Kevin Garnett has never been one to mince words, and that candor is precisely why TNT wanted to sign him to a broadcasting contract as soon as he retired. Garnett has since settled into his NBA on TNT show, Area 21, and it’s already produced a handful of hilarious and insightful moments. Garnett’s latest roundtable discussion on all-things Big Baller Brand is one of those moments.
On Thursday, Garnett had Rasheed Wallace, Tony Delk, and Rod Strickland on to discuss a host of NBA topics. Like most NBA conversations these days, the Lonzo and LaVar Ball dynamic was brought up, and the commentary ranged from criticism of LaVar, to advice for Lonzo, and everything in between.
Garnett’s main point of advice for Lonzo was to attach himself to a former veteran point guard like Chauncey Billups or Sam Cassell to teach him how you’re supposed to play NBA basketball. Garnett went on to mention that while LaVar may have taken him this far, and that the support system Lonzo’s family provides is great, in order to learn the “temperature” it takes to compete at the highest level, the Ball family has to “leave it to the professionals.”
It’s smart, measured analysis from Garnett, who refrained from using the same tired narrative that LaVar Ball is a disaster who the rest of the Ball family needs to abandon. Garnett’s right in that LaVar helped Lonzo get to this point, and that’s no small task, but for what Lonzo needs now, LaVar should step aside to allow for more qualified help without worrying about what LaVar is going to say next.
“When it comes to this league stuff, leave it to the professionals… Dad ain’t never stepped out here & suited up.”
KG's advice to a young Lonzo Ball. (🔈⬆️) #KGArea21 pic.twitter.com/VmaMMcYTHH
— KG's Area 21 (@KGArea21) December 8, 2017
Rasheed Wallace’s commentary wasn’t as measured. “I think he’s just got to play,” Wallace said. “In my opinion, his daddy is a distraction. I’m not hating on them and their family, but look, let him be him. He’s got to learn and go through all these bumps and bruises. It’s cool for you to be that megaphone, but be that megaphone from a distance. To me, it seems like he wants more shine than his son. You had your chance; let your son shine. Just fall back; let him be him.”
The theme here is that most former NBA players simply think it’s time for LaVar to put the development of his son at this point in the hands of professionals, and with LaVar focussing on the basketball futures of LiAngelo and LaMelo right now, that might actually happen.
