It has honestly felt like years since we last heard from LaVar Ball, and that silence had been serene. But it’s over now.
Just as Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is putting together a runaway Rookie of the Year campaign and Lonzo Ball is enjoying his best statistical season of his NBA career, LaVar managed to find something to get upset about.
He wants Lonzo to get out of New Orleans.
In a phone interview with Mason & Ireland on ESPN LA 710 ahead of LaMelo’s first game back in Los Angeles, LaVar was asked about Lonzo’s future with the Pelicans. And, well, he didn’t hold back.
LaVar said, when asked if Lonzo should stay in New Orleans:
“No! No, he can’t stay in New Orleans. Come on, man. Come on, listen. … Lonzo’s always been a playmaker. Why are you trying to change him into a defensive specialist that stays in the corner and shoots 3s? And you’re trying to change Zion and Brandon Ingram who, all through their careers, have never been playmakers. Scorers! Now you want to put the ball in their hands and be playmakers?! … Go score the ball and do what you do and guess what? They’re gonna have a hard time trying to win every game if the playmaker ain’t making the right plays.”
LaVar was mostly upset at how Lonzo’s assist numbers have declined this season — though his scoring and shooting numbers have improved. LaVar sees Lonzo as a facilitator to get Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram easy scoring opportunities. But in LaVar’s eyes, the Pelicans would rather have Ingram and Zion control the offense.
He continued, when asked if he thought a trade would actually happen:
“Oh, I don’t know what they’re gonna do. I don’t know what they’re gonna do. I hope he be traded though. Here’s the thing: I don’t like watching him play like that.”
And despite the success of LaMelo and Lonzo this season, LaVar stood by the belief that all three of his sons need to be on the same team.
Some things never change.
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