Count Washington Wizards head coach Scott Brooks as the latest opposing head coach to heap praise upon LaMelo Ball. Ahead of Sunday’s match-up against the Hornets, Brooks discussed Ball, who was making his fourth consecutive start of the season.
Like many coaches before him, Brooks had nothing but positive things to say about the rookie guard (h/t NBC Washington).
“He’s extremely impressive and his future is extremely bright. He could potentially be an All-Star pretty soon.
Extremely high-level passer and play-maker. Loves the game, you can just see it. Outstanding. He was raised the right way on the basketball court with how he plays. Even his brother [Lonzo], it’s the same way, they play to win.”
Earlier this season, Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle pegged Ball as the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year. Bulls head coach Billy Donovan had similar praise, calling Ball a “really skilled player” before their meeting against Charlotte.
Even on-court opponents have taken notice of Ball. Following Friday’s game, Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell had plenty of praise for Ball after his career night.
Brooks, though, went on to not only offer praise of LaMelo but LaVar as well.
“You can criticize all you want about his dad and this and that. I said it a few years ago, I’m impressed in that I didn’t have a father growing up. It’s kind of nice when you have somebody. I know I wish I would have had a dad that was overly protective and involved. He’s done a great job of raising those two guys to play the right way.”
The comments Brooks is referencing in the past came in 2017 when he defended LaVar as he was first coming into the public scene.
“You know what, hey, people talk about his dad all the time. Hey, I mean, my father left me at 2. I would love to have my father around like [LaVar] is around and talk to him and pump me up with confidence. To me, that’s every son’s dream. And for some reason he gets criticized. No question, he’s a little ambitious at times [with] what he says. But he’s around his son. I have no problem with that. And maybe he could temper it a little bit, but I would’ve loved to have my father do that.”
While Brooks’ comments on LaVar may not be commonplace, his thoughts on LaMelo are becoming more and more the norm as the rookie establishes himself in the league.