Ball’s ability not the problem
NEW YORK - Lonzo Ball sat behind a microphone inside a midtown Manhattan hotel Wednesday afternoon, reporters from around the world pointing tape recorders and video cameras in his direction and peppering him with questions. Given how camera-friendly Ball's father, LaVar, has become in recent months, one could be forgiven for assuming his son would be similarly loquacious.
In the span of about three minutes, however, 16 questions were asked and answered by the former UCLA star. Most of his answers were roughly 10 words or less. All of his responses were polite, offered with a slight smile. The 19year-old exhibited a polish rarely seen among even seasoned interview subjects - let alone among a room of teenagers on the eve of one of the biggest days of their lives. Of course, LaVar was a popular topic. "To tell you the truth? I don't know," Ball said with a smile and a shake of his head Wednesday, when asked how many times he's been asked about his father. "Too many times.
"I'd like it to be [just about basketball]. But, living in reality, probably not."
And there it is - the central concern about Lonzo Ball: Can one separate the father's bluster from the son's play? Can the preternaturally talented 6-foot-6 point guard prospect who grew up just 90 minutes from the Los Angeles Lakers practice facility grab the reins of a storied franchise that has struggled for relevancy in the post-Kobe Bryant era?
If he can, one thing is certain: He will do it by playing his way out from his father's shadow.
When Ball is drafted Thursday night - and just about every NBA observer expects the Lakers to take him No. 2 overall - the focus will finally shift to what he can do on the court, and his first opportunity will be at the Las Vegas Summer League next month.
But the past two months, since UCLA's season ended in a Sweet 16 loss to Kentucky, have instead been dominated by LaVar. Alarger-than-life presence both physically (he's 6-6 and north of 250 pounds, having spent time on the practice squads of the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers after spending one season as a reserve at Washington State as a basketball player in college) and emotionally, making one outlandish statement after another over the past few months as his son has prepared to become a pro.
He claimed Lonzo was better than Stephen Curry, then said he was better than LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. LaVar said, despite his own modest college stats, he could beat Michael Jordan in a game of one-on-one. He said that the family shoe company, the Big Baller Brand, will one day compete with Nike. He's gone on ESPN's "First Take" and debated with Stephen A. Smith.
"LaVar is a household name now, basically," said T.J. Leaf, Ball's college teammate who is also expected to be a first-round pick Thursday, said with a smile. ". . . LaVar, he's bold, he's going to say what he's going to say, and people like it."
LaVar's personality, and the attention that's come with it, has led many to wonder if that will impact his son once he reached the NBA. Lonzo deflected the question Wednesday.
"If they do, that's on them," he said. "It doesn't really affect me."
And, according to two talent evaluators, it doesn't have any affect on how they view Ball's draft stock.
"You take into account the dad, to some extent, but ultimately talent/team structure wins out," said one executive.