Sports
LaVar Ball’s outspokenness is beneficial for his sons and the sport of basketball
By Patrick Malin ’18
April 6, 2017
Tags sports
LaVar Ball is a genius. March Madness 2017 came to an unspectacular close on Monday night, capping off three weeks of buzzer beaters and busted brackets. Some argue that University of North Carolina forward Luke Maye stole the show with his game-winning jumper against the University of Kentucky (and his attendance at his 8:00am class the next morning). Others point to the swarming defense of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, or the NCAA Championship debut of Gonzaga University. Some may even look towards the Women’s bracket where Mississippi State prevented the UCONN Huskies from winning 112 straight games. LaVar Ball, father of UCLA guard Lonzo, however, stood out as the tournament’s “shining moment.”
LaVar Ball’s three sons have vaulted to the forefront of national attention not only for their basketball abilities, but also for the outrageous soundbites from their father, LaVar. Lonzo, the oldest Ball brother, has completed his first (and only) year at UCLA, declaring for the 2017 NBA Draft following a sweet 16 loss to Kentucky. Lonzo is expected to be selected in the top-two picks in this summer’s draft, showing superstar athletic ability, shooting prowess, and basketball IQ to impress professional scouts. The middle child, LiAngelo, is only a three-star recruit who will graduate from Chino Hills High School this spring. The 6’5 guard committed to UCLA in 2015 and will join the team in his anticipated one season for the Bruins next year. 15-year old LaMelo Ball rounds out the family. LaMelo is already a five-star recruit who has verbally committed to further his basketball career, unsurprisingly, at UCLA. LaMelo, just a sophomore, has quickly earned viral fame for a 92-point performance this winter for Chino Hills and for his talent as a outstanding sharpshooter, pulling up for three-pointers from half-court.
Despite the widespread success on the court, many casual basketball fans know the Ball brothers simply for the outspokenness regarding their father, LaVar. LaVar played one season of collegiate basketball for Washington State, where he averaged an unimpressive 2.2 points per game as a starting forward. Following a failed NFL career (on the practice squad for the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers), LaVar has now transitioned his attention towards marketing his immensely talented offspring. He has created “Big Baller Brand,” a clothing line “founded on core family values, and inspired by the 3 Ball brothers,” according to the brand’s website. Big Baller Brand specializes in overpriced hats (averaging $100) and t-shirts ($60 each). LaVar has appeared on ESPN programs SportsNation and First Take, and he has conducted interviews on nearly every major media outlet in the United States.
The eccentric basketball father has become an internet phenomenon for his outlandish comments regarding his children’s, and his own, basketball abilities. LaVar has commented that his son Lonzo is better than MVP-candidate Russell Westbrook and all-time great LeBron James. He has frequently told the press that he believes his children will far exceed the productivity of back-to-back NBA MVP Stephen Curry. In addition, LaVar has claimed he could defeat Michael Jordan in a game of one-on-one, chirped Charles Barkley for his title-less career and demanded a one billion dollar shoe deal for his three sons. His comments have garnered criticism from Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, Barkley, James and many in the basketball community. Following Lonzo’s poor shooting performance in his final game for UCLA, LaVar was blamed for distracting his son from playing at a high level. Hundreds of articles have been written advocating for a silencing of the boisterous father of basketball’s most popular family.
I, however, firmly believe that LaVar’s actions are beneficial to his sons and to the sport of basketball. We are lucky to live in one of, if not the, most entertaining periods in the history of professional basketball. The game has been revolutionized in recent years, favoring a fast-paced, sharpshooting play style that has allowed players like Westbrook, Curry and James Harden to dominate. The current depth of talent in the NBA is unparalleled in the history of the league. Lonzo Ball is the perfect player for today’s NBA, and he will likely be the cornerstone to the franchise lucky enough to draft him in June. LaVar provides constant motivation to his sons and has guided them on the path to superstardom.
With constant comparisons to the NBA’s all-time greats, LaVar creates an environment where his sons buy into the reality that they can be similarly great. Watching an ESPN feature on the Ball family, one LaVar quote stuck with me: “Somebody has to be better than Michael Jordan. Why not you?” LaVar genuinely believes that his sons can redefine the league and become all-time greats in the sport. And why can’t one of the brothers become the next Greatest of All Time? Being under the influence of a vocal leader who reminds you daily that you are destined to greatness instills a real faith in a destiny bound for success. Greatness has become ingrained in the mindsets of the Ball brothers. They are hungry to prove themselves and will put in the work necessary to back-up their father’s comments. To fall short of the lofty expectations placed on the trio would represent a tragic failure.
The role of a parent in youth sports represents a difficult balance between support and interference. Many criticize LaVar for his over involvement in the careers of his sons. They claim that he distracts from on-court performance, by seeking the spotlight for himself, and that his comments entice opposition to target the Ball brothers in competition. But are LaVar’s actions truly harmful? If a child has aspirations to play a professional sport, he/she will be forced to overcome dozens of obstacles on the path to success. The Ball brothers have the potential to be excellent NBA players. The added attention and media narratives will likely result in adversity throughout their playing careers. This adversity will foster improvement. With competition relishing the opportunity to tear down basketball’s wonderkids, Lonzo, LaMelo and LiAngelo will be forced to step up their game on the court. Consistently scrutinized under the microscope of the media, the Ball brothers will be in the spotlight for every game they play. They must elevate their play to fulfill LaVar’s ambitious statements. The trio has proved capable in dealing with the consequences of their father’s comments so far, dominating the game at the high school and collegiate level.
Finally, LaVar’s entertainment value is irreplicable. He is truly a one-man show. I would happily tune into a weekly show surrounding the home life of the Ball family. Watching Lonzo and LaMelo play heated games of NBA 2K17 on XBox, hearing LaVar discuss the magical athletic powers of his famous scrambled eggs and scrutinizing the training of the NBA’s next top talents would be riveting. LaVar’s booming presentation and hilarious demeanor bring a unique voice to the sport. His intensity and passion reveal his genuine care for his sons.
LaVar Ball is a businessman, trainer, strength and conditioning instructor, marketing department, and at-home coach for his sons Lonzo, LaMelo and LiAngelo. He orders his sons to put up hundreds of shots before going to school in the morning, and keeps them on strict weightlifting regimens. Every action LaVar Ball has taken has been an intricate part of his plan to produce an NBA dynasty within his household. With an NBA lottery-bound talent and two rising NCAA Division I basketball stars, LaVar’s plan is coming to fruition before the basketball community’s eyes. From a young age, LaVar told his sons that they would be professional basketball players. Today, the Ball brothers look destined to succeed at the highest level of the sport. Although inviting an avalanche of criticism, LaVar has given his sons the tools to achieve greatness on the basketball court. The next few years will test whether LaVar’s strategy is one to be replicated, or whether his overbearing nature is harmful and preventative.