When is a parent’s push, dedication, relentless promotion and predictions of their sons’/daughters’ talent more hindrance than helpful? Perhaps when the parent is LaVar Ball and he boldly states that his son  – Lonzo Ball, who is currently only a freshman starter on the UCLA basketball team, is actually better now than NBA All-Star Stephen Curry.  Considering Stephen Curry has been called the greatest shooter in NBA history by many players and analysts, as well as named MVP twice, the statement is bold no doubt, but what is the point?  Additionally, Lonzo has two brothers in high school now that have also committed to UCLA; LiAngelo and LaMelo, respectively.  Both players are exceptional, but it is actually the younger LaMelo that may be the best of the three.  It has been said that Lonzo is the playmaker, LiAngelo is the shooter and LaMelo is the hybrid.  In fact, just a few weeks ago, he racked up 92 points in one game!  Shortly after, their dad, LaVar went so far as to say that his kids were more poised to make a dramatic impact to the NBA than Lebron James’ kids! It was this statement combined with the Lonzo statement that crossed the line for many.

Although it is true that Lonzo has made an immediate and positive impact to UCLA, even so much as being the driving force that can take them far into the March Madness brackets, he is only 30 games into his college career.   However, he is definitely going to the draft, but because of these striking comments, where he may have been picked #2 or #3, professional teams have management layers that don’t take particularly kindly to heavily involved loud-mouth parents that constantly bark at the press with orders of how their children should be placed, played or coached.  What this means is that a #2 pick could now turn into a #5 pick and that changes teams, environments and ultimately the future success Lonzo may have.  Additionally, by comparing your sons chances of impact to those of NBA star Lebron James’ , you are basically asking for a fight, or at least alienation.  Lebron already told LaVar through the press to keep his sons out of his comments. And again, what is the point?  You see, it is one thing to be behind your child and encourage, coach and push them, but is quite another thing to mass market them with bold comparative statements that end up pitting them against legends in their field.  What you end up with are pissed off stars like Lebron and Steph, that have built up connections to the league, fans and merchandize companies all rooting against you.  In some cases, actual deals that could have been made, may not go forward if NBA stars have any influence.

In yet another outlandish act of provocation, LaVar has stated that he is looking for a billion dollar shoe deal for the family.  He claims that it has to be there, and he will accept nothing less.  Only problem is that he first has to wait until his youngest child completes his first year of college, so that is 3 years out.  Until then, what happens if Lonzo is now the target of NBA stars directly targeting him just to prove that he will never be the biggest star to ever grace the parquet floors of the NBA?  What happens if the press vilifies him if he does not score at least 16 points each game?  Will the unnecessary pressure his father chose to put on him before he even donned an NBA jersey begin to backfire?  When the only way to fulfill the father’s prophecy is to be the best NBA player in history, it would be like trying to shoot a three-pointer while blind-folded facing the wrong way, and oh yeah, no one passes you the ball.

 

 (From Left to Right the Ball Family: LiAngelo, LaVar, Lonzo, and LaMelo)