Steve Nash earned his reputation as one of the best point guards in the NBA with his speed, ball-handling abilities, and passing skills. During his storied 18-year playing career with the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers, Nash won back-to-back MVP trophies in 2005 and 2006, selected as an All-Star eight times and made it to the All-NBA First Team three times from 2005 to 2007. When he retired in 2015, Nash was third in the NBA all-time assists leaders with 10,335 dimes. With these accomplishments, any up and coming player would want to work out with Nash.
However, LaVar Ball said he doesn’t want Nash to work out with his son, Lonzo, who was taken 2nd overall by the Lakers in the 2017 NBA Draft. LaVar made the denial after reports surfaced that Nash had started working out with Lonzo. “What Steve Nash going to teach my boy? He’s short and slow, man. Come on,” LaVar told Ryan Ward of ClutchPoints.
LaVar’s statement came as no surprise
LaVar’s pronouncement came as no surprise as he already maligned some of the game’s best players in the past. LaVar earlier declared that he can beat Michael Jordan in a game of one-on-one during his prime. He also boasted that Lonzo is a better player than two-time MVP Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. LaVar also had a verbal tussle with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid when the latter commented on a tweet by teammate Ben Simmons, who posted on his Twitter account “Crazy Pills," in obvious reference to LaVar.
Embiid told Simmons via Twitter to “dunk on him so hard that his daddy runs on the court to save him”, referring to Lonzo. LaVar did not take Embiid and Simmons’ tweets sitting down, ripping the two 76ers players during an interview with 97.5 The Fanatic. LaVar mentioned the Sixers’ losing record and the injuries that delayed the entry of both Simmons and Embiid to the NBA.
Ball also earned LeBron’s ire
LaVar also earned LeBron James’ ire after he made critical comments about the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar’s kids. LaVar said his children are better prepared for basketball in the future compared to James’ sons. LeBron responded by saying: “Keep my kids' name out of your mouth, keep my family out of your mouth.” After rumors surfaced that James could join the team in 2018, LaVar changed his tune to a friendly one regarding the Cavaliers superstar. Several times, LaVar declared that James and his son could carry the Lakers to the championship if they will join forces in the future.
