It might startle some NBA fans to hear that LaVar Ball didn’t want his son Lonzo Ball learning from the late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. As most of us might be aware, Lonozo’s NBA career is in danger at the moment with him having undergone multiple knee surgeries. He is expected to miss the entire upcoming season, which is quite sad considering that we are barely halfway into the NBA offseason.
If anyone knows what it would take to train one’s body and mind to get to the next level, even past injury, that would be Kobe Bryant. After all, the Black Mamba’s willpower and determination are some of his best-known traits.
Coming back to Lonzo’s somewhat infamous father LaVar Ball, the owner of the Big Baller Brand, has inadvertently put a target on the backs of his sons due to his bold statements. He was once interviewed and made it clear that he didn’t want Lonzo to be influenced by Kobe. Let us take a closer look at what he had to say.
Did Kobe Bryant and Lonzo Ball ever play together?
Before we find out what LaVar had to say, it is important to mention that he has created a reputation for himself as a man who will say controversial things with zero hesitation. While many admire the fatherly love and responsibility he shows, some fans might remember that LaVar claimed Lonzo is better than Stephen Curry. Moreover, he has claimed that he could beat Michael Jordan in a 1v1.
LaVar was once interviewed on ESPN Radio 710 LA. There, he broke down why he was unwilling to let Kobe Bryant influence Lonzo Ball.
“I don’t need no advice from Kobe Bryant,…I don’t need advice from Kobe Bryant. Zo’s got to play his game.”If they’re at practice and he sees something, and Lonzo listens to him or whatever, he’s good. … But it’s just not, ‘OK, I’m talking to Kobe, so now I’m going to be good.’ If Kobe sees something that Zo is doing, then go from there. But I’m not trying to pattern after nobody,”
While we can certainly understand where LaVar is coming from. he might have been wrong about his eldest son. Lonzo was drafted by the Lakers the year after Bryant had retired. Therefore, they were never teammates or stepped on the court together. In any case, the Lakers were not satisfied with Lonzo’s play and eventually traded him away.
We never found out if Bryant decided to impart some basketball knowledge to Lonzo. All we know is that LaVar didn’t want him to influence Lonzo’s playstyle in any manner.