LaVar Ball jumped the shark a long, long time ago. He’s essentially jumped every kind of shark, and has moved on to lesser marine life of multiple other varieties. He’s basically jumping tuna now.
Today, he essentially revealed his plan to create a Ball-family extended universe with the Lakers, the first steps to which involve all his kids being one-and-done players at UCLA, regardless of their respective NBA readiness, or talent levels. That could most impact the middle brother, LiAngelo.
Here are the quotes, via ESPN’s Jeff Goodman:
Multiple NBA executives said the 6-foot-5 LiAngelo, whose strength is shooting the ball, isn’t even on their draft boards.
“All my boys are gonna be one-and-done. Gelo [LiAngelo] is going [to] be one-and-done whether he’s good or bad,” LaVar said. “I’m going to put him in the draft, hope they don’t take him. Bring him into the Lakers as a free agent, let him wind up with his brother and watch how good they play together.”
Added Lonzo: “Knowing my brother, I think he’ll be ready. Look at his body; he’s already [got an] NBA-ready body. I know he can shoot. I know he has the skills. I’m confident.”
…
“I’m going to do the same thing with Melo,” LaVar said. “And we get three of the Ball boys on the Lakers together, and we gonna go championship, championship, championship, championship, championship. You think I’m playing? You saw what they did in high school.”
Yes, because so often high school success translates straight to higher levels. How delusional does one person have to be? At this point, it seems clear that LaVar believes most of his own bullshit, but we’re quickly approaching some scary territory, that could end with some accountants in the future figuring out just how much money LaVar owes his kids due to a lawsuit. That full story also includes sections on how he physically disciplined his children, as well.
Considering the most recent reports have Lonzo not exactly wowing the Lakers during their private workout, it’s fair to wonder just how much of LaVar’s plan he’s able to will into existence. And perhaps more scarily, what happens if he refuses to admit failure?
[ESPN]