weed, and girls.

Downhill at increasing speed ensues.
 

Schnerres

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OTOH, you didn´t expect him to ask for a 1-mil-dollar Nike contract, right?
Better ask for more (in this case: the stars) and then settle for a 10-year-contract worth 50 or 100mil., or whatever for Lonzo.
 

DJnVa

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"And you don't even have to give it to me all upfront..."

What percentage of his earned millions will Lonzo actually see?
It's interesting that the seemingly greedy dad raised such an unselfish basketball player.
 

JCizzle

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OTOH, you didn´t expect him to ask for a 1-mil-dollar Nike contract, right?
Better ask for more (in this case: the stars) and then settle for a 10-year-contract worth 50 or 100mil., or whatever for Lonzo.
Why is he even putting it out there at all? Let his kid hire a professional agent and live his own life. Beyond that, I'm sure his kid would prefer to focus on the tournament than deal with questions about stupid shit his dad is putting out there.
 

Was (Not Wasdin)

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The Marinovich thing was classic. World-class athlete parents create and raise a child "destined to be a pro QB". Total control over the child --- diet highly regulated, workouts at age 2, no social life* outside of football.

Kid goes to USC and discovers beer, pizza, weed, and girls.

Downhill at increasing speed ensues.
OTOH, when this is done by an adult by choice, with total buy in, you get....Tom Brady.

*And to be clear, I think Brady's social life is far more interesting and engaging than mine, I'm talking about the "beers and chicken wings a couple of times a week" social life.
 

BigSoxFan

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It's interesting that the seemingly greedy dad raised such an unselfish basketball player.
Probably for the same reason why some people who grow up with alcoholic parents won't touch the stuff. I applaud Lonzo for looking like a pretty normal dude despite all the distractions.
 

SumnerH

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The Marinovich thing was classic. World-class athlete parents create and raise a child "destined to be a pro QB". Total control over the child --- diet highly regulated, workouts at age 2, no social life outside of football.

Kid goes to USC and discovers beer, pizza, weed, and girls.

Downhill at increasing speed ensues.
Esquire had an article on him a few years ago. Marinovich was drinking and smoking pot as a high school sophomore--by the time he was a senior at Capistrano he was getting high before school every morning and opposing fans were calling him Marijuanavich. Junior and senior year his parents were divorced, and he was living with his dad--they used to bring dates back to the "bachelor pad" together.
 

Devizier

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This happens a ton in tennis (ergo the creepy picture of Peter Graf).

Besides Graf, you have Agassi, Pierce, and Capriati. Tons of other examples too. Obviously all those players were damned successful, even though they had to seek separation/legal restraints against their families. On the plus side, Richard Williams was a self-promoting dingus but his relationship with daughters turned out fine (as far as the eye can see).
 

Bleedred

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There isn't a t-shirt on that site for less than $50. If they were $15, I'd buy 2 for my kids just for the humor, but no way I'm dropping $100
 

nighthob

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It's how much Jordan makes for his brand, $100M a year. But this is a way better deal, because instead of 1 Jordan you get three Balls.
Here comes LaVar with his pecker in his hand
He's a three ball man
And he's off to the rodeo...
 

E5 Yaz

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The Marinovich thing was classic. World-class athlete parents create and raise a child "destined to be a pro QB". Total control over the child --- diet highly regulated, workouts at age 2, no social life outside of football.

Kid goes to USC and discovers beer, pizza, weed, and girls.

Downhill at increasing speed ensues.
NEWPORT BEACH – Former Raiders Todd Marinovich pleaded guilty on Tuesday to misdemeanor public nudity, drug and trespassing charges stemming from his arrest in Irvine last year.

http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/03/15/former-raiders-star-todd-marinovich-pleads-guilty-to-misdemeanor-charges/
 

shaggydog2000

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Authorities said Marinovich, who has long battled drug abuse, was nude and carrying a brown bag with methamphetamine, marijuana, syringes, a marijuana pipe and his wallet.
Well at least he had diversified his investments.
 

reggiecleveland

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This happens a ton in tennis (ergo the creepy picture of Peter Graf).

Besides Graf, you have Agassi, Pierce, and Capriati. Tons of other examples too. Obviously all those players were damned successful, even though they had to seek separation/legal restraints against their families. On the plus side, Richard Williams was a self-promoting dingus but his relationship with daughters turned out fine (as far as the eye can see).
And he eventually shut up.
 

Kliq

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So because I have no life, I went on YT and watched an entire HS basketball game between Chino Hills and Mater Dei. The Ball brothers played such a disgusting, miserable brand of basketball. I guess they exist as kind of folk heroes on the internet because the video I watched had 1.2 million views and was only uploaded a couple weeks ago. Look, high school basketball sucks, but this was so heavy shit. LaMelo shot 8-33 and LiAngelo shot 9-32. Their offense consisted of basically dribbling around the perimeter and taking awkward, off-balance threes (combined they took 46 of them) that often missed wildly. It is impossible to know if they will even be good college players because of how removed the game was from actual basketball.

Anyway, Mater Dei won in overtime because their PG was like a white Chris Paul and was the best player on the court for the whole game. They also have Manute Bol's son who is like 8 feet tall and destroys people at the rim. If anyone should be talking about a billion dollar shoe deal it is that kid; holy shit.
 

allstonite

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Anyway, Mater Dei won in overtime because their PG was like a white Chris Paul and was the best player on the court for the whole game. They also have Manute Bol's son who is like 8 feet tall and destroys people at the rim.
And you can't. teach. that.

I agree and this is kind of the logical conclusion to Curry and what the game has become in the past few years. Curry can do it because he's Steph Fucking Curry and a lot of NBA-ers obviously have similar range and know when to launch for the most part. I've been watching a lot of my cousins' 10-14ish year old games and it's seeped in there. They play girls and it's not as bad but I watch some of the boys games on the other courts and a lot of those kids get the ball, dribble down and then chuck from deep. Tons of bricks going up and down. It's really ugly.

The Ball's are the worst of this and they look like they're doing it for the internet videos. I saw one where the youngest was getting triple teamed on an inbounds and was looking at the phone filming and laughing. He got open and launched a really deep shot. Of course that was one of the few that went in based on the numbers. I would absolutely hate being on that team.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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And you can't. teach. that.

I agree and this is kind of the logical conclusion to Curry and what the game has become in the past few years. Curry can do it because he's Steph Fucking Curry and a lot of NBA-ers obviously have similar range and know when to launch for the most part. I've been watching a lot of my cousins' 10-14ish year old games and it's seeped in there. They play girls and it's not as bad but I watch some of the boys games on the other courts and a lot of those kids get the ball, dribble down and then chuck from deep. Tons of bricks going up and down. It's really ugly.

The Ball's are the worst of this and they look like they're doing it for the internet videos. I saw one where the youngest was getting triple teamed on an inbounds and was looking at the phone filming and laughing. He got open and launched a really deep shot. Of course that was one of the few that went in based on the numbers. I would absolutely hate being on that team.
Whatever team drafts Lonzo is eventually going to have to sign these guys to NBDL contracts under threat of him bailing to LA or wherever.
 

mauf

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Good Morning America did a spot on the Ball family this morning. The guy who did the spot said the youngest might eventually be as good as Lonzo (but stressed it was far too soon to say), but that the middle one wouldn't be more than a solid college player.
 

allstonite

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That's what I've heard to but as Kliq says we don't really have any idea because they're playing hero ball on steroids. I haven't seen a lot of him but isn't what makes Lonzo potentially special his passing ability? The other 2 don't seem like they want to pass but maybe if they get into system in school they'll have similar talent.