NBA: Damnit, LaVar Ball Was Right About His Families Legacy
LaVar Ball might be a bit off his rocker at times. He’s brash, in-your-face style has rubbed many the wrong way. However, we need to give the Big Baller Brand patriarch the credit he’s entitled to. LaVar said his family would produce NBA All-Stars. While we can’t say LiAngelo is doing what he can to prove that proclamation correct, LaMelo and Lonzo are making their papa look like Aristotle.
The Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls have been blessed to feature the Ball brothers on their rosters. Chicago signed Lonzo in the offseason. The Bulls could be the league’s best team outside of Miami. The Hornets selected LaMelo at number 3 in the 2020 NBA Draft. They’ve gotten their money’s worth thus far.
It’s difficult to not grasp how impactful the Ball Bro’s actually are. They’ve quite literally changed the fortunes of their respective team’s fortunes, and the NBA as well.
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Let’s start the conversation with LaMelo Ball. His jersey was the top-selling NBA jersey in all of Australia. We’ve seen numerous talents claim the country as their own with Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons, Matthew Dellevadova, Joe Ingles being some of those. LaMelo played with the Illawarra Hawks of the NBL. He’s not a native or at any point claimed citizenship. LaMelo played in their pro basketball league for one season. The youngest Ball brother outsold all the aforementioned players and stars such as LeBron, Steph, and Giannis. Also, Puma saw an increase in their stock as LaMelo signed with them before his NBA debut.
Lonzo doesn’t have the draw of his brother outside of the USA. As far as casual fans go, he’s more well-known. Playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, Lonzo has had the spotlight on him for years. He was Magic Johnson’s handpicked player. Many thought of him as the next “Showtime”.
Now, in Chicago, he once again takes center stage. His popularity will increase as the team goes through the season (especially if they keep winning). Playing with the same Bulls franchise that gave us Micheal Jordan and Derrick Rose, this is where Lonzo needs to be.
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In terms of on-court play, LaMelo is a far more electric player than his older brother. In 8 games thus far, Melo has averaged 20.1 points and 6.1 assists. LaMelo takes 7.4 three-point shots per game, good for 26th in the NBA. Of those 25 players ahead of him, only 12 average more points than LaMelo. The cherry on top, only three other players in the NBA average more points, assists, and 3-pt attempts per game (Steph, Luka, LeBron) than LaMelo Ball.
Lonzo does not have the eye-opening stats of his brother. Lonzo might be the better overall player. The oldest Ball bro is 4th among PGs in steals and 2nd in blocks. LaMelo beats him just about every other statistical category, but that’s not saying Lonzo isn’t as good. There is a reason Chicago has been such a good unit this season. They’ve lacked a true star PG for some time. Lonzo is a true catalyst to the Bulls’ success.
While we can’t predict the future for the Ball brothers, it’s not shameful to admit they’ve made an impact on the NBA. All-Star berths will come for both in due time. In LaMelo’s case, we might be seeing some first-team All-NBA and possibly MVP awards (wishful thinking). Lonzo will assuredly make a slew of All-NBA defensive teams. We also can’t count out the possibility of the two leading their teams to titles. (Chicago could very well this season)
LaVar Ball told us we’d be seeing the future of the NBA when his children made their emergence. We refused to listen to him. The shock jocks who became fed up with his antics must come to grips with him being right.
If you want to play devil’s advocate, LiAngelo is a bust. However, 2 out of 3 isn’t bad for a family legacy. This isn’t some Plumlee, Zeller, Holiday, Antetokounmpo, situation where you have one mega-star or a few role players. Lonzo and LaMelo are stars right now (LiAngelo doesn’t matter). The NBA world just needs to accept that LaVar was right. I suppose that’s much easier said than done.
Image Source: RICHARD MACKSON, USA TODAY SPORTS
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
