LaVar Ball has been relatively silent since Lonzo Ball joined the New Orleans Pelicans, but he’s back with a terrible take about Zion Williamson.
We knew it was only a matter of time before LaVar Ball started making headlines for all the wrong reasons. The elder Ball has been largely invisible since his son Lonzo Ball joined the New Orleans Pelicans, allowing his son to flourish while he took a back seat.
LaVar has always been outspoken about his sons and their immense talent, but this time his helicopter parenting and paternal boasting went too far.
He decided to throw Zion Williamson under the bus in a take that couldn’t be more incorrect.
During a recent appearance on Complex’s podcast “Load Management,” LaVar had this misplaced assessment of Lonzo Ball’s effect on teammate Zion Williamson:
"Look what happened to Kuzma (this year). They thought I was crazy when I was telling them Lonzo made Kuzma." 😂
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) May 12, 2020
Lavar says without Lonzo, Zion wouldn't have the buzz.
Episode: https://t.co/gq3yj65s1U pic.twitter.com/FCAEF4wv7C
It’s not as if LaVar is totally wrong here, Lonzo Ball’s play at point guard obviously helped Zion Williamson and teammate Brandon Ingram, though Kyle Kuzma has a pretty good point guard by the name of LeBron James.
If he had left it at that, it could be disregarded as a father bragging on his son, but when he was flippant about Zion Williamson’s talent, he went too far. LaVar said:
"“I don’t care how fast you can run and jump, if you ain’t got nobody to get you that ball, guess what you going to be doing? Running and jumping out there for nothing.”"
Running and jumping for nothing? Was he watching the same Zion Williamson?
Zion may not be a polished player yet, but the guy averaged 23.6 points and 6.5 rebounds in his first 19 games as a 19-year-old rookie.
Lonzo and Zion quickly formed an exciting duo and Lonzo’s pinpoint alley-oops were a big part of that, but if Zion is not up there to catch them then, using LaVar’s logic, Lonzo is out there just “throwing the ball for nothing.”
There was absolutely no reason to take a dig at Zion, especially considering the amount of hype Lonzo and the New Orleans Pelicans have gotten specifically because of Zion’s potential.
This isn’t the first time LaVar has been dead wrong and likely won’t be the last, but he should rethink this strategy if he thinks it is going to help Lonzo Ball get more attention.
It might, but not the kind Lonzo wants or seeks himself.
LaVar is just out there “talking for nothing” and doesn’t seem to understand the symbiotic relationship Zion Williamson has with his son.