The LaVar Ball experience has been well chronicled for quite some time and, at this point, most people have decided how to feel about the father of Lonzo, LaMelo and LiAngelo. While the backlash has been real, there is a contingent that really appears to support LaVar, though, and Fred Kerber of the New York Post captured a bit of that from the perspective of the Big Apple.
Over the weekend, the Ball family created a pop-up event for Big Baller Brand in New York City and, in short, Lonzo seemed to be fairly amazed by all of the fans and supporters of his father.
“I didn’t count them but there were a lot of people. I got out of the car and said, ‘Wow, it’s cold out here.’ I wouldn’t stand out there in that cold but they definitely did it. I mean everybody was calling my dad a legend. That was about the funniest. Just yelling out the brand saying ’LaVar is my hero.’”
In fact, the report mentioned one specific account from an NBA player that happens to be quite close to the situation with LaVar and the Lakers. Buzz has emerged that the Lakers may not be thrilled with LaVar’s takes on head coach Luke Walton.
At least publicly, though, veteran center Brook Lopez referred to LaVar as “a great guy” in chronicling his support of the team and his son.
“He’s been nothing but supportive. He’s a great guy and he’s great to have around at games. A good basketball mind. People assume there are problems with the team, but it couldn’t be farther from the case. We’re in a great situation and obviously we’re happy with Zo as our point guard.”
Of course, it has to be pointed out that this is only one player coming to the public defense of LaVar but it also speaks to at least something of a positive vibe there. The NBA world could also see a bit less of LaVar in the near future, as the duo of LaMelo and LiAngelo are bound for Europe to begin their professional careers.
It remains to be seen as to how the rest of the Lakers roster feels about the out-sized personality of Lonzo Ball’s father, but we can say for sure that Lopez seems to like him.
