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Lavar Ball is Officially a Red Flag For Lonzo Ball

By Michael James

Feb 5, 2017; Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA; LaVar Ball , father of Chino Hills guard LaMelo Ball (not pictured) against the Rancho Cucamonga Cougars at Rancho Cucamonga High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA; LaVar Ball , father of Chino Hills guard LaMelo Ball (not pictured) against the Rancho Cucamonga Cougars at Rancho Cucamonga High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Lavar Ball’s recent outburst involving Chino Hills has officially made him a red flag when considering his son Lonzo in this year’s draft

A story broke Friday morning that Lavar Ball, the father of UCLA star Lonzo Ball was involved in an incident where he undermined the head coach of Chino Hills, the high school team where the Ball brothers play.

Stephan Gilling, the head coach of Chino Hills, told reporters that Ball went into the locker room at halftime of a game after shouting defensive instructions at the players during the first two quarters of that game.

After the game concluded, Gilling said that Ball proceeded to gather all of the players in his hotel room for a private meeting.

In that meeting, Ball was heard saying,

"“I run Chino Hills, I run UCLA, and I’m about to run the NBA.”"

This was an account of the head coach that Ball seemingly undermined, so there is a possibility that the story isn’t completely true. However, it is difficult to believe that Ball didn’t say these outrageous things. He wasn’t an issue before this instance, but now I believe that Lavar Ball is a legitimate red flag for his son Lonzo in the upcoming draft.

Mar 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Lavar Ball embraces his son UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) after the game against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Lavar Ball embraces his son UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) after the game against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Over the course of this season, everything Lavar Ball has made headlines with has mostly been positive comments about his kids. While it was unorthodox to talk up his kids to that extent, Ball was seen as a marketing genius due to the attention he was getting across the country.

This situation with undermining a coach is a negative headline. Especially with the quote he was heard saying to a group of players, it won’t be something teams forget when they’re considering drafting Lonzo.

Imagine yourself in Danny Ainge’s shoes. It’s June, and the NBA Draft is in a few weeks. You have a top pick thanks to the Nets, and you’re looking at drafting Ball, Markelle Fultz, or Jayson Tatum.

Lavar Ball has already been outspoken about his desires that his son play for your arch rival Los Angeles Lakers, and you read the section of Ball’s quote that he will, “Run the NBA.” Is there any chance you draft Ball? I certainly wouldn’t. You just know that the moment Brad Stevens elects to play a player like Marcus Smart consistently over his son, Lavar will go straight to the media to voice his objections to Stevens’ decision.

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That kind of drama is not something teams will be overly excited to add to their team once they draft the UCLA star. Lonzo Ball is a great basketball player that seems to have high character, but it has gotten to the point where his father’s outbursts will have a negative effect on his career. If the Celtics have the option, I would advise against taking Ball because his dad is a clear red flag. Ball isn’t good enough to overcome this drama right now.

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