Lavar Ball

[chiboiler7]

Something about this guy really rubs me the wrong way.

I just watched an ESPN clip of him today and found out he is pushing is own clothing line (Big Baller Brands) in the midst of his sons success at UCLA. The whole thing just screams opportunism and snake oils salesman, and all at his sons expense. It's all cute now, but I'm interested to see how life in the NBA is for Ball is if daddy is sounding off after every game.

What do you all think?

 

[Franchise021]

Something about this guy really rubs me the wrong way.

I just watched an ESPN clip of him today and found out he is pushing is own clothing line (Big Baller Brands) in the midst of his sons success at UCLA. The whole thing just screams opportunism and snake oils salesman, and all at his sons expense. It's all cute now, but I'm interested to see how life in the NBA is for Ball is if daddy is sounding off after every game.

What do you all think?

I think of O'Doyle Rules in Billy Madison every time I hear this clown talk. Just sayin

 

[TwinDegrees2]

Something about this guy really rubs me the wrong way.

I just watched an ESPN clip of him today and found out he is pushing is own clothing line (Big Baller Brands) in the midst of his sons success at UCLA. The whole thing just screams opportunism and snake oils salesman, and all at his sons expense. It's all cute now, but I'm interested to see how life in the NBA is for Ball is if daddy is sounding off after every game.

What do you all think?

Lonzo is a pure talent and I love watching him play but his old man needs to be hit with a two by four.

 

[BoilerDeac]

I didn't like him at first, but he made a good point - the NCAA exploits these kids more than anybody.

He's a Dad with really talented kids who is maybe a little too 'in your face' or brash about it, but he's just a parent with a huge platform. Parents like this exist for ALL sports. Wouldn't be the way I would go about it, but who am I to say?

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

I didn't like him at first, but he made a good point - the NCAA exploits these kids more than anybody.

He's a Dad with really talented kids who is maybe a little too 'in your face' or brash about it, but he's just a parent with a huge platform. Parents like this exist for ALL sports. Wouldn't be the way I would go about it, but who am I to say?

Yes...not my style either, but who am I to question a father's dealings with his own children when it comes to professional sports opportunities. IIRC, some people said similar things about Richard Williams and his talented daughters. They turned out "okay."

 

[chiboiler7]

I didn't like him at first, but he made a good point - the NCAA exploits these kids more than anybody.

He's a Dad with really talented kids who is maybe a little too 'in your face' or brash about it, but he's just a parent with a huge platform. Parents like this exist for ALL sports. Wouldn't be the way I would go about it, but who am I to say?

Great points. NCAA does exploit them, and even at Lonzo's age you really aren't able to think for yourself yet so it's good to have a parent or mentor in that case.

I think it was Big Baller Brands which really put me over the edge lol.

 

[FirstDownB]

I think it was Big Baller Brands which really put me over the edge lol.

That rubs me the wrong way too. Kind of crosses the line between "I want to support my kid's interests and nurture his unique talents" and "I'm going to train my kid hard and turn him into my personal cash cow".

Don't necessarily agree it is the same as what the NCAA is doing. First, the NCAA is not your father. It doesn't have the same relationship and obligations. Second, the NCAA makes its money based on the names on the front of the jersey. UCLA would be just fine without the Balls. In fact you could argue the Balls and their "brand" are benefitting from the UCLA name and exposure.

 

[BoilerDeac]

That rubs me the wrong way too. Kind of crosses the line between "I want to support my kid's interests and nurture his unique talents" and "I'm going to train my kid hard and turn him into my personal cash cow".

Don't necessarily agree it is the same as what the NCAA is doing. First, the NCAA is not your father. It doesn't have the same relationship and obligations. Second, the NCAA makes its money based on the names on the front of the jersey. UCLA would be just fine without the Balls. In fact you could argue the Balls and their "brand" are benefitting from the UCLA name and exposure.

Good points. The brand thing irked me a bit initially as well. But why should the father have to bow down to the big boys like the Jordan brand? Should he just give in and let his kids be their cash cows?

Yes, the NCAA makes its money based on the name on the front, but the name on the front is the primary beneficiary of the name on the. back - aka Lonzo as a player and marketing tool.

 

[YoungBoiler]

"Big Baller Brands"..... what a cheesy name for a clothing line.

 

[depthcharge623]

I didn't like him at first, but he made a good point - the NCAA exploits these kids more than anybody.

He's a Dad with really talented kids who is maybe a little too 'in your face' or brash about it, but he's just a parent with a huge platform. Parents like this exist for ALL sports. Wouldn't be the way I would go about it, but who am I to say?

I hated those parents growing up. They were jerk to their own kids, as well as coaches and other kids on the team. I don't think this sort of thing should be encouraged at all, and think it's a really dumb excuse to point to the fact that many parents act this way.

 

[New Pal Boiler]

That rubs me the wrong way too. Kind of crosses the line between "I want to support my kid's interests and nurture his unique talents" and "I'm going to train my kid hard and turn him into my personal cash cow".

Don't necessarily agree it is the same as what the NCAA is doing. First, the NCAA is not your father. It doesn't have the same relationship and obligations. Second, the NCAA makes its money based on the names on the front of the jersey. UCLA would be just fine without the Balls. In fact you could argue the Balls and their "brand" are benefitting from the UCLA name and exposure.

