In an appearance on the ‘Angel Reese Show,’ NBA point guard Lonzo Ball gave some insight on what it’s like to have LaVar as his dad. Growing up, Lonzo admitted that his father used brutal methods to try and bring out the best in his boys.
“He made it clear that it was needed to get where you want to go,” said Ball. “So, we knew where it was coming from, a place of love. It was definitely tough sometimes, your dad being that hard on you. But, ultimately, I think it made us better people and better basketball players, so I thank him for it.”
As the oldest of three Ball children, Lonzo was the first one to make the NBA and the first one to give his family the celebrity spotlight. As he was making a name for himself at UCLA, the world got to know more and more about his family, and his dad, LaVar, who has been pushing them from the very beginning.
Despite some experience at college, LaVar did not play professional hoops. Instead, he lived vicariously through his children, whom he trained to be ballers from 10 months old. He was their full-time coach and trainer and did whatever he felt was necessary for their success in the sport. He even made LaMelo Ball switch shooting hands after being born left-handed.
By the time Lonzo was old enough to go pro, LaVar devised a plan to get his son as much attention as possible. As perhaps the most outspoken NBA parent of all time, LaVar was always making news for one of his outrageous or hyperbolic comments. Over the years, he’s made one wacky claim after another, including being able to beat Michael Jordan and that Lonzo Ball had nothing to learn from LeBron James.
Early on in his career, Lonzo turned to his dad for almost everything, and he was still wearing the family’s signature ‘Big Baller Brand’ sneakers during game days. Of course, LaVar’s involvement eventually took a hit as Lonzo began to separate himself from the family name. After Zo was finally traded by the Lakers, he faded a lot from the media spotlight and had to focus on his health as his body broke down.
Still, his dad, LaVar, was continuing to work behind the scenes to set up his other boys (LaMelo and LiAngelo) for success. Today, two of his three sons are in the NBA, while his third son became an overnight hip-hop sensation with the hit song ‘Tweaker.’
As for LaVar, he’s been through a lot over the past few years after getting his foot amputated. He’s much quieter than he used to be but still carries that same pride and boldness that made him so iconic all those years ago. Some people may never understand the impact he had on the lives of the Ball brothers, but they know that they wouldn’t be who they are today without the tough love approach that he used on them growing up. He prepared them for any battle, and now he’s seeing it rewarded with generational success.
