LaVar Ball has never been one to shy away from making bold statements about his sons and their basketball abilities. In a recent interview with Vlad Lyubovny on VladTV, LaVar delved deeper into his perspectives, particularly around his eldest son, Lonzo Ball.
Asserting his son’s capabilities, LaVar made a bold comparison between Lonzo and Golden State Warriors‘ star, Stephen Curry. Without hesitation, he claimed Lonzo to be “stronger, faster, [and to] shoot better” than Curry, adding, “put him in the right predicament. Let’s go. Longer, younger, just the notoriety that he got.”
Questioning the sudden influx of mentoring offers from Kobe Bryant for Lonzo, LaVar stated, “Why I need mentoring? Let me tell folks, I always say this, don’t try to mentor my son now after I ain’t got him there.” He challenges the authenticity of these offers, emphasizing the timing: “Where were you to mentor him when he was five or seven years old or ten? Come mentoring now before he’s a superstar or before you can get some light on him. Don’t come trying to train my son now.”
Another significant highlight from the interview was LaVar’s take on advice from NBA legends. When pressed on the idea of Lonzo receiving guidance from the late Kobe Bryant, LaVar was clear in his stance. He insinuated that Lonzo achieved his current success without needing such advice and that external mentoring was redundant at this stage.
These statements, like many of LaVar’s past comments, are sure to stir conversations in the basketball community. While some might see them as overly confident or even brash, they align with LaVar Ball’s consistent message of belief in his sons and their abilities. As Lonzo Ball’s career continues to unfold, only time will tell if LaVar’s assertions hold up against the test of the NBA’s rigorous competition.
Is Lonzo Ball Better Than Stephen Curry?
Lonzo Ball’s potential in the NBA remains a topic of discussion, especially given his extended injury hiatus. After sitting out for a season and a half due to injuries and with the likelihood of missing yet another season, questions about his future loom large. While with the Chicago Bulls, Ball exhibited flashes of brilliance and demonstrated that he could potentially rank among the top point guards in the NBA. However, staying healthy has been a significant hurdle for him, hampering consistent progression in his career.
On the other hand, Stephen Curry continues to solidify his legendary status. In 2022, Curry achieved his 4th NBA title and, notably, clinched his first NBA Finals MVP. At 35, he’s still demonstrating that he’s the premier point guard in the league. His shooting range, playmaking abilities, and leadership on the court are unparalleled.
In the grand tapestry of NBA history, perhaps only Magic Johnson can pose a genuine debate against Curry for the title of the best point guard, and even that is a contentious point. With all due respect to Lonzo Ball and his potential, comparing him to Curry at this juncture is premature. Ball has a long, challenging journey ahead before entering such elite conversations.
Lonzo Ball Would Have Benefited From Training Under Kobe Bryant
Lonzo Ball’s career, filled with potential, promise, and pitfalls, often draws attention to the choices made by his family, particularly his father, LaVar Ball. One significant missed opportunity was LaVar’s decision to decline Kobe Bryant’s offer to train Lonzo. This decision became even more poignant after the tragic passing of Kobe in 2020, which meant that the chance for such mentorship was forever lost.
Training under an NBA legend like Kobe Bryant would have been transformative for Lonzo. Bryant, renowned for his unmatched work ethic, toughness, and hunger for victory, could have instilled in Ball a level of tenacity that few possess. Beyond the mental and leadership attributes, Kobe’s guidance on the court would have been invaluable. He could have sharpened Lonzo’s shooting prowess, refined his mid-range game, and even introduced post moves, elements that made Bryant one of the most versatile players in NBA history.
The partnership could have been mutually beneficial, with Kobe imparting his knowledge and Lonzo serving as a testament to Bryant’s mentoring abilities. Unfortunately, what could have been a formative and invaluable mentorship remains one of the many “what ifs” in the NBA narrative.
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