LaVar Ball defends son Lonzo, claps back at Patrick Beverley
What's the story?
The outspoken father of Los Angeles Lakers' rookie Lonzo Ball is at it already just one game into the season. LaVar Ball spoke with ESPN after Lonzo's Laker debut about words that Los Angeles Clippers' guard Patrick Beverley said about his son.
In case you didn't know...
After the Clippers beat the Lakers 108-92 on Thursday, Beverley was heard saying the following, "Weak ass m-----f-----. Bring him out on the court with me and I will tear his ass up." Many assume those words were directed at Lonzo who didn't have the best of debuts on Thursday with 3 points, 4 assists, and 9 rebounds on 1 for 6 shooting.
The heart of the matter...
LaVar Ball would join Stephen A. Smith and Neil Everett on ESPN's postgame coverage not only to argue with Smith about Ball's performance but the address Beverley's comments as well.
Take a look at those comments from LaVar Ball below:
"And your check still ain't going to go no higher than what it is. Yeah, you shut him down. OK ... Who is Patrick Beverley? He played all last year and nobody said nothing about him. Now we are looking at your first game. Why? Because Lonzo's name is attached to it."
Since LaVar doesn't know who Beverley is, he was on the All-NBA Defensive First team last season as well as the second team in the 2013-14 season. He also won the skills competition at the 2015 NBA All-Star Game.
What's next?
Lonzo Ball and the Los Angeles Lakers (and most likely LaVar as well) will travel to Phoenix on Friday night to take on the Suns. This is a game that the Suns are currently favored by three points to win.
Author's take...
I don't understand why ESPN puts LaVar Ball on television, but I guess he gets people talking. Every time Lonzo has a poor game, LaVar comes up with an excuse, this time it was his foot.
It only took one game into Lonzo's pro career for LaVar to create headlines. If Lonzo's play lackluster play continues, LaVar will be the only one creating headlines for this family.