Lonzo Ball

[kookoo]

Joe Namath did exactly what I said Lavar did. He went against the grain. He didn't conform and people didn't like it. Also comparing Lavar to a drug addict and domestic abuser like Johnny? Try and find someone who hasn't committed any crimes which Lavar hasn't. Don't compare him to a criminal because he isn't one. I'll give you Joe Namath but if you read what I wrote than you would know why I said Lavar is receiving some of his backlash not all of it. Also did you watch that video and what do you think of it?

Hey Lavar...

 

[kookoo]

I'm kind of interested to see how it plays out. I always approve of people being entrepreneurial and building something for themselves rather than being beholden to someone else. If Lonzo Ball was adequately educated on this whole thing and if he really does wholeheartedly endorse the idea, then whether or not his father is an asshole, it could be a great opportunity for him.

The thing is, Lonzo Ball is really betting on himself becoming a huge star on the level of a LeBron, Durant, Curry, etc. That's the only way this Big Baller Brand has any chance of making anywhere near the kind of money he would have made with someone like Nike. And even then he still probably wouldn't. Is ownership more important to him than the money he is probably losing by going through with this? Maybe. I don't know the kid.

The other part of the issue, though, is the father. Is he making sure that Lonzo knows he is most likely leaving millions on the table? I very much doubt it. While I don't necessarily hate the idea of this brand, just from hearing Lavar Ball talk, it really seems like he is just trying to cash in on his kids. Telling Nike to "give me a billion dollars" and "pay me $100 million a year for 10 years". It doesn't sound like a family operation in his mind. He doesn't sound like a father.

He sounds like an idiot when he runs his mouth, but I don't really care about that. That's probably his plan to get anyone to pay attention to his brand. Amateurish, but it's free publicity.

The fact is that he is likely costing his kids, or at least Lonzo, a lot of money, and I question whether they are fully aware of that, simply because it seems like Dad in it for himself. Maybe I'm wrong, but I doubt it.

I don't think any of this is Lonzo's decision. I actually really appreciate the kid because he's very respectful to his dad. But you can clearly see that it's Lavar's way or the highway. He even said during an interview that if any of his kids disagreed with him, they would be kicked out. It was something along the lines of "I let them make all their own decisions, but if it's not in line with what I think they can find a different place to stay." Likely on the Colin Cowherd or Skip/Shannon show.

 

[The Oi]

"I let them make all their own decisions, but if it's not in line with what I think they can find a different place to stay." Likely on the Colin Cowherd or Skip/Shannon show.

Right.

@Los216 This is why most of us don't give the benefit of the doubt to things the kids are saying that refer to the "family brand," or dad in general. Any commercial where Lonzo is reading off of a script or show where he's sitting next to his dad isn't going to convince me he isn't uncomfortable with the antics. PS he's looked pretty uncomfortable next to dad on TV in the past.

Anyways...I'm done on this one. I don't wear basketball shoes or flip flops. I don't watch ESPN unless it's to watch a sports event. I will watch the Ball brothers if they're good and I particularly like watching Lonzo. I just distrust Lavar Ball.

So you guys can have at it.

 

[Huber.]

View: https://twitter.com/CoachZachSmith/status/860313919541456896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fuproxx.com%2Fdimemag%2Flonzo-ball-shoes-logo-stolen%2F

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Joe Namath did exactly what I said Lavar did. He went against the grain. He didn't conform and people didn't like it.

Right. And he was white.

Also comparing Lavar to a drug addict and domestic abuser like Johnny?

Read what I wrote -- I specifically referred to before he flamed out in the pros. There were people who hated the "Johnny Football" persona before he was ever drafted, accused of domestic violence, etc.. Same with Marinovich and his over-controlling dad as well.

Also did you watch that video and what do you think of it?

