The Lonzo Ball NBA initiation tour stops back in Staples Center tonight for a matchup against All-Star John Wall who is already salivating about the encounter and can’t wait to embarrass the rookie in the name of his big mouth Daddy, Lavar.
Wall has said he will show “no mercy.”
Certain matchups you really get up for. Like when you play [Golden State Warriors guard] Steph [Curry], you definitely want to have a good game, Wall told the Washington Post Tuesday. Im playing against [Ball]. [Gortat] said what he said about me. I didnt say anything. His dad has been talking. That makes me want to go out there and lead my team and play the best I can play.
Lonzo will have his hands full facing one of the NBAs most lethal weapons in Wall. Patrick Beverly gave us an immediate presentation of how the elite defenders are going to go at young Zo. Wall can defend and he’s a terror offensively with speed that Ball can’t duplicate with jet rockets on his ZO2’s.
It’s going to be a long night for the Lakers rookie, who is getting an introduction to the game that is unprecedented as far as the scrutiny, daily analysis and the controversy surrounding LaVar Ball’s walking side show.
At this point, we all know that LaVar is going to keep saying crazy stuff. It’s part of his master marketing plan. It’s worked so far, so why would he stop now. Any publicity is good publicity when your main objective is to get attention, which will blow up your brand and keep people talking about you.
The reason for Wall’s statement on Lonzo came after LaVar made comments in recent days that the Wizards “better beware.”
Ballislife.com on Twitter
LaVar Ball’s message to the Wizards: They better beware cause Lonzo ain’t losing again. Not in the same week! https://t.co/4ksxnSRU5d https://t.co/VA8JDfRUFS
“Lonzo aint losing again!” he said after Sunday’s loss to the Pelicans. “Not in the same week!
LaVar’s overconfidence was met with laughter from Wizards center Marcin Gortat, who laughed off the statement on Twitter and offered his prediction on tonight’s battle between Zo and Wall.
Marcin Gortat on Twitter
@Ballislife man….. pleaseeeeee!!! @JohnWall will torture him for 48min
Wall had remained mostly silent, but on Tuesday he couldnt refrain from telling LaVar to shut up in so many words.
We didnt say nothing about him, nothing to him, and he says, The Wizards better be ready because he dont ever lose two in a row, Wall told reporters. Like, this is the league now. Its a different ballgame.
Im sure every time LaVar opens his mouth he sees dollar signs. I get it. Celebrity and fame is addictive and so is the money train that follows when you are one of the highest searched names on social media, and all of the media outlets cater to your outrageousness.
He’s living out every dream he ever had and he’s being treated like the Professor X of The Ball Family. Everybody wants to touch LaVar and joke with LaVar and criticize LaVar and praise LaVar. He loves it.
Theres no doubt that LaVar has been a loving dad, a No. 1 supporter of his kids and a prime example of how successful an African-American family can be when they stick together, live right, have a plan and execute that plan.
However, he is failing to understand that this isnt AAU ball or college. Everybody Lonzo faces is as nearly as good as him or better.
Wall actually tried to warn LaVar about his reckless chatter back in February when LaVar said Lonzo would be a better NBA player than two-time MVP and NBA champion Steph Curry.
JOHN WALL — NBA PLAYERS WILL PUNISH LONZO BALL… For Daddy Talkin’ Smack | TMZ Sports
NBA All-Star John Wall says NBA players — especially Steph Curry — will punish UCLA star Lonzo Ball for his father’s smack talk, saying all the hype has definitely put a target on the kid’s back.
Wall’s advice fell on deaf ears. Just three games into Lonzo’s NBA career, LaVar continues to create enemies for his son and I have to believe that eventually Lonzo wont be good with that. Sure, the rookie gets props for the way hes handled his dads unnecessary interference. Hes willing to walk through the fires that his father ignites and believes that he can extinguish these issues with his play on the court.
Being more famous than another player means NOTHING once the ball is tipped and all that matters is how you throw down baseline to baseline. Dudes are trying to eat your food every play. The last thing Zo needs is his dad pissing fools off.
Unfortunately for Lonzo and LaMelo and LiAngelo, as long as their dad is breathing, he will be talking junk. And hell be doing it from a comfortable spot in somebody’s personal luxury box. Taking all of the credit for his son’s success, while Zo has to endure the trials, tribulations, scars and battles of being the most targeted player in the NBA.
