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Lakers Rumors: LaVar Ball asked to tone down criticisms of team

By Kenneth Teape

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 27: LaVar Ball looks on during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the LA Clippers on November 27, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 27: LaVar Ball looks on during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the LA Clippers on November 27, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: LaVar Ball has reportedly been asked by the Lakers to tone down his criticisms of the team.

Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors don’t involve the product on the court. Instead, it focuses on LaVar Ball, the outspoke father of rookie sensations Lonzo Ball.

Even if you are not a basketball fan, it is likely that you have heard of LaVar Ball. He has made waves for months with his outlandish statements, going back to Lonzo being at UCLA. LaVar has said that his son is better than Stephen Curry. He has also predicted the Lakers to win 50 games this season.

Recently, he has made appearances on CNN. He has gotten into a spat with the President of the United States.

Said spat was continued on social media when LaVar sent out a tweet of himself dunking on Donald Trump in emoji form.

The Lakers knew what they were getting into when they selected Lonzo with the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. LaVar is outspoken, and he is going to let you know his opinion if you put a microphone in his face.

Recently, the Lakers began enforcing a rule now known as the LaVar Ball Rule. The rule is made to ensure that media members cannot interact with the family and friends of the players. There is a designated area on the court where those people stand, and media members are not allowed to be.

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It wasn’t a rule that was enforced diligently unless a media member was crossing the line. However, with the media circus that follows LaVar, it has been enforced. Now, the Lakers are taking another step to quieting that storm.

According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne, the Lakers’ front office recently had a meeting with LaVar. The meeting was to ask LaVar to tone down his criticisms of the team, specifically head coach Luke Walton.

The goal, according to Shelbourne, is to help create a more positive atmosphere for Lonzo. Shelbourne added that the meeting was held in recent weeks and was called by president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka.

LaVar confirmed to ESPN that a meeting was held. Here is what he had to say.

"“It was the best thing, man. Everybody’s going to try to make it an ego thing, like I’m trying to tell them what to do or they’re trying to tell me to tone it down. It’s not about that. It’s about coming together and to get a solution to this problem.“It may sound crazy to other people, but I really just want the best for Lonzo, and the best for Lonzo is going to be what’s best for the organization. Because if everybody winning, we good.”"

Johnson and Pelinka declined to comment when asked about the meeting. It didn’t take long for this to happen, as the regular season isn’t even two months old yet. However, it is best to get out ahead of this instead of waiting.

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Getting LaVar on the same page with the Lakers is imperative to building a successful partnership. LaVar will be outspoken, that won’t change. But if he dials it back some and gets on the same page with the Lakers, he can be himself without adding more pressure on the shoulders of Lonzo.

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