#LavarBallSays- Ball In The Family (the Other Ball Kid Content)

The youngest kid has skills. Just needs to learn how to play defense and gain some weight.

 

The oldest can pass, the youngest can shoot, the middle one is great at steals...

 

To be fair, LaVar doesn’t seem to be seeking out all these opportunities. Notice how the article points out that ESPN reporter Chris Haynes spoke to LaVar? If you don’t want to hear from him, stop putting a mic and camera on him. ESPN loves this s*** though, they seek it out. They want LaVar to fail, and they seemingly want Lonzo to fail because of LaVar as well. The success of BBB rides on Lonzo’s game according to ESPN, so add that pressure to Lonzo in addition to being the #2 pick, Magic comparing the kid to himself, playing for the Lakers, etc.. LaVar brought a lot of this to himself, sure, but the media eats it up and wants more, so he keeps giving more.

 

Not to mention, I don't necessarily disagree with what he said. I've been seeing headlines (I'm not clicking on them) about "Lavar calls out Julius Randle". Really? Does he? Seems like he had a pretty poignant argument to me. Phil Jackson didn't call timeouts at the end of games, go figure out a way to win. I actually agree with what Lavar said. I wanted them to go for the win right there. Pass the ball up the floor and let's see if we can win this in regulation.

 

Five seconds left I don't mind pushing that to see what comes out. Looks to me like we're 3-2 with one guy (Durant?) already back in the paint. I would have liked Julius to push it up the wing and see if he couldn't find Lonzo or Ingram or someone else trailing for the win.

 

That play is tough to call. Lonzo looks open, but like you point out, Durant is right there, and he’s long and fast, doubt Ball has an open layup. Where I do agree with Lavar is Randle should pass it to the pg right away. One of Randle’s biggest weaknesses is his lack of vision at times, he and JC both tend to get tunnel vision. If I remember right, Luke told Randle to give it up to the pg this year and not take it himself, not because he doesn’t have the skill, but because it’s the smart play. Randle can go coast to coast in the right situation, but it’s not smart to have him try it at the end of regulation, he’s prone to getting out of control and losing the ball or getting a charge.

 

At 5.3 seconds Julius has Green and Thompson looking at him. If he gives the ball up to Lonzo, Ingram and KCP are streaking up the floor with faster momentum than Thompson who has isn't in position to guard Lonzo. That means Ingram, KCP, and Lonzo vs. Durant and Iguodala. Lonzo drives, KCP to the corner, and Ingram at the free throw line. Lonzo picks whoever isn't guarding. We get a shot to win at the end of regulation .

Someone is open. That's the whole point of having Lonzo Ball on the team is to push the pace and find openings in the defense. We have an advantage there if we choose to exploit it. What the alternative anyway? Call a timeout and we designed an iso for Ingram? It wasn't even a cleverly devised play. There was no backup in case the isolation didn't work. Ingram should have been told help would be coming and he could pass to Randle for the win if he didn't have a clean look.

I'd rather have an organic play. I know Ingram was doing great all game long, but we have a chance to beat the champs at home in regulation. Hell if we push the ball up quickly enough, Ingram has a chance to take a shot in rhythm to win the game. A missed shot still means Overtime. I'd rather have a chance to win. I think Lavar was right.