His son, Lonzo, may be playing for the Los Angeles Lakers but LaVar Ball said team president Magic Johnson cannot dictate to him what to do. In an interview with Bill Oram of the SoCal News Group, LaVar said Magic will have no problems with what he’s doing because the basketball legend can’t tell him what to do. LaVar also advised Magic to “worry about Lonzo.” During the Lakers’ media day, Johnson said he will be more concerned about Lonzo’s affairs on and off the court rather than his father’s controversial moves and statements. Johnson, in an interview with Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN, said he will only concern himself with Lonzo's off-court activities that affect his performance with the team.
The Lakers took Ball as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 Draft, hoping that he could develop into a franchise player who will turn the franchise around. However, he scored just five points on 2-for-9 shooting in their 108-99 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, he showed his all-around game by hauling down seven boards, issuing eight dimes and recording two steals.
LaVar Ball a magnet for controversies
Weeks heading into the 2017 NBA Draft, LaVar had verbal tussles with several current and former players, including LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and Charles Barkley. Before the Draft, LaVar boasted that his son is a better shooter than Golden State Warriors’ point guard and two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) Stephen Curry.
LaVar also declared that he could beat Michael Jordan in a game of one-on-one during his prime. LaVar also had a verbal exchange with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid after he criticized Lonzo online. James also took exception about Ball’s pronouncement that his children are better prepared for basketball in the future compared to the sons of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ superstar.
Recently, LaVar insulted two-time MVP Steve Nash by calling him short and slow after reports surfaced that Lonzo will work out with the former Lakers playmaker.
LaVar to pull out LaMelo from Chino Hills HS
Recently, LaVar announced his plan to pull out his son, LaMelo, from the Chino Hills High School and home-school him over the next two years before he enters college.
LaVar told ESPN that he doesn’t want any distraction for LaMelo before he enters college at UCLA, the school of his older brother, Lonzo. The 16-year-old LaMelo is committed to UCLA for the 2019 class. Chino Hills had a change in coaching staff, hiring Dennis Latimore as its new head coach.