Lonzo Ball has handled the awkwardness of having an outspoken father like LaVar about as well as the Los Angeles Lakers could expect him to, but that does not mean the team believes there is no way the rookie’s play will be negatively impacted by it.
In a lengthy piece examining the complicated relationship between LaVar Ball and the Lakers, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that the Lakers are starting to become concerned about the negative effect LaVar’s constant headline-producing antics could have on Lonzo.
Lonzo did little to quell the firestorm Sunday morning when he said he’d “play for any coach” and did not specifically support Walton. A source close to the player said he’s more concerned with establishing himself in the league and helping the team get out of its recent funk than wading into a controversy between his dad and the coach. Privately, there are those in the Lakers organization who have begun to worry about the toll that this tightrope act will take on the 20-year-old point guard if it continues.
We should be used to LaVar making outlandish remarks by now, but the Big Baller Brand founder continues to find ways to keep himself in the news. His most recent rant was arguably one of his most damaging, as Ball seems to be on a mission to get Lakers head coach Luke Walton fired.
The difference now is coaches from around the NBA are starting to take aim at LaVar, with talk that some of them could boycott ESPN if the network continues to give the elder Ball a voice.
Considering he is just 20, it’s remarkable how well Lonzo Ball handles the media storm his father constantly creates. But the Lakers have to be as concerned about his 35 percent shooting as they are with their disappointing 12-27 record. If they continue to lose games and LaVar bashes the team all season, free agents may decide the circus in L.A. is one they don’t want to be a part of. That would be bad for everyone.
