Los Angeles Lakers News: LaVar Ball shared some more critical opinions of Lakers head coach Luke Walton.
Los Angeles Lakers news has not been positive in recent weeks. With the struggles on the court, there has been a lot of negative energy around the team. The Lakers are currently riding a nine-game losing streak and have won only three times since a two-game winning streak on November 19th and 21st.
With the losses piling up, there is a lot of discussion from fans and media personnel alike. One of the people with some scathing takes is LaVar Ball, the father of rookie point guard Lonzo Ball.
LaVar has been in the news plenty in the past year or so. He has made some outrageous comments and continues to push his Big Baller Brand. His decision to pull his youngest son out of high school and get him a contract overseas with his middle son garnered plenty of attention.
Despite having a busy schedule getting LiAngelo and LaMelo acclimated to Lithuania and running a business, LaVar still has time to discuss the Lakers. Not surprisingly, his comments aren’t overly positive.
LaVar has been a topic of discussion involving the Lakers multiple times this season. A media rule is being enforced in large part because of LaVar’s presence at Lakers games. The media presence with LaVar at games increased, but another reason for the enforcement of the rule has been his critical takes on head coach Luke Walton.
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The Lakers and Ball had a meeting to discuss his outspoken views on Walton. The Lakers were hoping that Ball would tone down his criticisms, hoping to make a more positive environment for everyone.
Positivity is something the Lakers are desperately lacking right now. However, LaVar is sure to draw the ire of some within the organization as he was once again critical of Walton.
"“You can see they’re not playing for Luke no more,” Ball said from a spa resort in Birstonas. “Luke doesn’t have control of the team no more. They don’t want to play for him.”"
There has been a lot of animosity in the Lakers locker room in recent weeks. With Walton constantly juggling the rotation, players have been uneasy. The release of veteran center Andrew Bogut probably won’t help those problems, as he was a calming voice in the locker room.
LaVar did not stop there when commenting on Walton. He took it a step further, commenting on the team’s body language during the game.
"“That’s a good team,” he added of the Lakers, who have lost nine straight games. “Nobody wants to play for him. I can see it. No high-fives when they come out of the game. People don’t know why they’re in the game. He’s too young. He’s too young. … He ain’t connecting with them anymore. You can look at every player, he’s not connecting with not one player.”"
Clashing with coaches is nothing new for LaVar. While Lonzo played at UCLA, LaVar said that Steve Alford used too many white players and it was the reason for the team’s loss. LaMelo, his youngest son, was removed from Chino Hills High School in part because LaVar and the basketball coach didn’t see eye to eye.
Could there be some truth to what LaVar is saying? Of course. However, he is not around the Lakers on a day-to-day basis. These most recent comments made about Walton were said while Ball was in Lithuania with his two younger sons.
There are obviously some issues with the Lakers. Anyone who watches the games can see that. They do not have the same energy and level of effort they showed earlier in the season. Could part of the reason be what LaVar talked about and the players checking out on Walton? Sure, it could be. However, Walton will more than likely be with the team for the foreseeable future.
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It will be interesting to see how the Lakers handle this. They have done what they can to quell the outspoken LaVar, but it is not an easy task. If there are media members willing to ask him questions and put a microphone in his face, he is going to answer questions.