Not previously known for involving themselves in politics, the Ball family has take a big step in that direction in recent weeks and months. In the wake of the death of George Floyd, Lonzo, LaMelo and LiAngelo all attended a Black Lives Matter as part of string of actions to show support for the movement.
Most notably, Lonzo, Pelican teammate JJ Redick and Saints linebacker Demario Davis comprise the newly-formed Social Justice Leadership Coalition between the Saints and Pelicans created by Gayle Benson, the owner of both franchises.
During a podcast appearance on Say Less, LaVar talked about the protests and the message he gave his sons before their decision to join in.
“My thoughts are like this, man As far as all the political preference of any player or anybody man, stick to your thing and do your thing. I explained to my boys on certain situations, I get it. I get the protesting and I get that. But I said ‘Be careful out there.’ Because you have to understand what a protest is. What I mean by that…when you want to be political about a lot of things, you got to go the full route. Don’t do it 20 minutes or two days. Out of all the protestors, they only taking pictures of the celebrities. But let me ask you this, what were you doing before that protest? Did you protest on some other things? Or was you out spending and making your money until now we can be visible?
…
“…you got people out there with videos and masks on just showing that they was there but they ain’t really about that. Because you can’t be about it for no one week. You got to do some other things in your life if you want to take that political stance and you want to be in that lane. Don’t work all your life to be a basketball player and you ain’t went to one council meeting and all of the sudden you got this voice now you want to be like ‘I want justice, I want peace.’ So guess what, the people’s that’s done that, leave it to them. Let them do what they do and you can support that your own way.”
For someone that is not known for his nuance or measured reactions, this is a particularly measured and nuanced take from LaVar. Less a plea against his sons being involved in politics, his words serve as advice for his sons as they begin using their voices for good.
And it’s good advice to take. In a time when so many new faces are speaking out, realizing the impact of their words and the responsibility they undertake by using their voice is an important lesson. The fact the siblings understood the weight of their decision and still moved forward shows how committed they are to the cause.
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