Look at it another way:
What better way to let Lonzo ball profit from his brand, than to create a clothing line and let him reap some of the proceeds while he's still in college? Some of that money is flowing down to the boys, whereas NONE of the Nike money would be. I think it's a genius maneuver around NCAA rules.

Now, when Lonzo goes pro, can his dad afford to pay him what Nike, UA, Adidas, etc can offer? That will be interesting. He'll have to give him a piece of the company as part of the comp package.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

"Big Baller Brands"..... what a cheesy name for a clothing line.

It's a three 'B's' thing because he has three son's with the last name Ball. It'll sell well based on name alone and I'm sure he is already rolling in the orders from UCLA students alone.

 

[FirstDownB]

Look at it another way:
What better way to let Lonzo ball profit from his brand, than to create a clothing line and let him reap some of the proceeds while he's still in college? Some of that money is flowing down to the boys, whereas NONE of the Nike money would be. I think it's a genius maneuver around NCAA rules.

Now, when Lonzo goes pro, can his dad afford to pay him what Nike, UA, Adidas, etc can offer? That will be interesting. He'll have to give him a piece of the company as part of the comp package.

That's not a bad point. Still seems a little shady, especially when these are children you have ridden hard to make them what they are. I suppose if it is the kids truly end up better for it that's one thing, but I can't help but see some Joe Jackson or Billy Ray Cyrus here.

I also don't buy the idea that college basketball players have a "brand" apart from the school the play for. They are relatively unknown to the general sports fan prior to arriving on campus. And I can't imagine BBB merch will sell all that well to the college basketball crowd without anything UCLA on it. These one and done players are so short lived at the collegiate level, I would think by the time you build a brand you are in the NBA.

 

[NVBoilerFan]

"Big Baller Brands"..... what a cheesy name for a clothing line.

AC/DC could provide the theme song for commercials.

 

[BoilerDeac]

I hated those parents growing up. They were jerk to their own kids, as well as coaches and other kids on the team. I don't think this sort of thing should be encouraged at all, and think it's a really dumb excuse to point to the fact that many parents act this way.

All fair points. But do you know if Mr. Ball yells and screams at his kids and is a jerk? I don't think we can fairly say that.

 

[depthcharge623]

All fair points. But do you know if Mr. Ball yells and screams at his kids and is a jerk? I don't think we can fairly say that.

I'm just making an inductive inference based on the fact that all the most vocal promoters I saw growing up were also the ones who were jerks. It's not an airtight argument, but it seems likely to me.

 

[Dryfly88]

I think when he said he "picked" his wife because of athletic offspring he lost some points from me. I can't really put my finger on it, but after watching the whole story on ESPN I just felt a little dirty. He just comes across as slimy to me. Full disclosure, I felt the same way about Mr. Williams and Mr. Woods when their stories first came out many years ago and their athletic careers turned out okay!

 

[snowsquirrel11]

Something about this guy really rubs me the wrong way.

I just watched an ESPN clip of him today and found out he is pushing is own clothing line (Big Baller Brands) in the midst of his sons success at UCLA. The whole thing just screams opportunism and snake oils salesman, and all at his sons expense. It's all cute now, but I'm interested to see how life in the NBA is for Ball is if daddy is sounding off after every game.

What do you all think?

Synonyms for exploit: utilize, harness, use, make use of, turn/put to good use, make the most of, capitalize. Our entire economy is based on exploiting things. He is creating a brand which will benefit his children and himself, please tell me HOW is this at his son's expense?

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

AC/DC could provide the theme song for commercials.

"Done Dirt Cheap."

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

I think when he said he "picked" his wife because of athletic offspring he lost some points from me. I can't really put my finger on it, but after watching the whole story on ESPN I just felt a little dirty. He just comes across as slimy to me. Full disclosure, I felt the same way about Mr. Williams and Mr. Woods when their stories first came out many years ago and their athletic careers turned out okay!

Earl Woods.....another good example from Dry.

 

[boilerpt]

The Ball family is exploiting the NCAA as much as it's exploiting the boys. They have made it no secret that they intend for each kid to be a "one and done." I'd say it is a perfect marriage with each side thinking only about $$$. I will say, though, it was refreshing to see in that piece a father that has made such an effort to teach his children humility (TIC).

 

[BoilerStation]

I didn't watch the special and I'm not aware of how he was before Lonzo got into college. What I don't like is how the two younger sons play their game and the marketing of the me first, shoot it 60 times in a game and pull up from half court type of player while playing zero defense and not even crossing half court has come from him. His attempt to manipulate who can draft Lonzo and where he is willing to play turns me off and the asinine statement about Lonzo being better than Curry and we would see if they switched places is so ridiculous. Curry could probably put up 45 points a game or more if you threw him on UCLA and I bet he'd hit 100 at least once in the season. Lonzo has the talent to play and make it in the NBA. The younger 2 I'm not so sure of and feel like he is setting them up for failure and ridiculous expectations that they won't be able to achieve.

 

[boilernuke]

AC/DC could provide the theme song for commercials.

"Done Dirt Cheap."

Thought he was referring to "BALLbreaker" or "BALLS to the Wall", but that works too.

 

[PUQBMan.]

This dude is a nutjob. I have no idea why ESPN is hyping the father up just as much as the kids, but it is sickening. I'm to the point now that I'm rooting for the kids to fail just to see the dad crash and burn. ESPNs coverage of this sociopath has made me into a bad person.