The feelings toward LaVar Ball and his Big Baller Brand have to described as mixed at best. While the outspoken father’s devotion to his sons can’t be denied and is even admired by some, his outrageous comments and boastful attitude have rubbed many the wrong way. One big name that isn’t a fan of the elder Ball is NBA legend Kareen Abdul-Jabbar.
According to TMZ Sports, the former Laker was chatting with 97.5 The Fanatic about “1-and-done college players” and the state of NCAA hoops when Ball entered the conversation:
“Everybody knows about his sons because he has been able to hype them. But I don’t think that’s good for college basketball.”
He continued, “College basketball is starting to look like a … it doesn’t look good. It looks like it’s a huckster show. And that bothers me, you know. You have people going those lengths to promote their kids. I don’t get it. “
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And Abdul-Jabbar added that other 1-and-done players at the college level aren’t helping the game either, with issues stretching all the way to the pro level:
“1-and-dones doesn’t make any sense to me. To have somebody come and be on campus for 6 months and play a basketball season, what is that?”
“It’s strange and it’s not good for the college game and it hasn’t been good for the pro game. I think they better find a different way of dealing with those issues.”
This is not the first time that the hall of famer has criticized Ball for his antics, saying that he’s bringing all of the attention to himself and overshadowing the talent of his sons. Whether you agree with him or not is one thing, but a certainty here is that LaVar Ball will be responding at some point. He hasn’t shied away from being combative in the past.
(Via TMZ Sports)
