"You're terrible, son" - When LaVar Ball expressed frustration in scathing critique of LaMelo Ball's game after egregious turnovers
Before LaMelo Ball became one of the best young NBA stars, he was playing at his father LaVar Ball's league and overseas. One of LaMelo's first stops was Lithuania, wherein the then-teenager struggled. He was even called out by LaVar for his poor play after a loss.
In an episode of the short-lived Ball in the Family series back in 2018, LaVar was not happy with LaMelo's performance for the Los Angeles Ballers against Jonava. He had 10 turnovers and numerous missed assignments on defense. The father of three didn't mince his words critiquing his youngest son.
"You're terrible, son," LaVar said. "I thought you was better than that, man. You think you're bigger than what you are and you're not sh*t. You're not a good leader, son, because you're not focused on the game. You ain't getting nobody to the league playing like that.
He added:
"Your mind gotta be super strong, and you losing it right now because you caught up in the hype. I’m gonna tell you this, if you don’t wanna play basketball, you need to go do something else."
LaMelo Ball would end up listening to his father and would look at the game from a different perspective. Ball ended up signing with the Illawarra Hawks in the National Basketball League in Australia. He was named NBL Rookie of the Year before announcing his entry to the 2020 NBA Draft.
His play in Australia helped him increase his stock from a potential second-round selection to the No. 3 pick. The Charlotte Hornets needed a franchise player, and Ball didn't disappoint. He won the 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year award and was already an All-Star in his second season.
However, Ball was plagued by injury problems in back-to-back seasons. The Hornets are still terrible, but he's among the best players in the NBA today. He's averaging 29.4 points per game this season, which is fourth behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic.
Kyrie Irving praises LaMelo Ball and his brothers after Monday's duel
LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets won their third game in a row on Monday after beating the Dallas Mavericks 110-105. Ball had a duel with Kyrie Irving, who finished with 33 points, four rebounds, and three assists. The Hornets guard had 23 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Irving had nothing but praise for LaMelo and his two older brothers, Lonzo and LiAnegelo Ball.
"He's got good pedigree, man," Irving said. "He comes from a family that has pros. Lonzo's helped him out a lot. Obviously, playing with Gelo, too. They have a tight-knit group. I feel like that's always led to him being as confident as he is as a young player, playing against older guys, and having brothers that beat up on him a little bit."
Lonzo Ball currently plays for the Chicago Bulls, while LiAngelo Ball has broken out as a rapper with his viral hit Tweaker.