Adam Silver Thinks LaVar Ball Will ‘Settle Down’ Once Lonzo Is Drafted

Adam Silver says he doesn’t talk to the fathers of his league’s players. It’s one of the many reasons why he isn’t worried about LaVar Ball.

The NBA commissioner spoke to Mike and Mike on Wednesday and was asked — like everyone who has anything to do with the NBA these days — about NBA prospect Lonzo Ball‘s father. Not only did Silver give a diplomatic answer, he says there’s reason to think his Big Baller Brand shenanigans are toned down once Lonzo has a team to call his own.


“I think his dad will invariably settle down once his son is drafted and a team has the appropriate discussions with him, so I’m not concerned about that,” Silver said.

Silver didn’t elaborate on what the “appropriate discussions” are, but I’d imagine the they are similar to the understanding LaVar seemed to have with UCLA: trust us to do what’s best for your son on the court.

Over all my years in the league I once spoke to a player’s father in a very polite way. I think here all I know is if I were an NBA team looking at Lonzo Ball I don’t know how much consideration I’d give to his father.

Again I think ultimately I think the issue is how much game does Lonzo have, how great of an NBA player can he be?

According to an ESPN story written about the full interview, Silver did praise LaVar’s marketing skills as well.

Silver credited LaVar Ball for his promotional skills, calling his ability to generate publicity “quite incredible.” But he said he has no plans to talk to Ball, who has made numerous headlines with provocative comments.


He also defended the Association in general and its perennial NBA Finalists, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. Though many have debated the perception that it’s a two-team league, he flatly dismissed the concept.

“It’s just hard for me to fathom how there becomes this perception that at the moment there are only two teams that are truly competitive in the league. I just don’t believe it,” he said, adding that “these things have a way of working themselves out over time,” especially when teams draft well.

Silver also pointed to the longer, much more dominate dynasties of the past like the Celtics and Lakers, saying the Cavs and Warriors have a long way to go to reach that level of domination.

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