LaVar Ball’s credibility on the line with JBA

Although “LaVar Ball’s credibility” might strike some people as an oxymoron, it’s on the line.

Repeatedly he has said he started the Junior Basketball Association (JBA) because he wanted to help young pro hopefuls who weren’t interested in playing college basketball. Now we’ll see if he’s serious about protecting those players from abuse.

Ball and JBA officials have remained silent since Thursday night, when Ed- ward Denard, head coach of the Chicago Ballers, bullied Montrell Dixson, a forward for the Ballers, during their game against the Seattle Ballers.

During a timeout late in the game, Denard twice used his fists to shove Dixson in the chest and later knocked his forehead against the side of Dixson’s face.

Denard also verbally abused Dixson in an incident captured during the game’s broadcast on Facebook.

“Get the (expletive) ball. Stop being a (expletive),” Denard snapped before knocking his forehead against Dixson’s face.

Dixson replied with inaudible re- marks, and Denard got back in his face.

“What you gonna do?” the coach said. “What you gonna to do, huh? What the (expletive) you going to do?”

If LaVar doesn’t condemn the coach’s behavior, he’s essentially condoning it.

Dixson, who kept his cool during the incident, posted a response on Facebook.

“I’ll cut the record straight as of now!” he wrote Friday. “I didn’t react like everybody wanted me to cause I know how to keep my composure when needed to (100 percent). If I would’ve acted crazy, I’d be the kid know for fightin his coach on national TV.”

Denard has not responded to requests for comment via text message and social media. But that’s of secondary concern.

Of greater significance is how LaVar Ball, despite establishing he has one of the loudest mouths in sports, has kept it shut publicly regarding the incident.

The Chicago Ballers are scheduled to play again Thursday against the Dallas Ballers in Dallas. Denard should not be coaching but rather serving no less than a one-game suspension for roughing up Dixson.

If Denard is coaching Thursday night, shame on the JBA — and double shame on LaVar.