I'm thinking it's odd you think there is some significance to it. Do you think it somehow shows what Lonzo himself thinks, as opposed to just reading a script written by his father? And before you think that's not a fair inference, it's pretty clear who is driving the bus on the shoes:

LaVar said he has been working on the shoe design “ever since my boys were born.”

http://www.foxsports.com/college-ba...ent-nike-adidas-under-armour-nba-draft-043017

As to the video itself...well, I think running uphill on blacktop is putting more stress on the knees than is wise for a future professional athlete. Other than that...I wish I could get that 2 1/2 minutes of my life back.

 

[Kbiz]

Bleh....this guy gets his own thread?

I think Lavar is a great-A asshole. I think if his son doesn't become a superstar, he's going to be left with sizable egg on his face. He potentially cost him millions of dollars.

He thinks he is some kind of marketing genius even though "Big Ballers Brand" sounds like the name left on the scrap pile when And1's name was chosen. Who the fuck is going to buy shoes for half a grand when you can get high-end Lebrons for half the price? Which recent design school grad did he commission do to their logo?

I've never rooted for a player to fail. Lavar has made me hope Lonzo is a bust just so future parents can learn a valuable lesson.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

View: https://twitter.com/CoachZachSmith/status/860313919541456896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fuproxx.com%2Fdimemag%2Flonzo-ball-shoes-logo-stolen%2F

This guy is gravy-training off his own kids. What a putz.

Hey, Sammy Davis Jr. aside, can you be a black guy and still be a putz? @The Oi

 

[Huber.]

Revealing choice of words..."my" logo. This guy is gravy-training off his own kids. What a putz.

Hey, Sammy Davis Jr. aside, can you be a black guy and still be a putz? @The Oi

That was Zach Smith that said "my logo". He is claiming Ball took his logo used it for their diabetes shoe line.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

That was Zach Smith that said "my logo" He is claiming Ball took his logo used it for their diabetes shoe line.

This twitter shit is confusing....

Now who the fuck took my Geritol?

 

[kookoo]

I am just hoping this doesn't turn into a "people only dislike him because he's black and has attitude." That sort of prejudice does exist, don't get me wrong. But I would hate Lavar if he was European, caucasian, Indian, Latino, Muslim, overweight, a vegan, ect. Nothing matters outside of his words and actions.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I am just hoping this doesn't turn into a "people only dislike him because he's black and has attitude."

Too late.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Oh shit, one thing about that video I did neglect to mention.

I did find it really funny that the script had Lonzo Ball talking about the importance of giving back to the community, while charging the members of that community $500 for a freaking shoe. Seems like he's planning on a lot more taking than giving.

That was a nice touch.

 

[The Red Viper]

Lavar is an absolute douche.

Feel for Lonzo as he seems like a nice kid and all but like RJ and Channing said, everyone would go at him once he plays in the NBA. Lavar has needlessly put a target on Lonzo's back. There's already enough pressure he has created with his bullshit.

 

[A Squared]

View: https://twitter.com/CoachZachSmith/status/860313919541456896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fuproxx.com%2Fdimemag%2Flonzo-ball-shoes-logo-stolen%2F

For comparison sake.

 

[PIP]

The thing is he knows his family gets what he's doing. They know the type of person he is already so he takes comfort in that-- everybody can rip him but it's not gonna change what his family thinks of him....He also knows he has at least 1 NBA caliber child who was already in the discussion as a potential lottery pick before he started popping off publicly as well... So he had a lottery ticket in his back pocket...This isn't Melo Trimble he's trying to promote really hard to get some teams to bite....

The amount of money he would have had to dish out for air play on the radio, a tv spot etc is all out the window now cause he's getting it promoted for free.... and not just little 30 seconds spots, but air time of 5 minutes or so just discussing it..

As a UCLA guy I was disappointed in his son's play in the tournament-- but he really didn't take a hit whatsoever publicly from the play and I'm sure they both took notice of that.... Once they lost to Kentucky his father got some attention and memes but that's all that came from it. Same thing will happen in the NBA -- the kid will show flashes, have some nice assist nights and show he can have an all around game, but he and his father knows his game doesn't translate into top dollar marketing and they're taking advantage of it now knowing that nothing is really going to come from it on the backlash front later on if he flames out as a player....