ESPN ran a story about LaVar Ball out in Lithuania with his sons and in it, he criticized Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton. He said that he’s lost the team and none of the players want to play for him anymore. He also said that he’s too young and can’t connect with the squad. Whether it’s true or not, he caused quite the stir again.
So, what does Coach Walton have to say about all of this?
“Yeah. We’re, I feel, very secure in my job status right now. We talk all the time. They’re 100 percent behind and supporting what we’re doing.
I’m fine with it. It doesn’t bother me. My only concern with any of it is for Zo. As long as Zo’s fine with it and Zo can come out and play, and it doesn’t affect mine and his relationship, then it doesn’t bother me at all.”
Lonzo Ball had a little something to say about his dad too:
“He’s a grown man. Like I said, he is going to say what he wants to say. I can’t [do] nothing about it. My job is to play basketball. I don’t decide who coaches.
He is going to speak his mind. He is not going to change. I don’t think [Walton has lost the locker room]. I mean, he’s our head coach. We are going to play for him.
That is just his opinion. He has coached me his whole life. So he is definitely going to have a strong opinion about it. That’s just what it is.”
Dick Vitale, Rick Carlisle and plenty of others have come out and condemned LaVar Ball for his comments, showing support for coaching a rebuilding team like the Lakers.
Coach Walton joked about Lonzo being pulled early from the first and third quarter of last night’s game. He jokingly said that he subbed him because his “father was talking shit.” Of course, he retracted immediately and revealed that ‘Zo asked for a quick break during those periods.
Here’s what LaVar is saying, for those who haven’t seen his comments.
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