OT: At least we have Lavar Ball to keep us laughing

[HuskiesAllDay]

Lol so they finally signed. Daddy is shipping them off for:

A 1-year deal
In Lithuania
In a poorer division
On a failing organization
Playing in a 1700 seat gym
In a town of 10,000
Where nobody speaks English

From the ESPN article “The team has no general manager and doesn't practice regularly due to the poor financial situation.”

Instead of going to UCLA

Now that’s what an “alpha” (per Fartman’s designation) does with their kids.

This story surely ends well

Saw on reddit a fan of the team and inhabitant of the "city". Here is what he said:

-The coach doesn't speak any English.
-Absolutely no nightlife- no bars, restaurants, clubs, not even a movie theatre. poster said the entertainment is locals go to a small pizza shop and watch the basketball games.

This is like the 00's MTV show where Paris Hilton went to live on a farm in the sticks. Crazy stuff.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Saw on reddit a fan of the team and inhabitant of the "city". Here is what he said:

-The coach doesn't speak any English.
-Absolutely no nightlife- no bars, restaurants, clubs, not even a movie theatre. poster said the entertainment is locals go to a small pizza shop and watch the basketball games.

This is like the 00's MTV show where Paris Hilton went to live on a farm in the sticks. Crazy stuff.

Also just heard that they have a 31 year old donor who pays to be on the roster and hang out; doesn’t even play

Gives you a sense of where that program is

Whole thing gets more and more ridiculous with each detail that comes out

 

[Walker11]

If y'all want to check out how it goes y'all can watch their reality TV show. Season 2 premier got 7.9 million views on Facebook.

I know it seems crazy but this man is very calculated and has a lot of faith in himself and his family which is admirable. These kids are on a 1 year deal and he's about to show everyone the power of player's brands. The kids are going to bring in a lot of money into their organization while continuing to make money off of themselves. After the year is up it'll open the market for bigger teams if they do well. LaMelo has to be there for at least 2-3 years so he has time to let this situation develop.

Again Lavar is just showing everyone the power of a player's brand with this move. Just like Lebron goes to Cleveland and brings life into the city because of his name the Ball brothers are aiming to do the same. He wasn't going to let LiAngelo sit when he's building a brand for his FAMILY (not just himself) to eat with.

This could be a good plot line for the reality show. If the goal is to become reality stars with staying power, sure, maybe this is a great idea. The move in and of itself is not going to be bringing money into this organization in Lithuania and this move doesn't seem like it will benefit the kids development, off the court at least. Have you seen the middle school gym that they play in?

 

[Mr. French]

I am just picturing this:

GREAT reference.

Hopefully LiAngelo doesn't drink absinthe and make out with LaMelo ...

Eurotrip Absinthe

 

[Waquoit]

It sounds like they are are going to get plenty of education.

 

[intlzncster]

If y'all want to check out how it goes y'all can watch their reality TV show. Season 2 premier got 7.9 million views on Facebook.

I know it seems crazy but this man is very calculated and has a lot of faith in himself and his family which is admirable. These kids are on a 1 year deal and he's about to show everyone the power of player's brands. The kids are going to bring in a lot of money into their organization while continuing to make money off of themselves. After the year is up it'll open the market for bigger teams if they do well. LaMelo has to be there for at least 2-3 years so he has time to let this situation develop.

Again Lavar is just showing everyone the power of a player's brand with this move. Just like Lebron goes to Cleveland and brings life into the city because of his name the Ball brothers are aiming to do the same. He wasn't going to let LiAngelo sit when he's building a brand for his FAMILY (not just himself) to eat with.

This all may be true, but you are effectively saying LaVar is using his kids as pure economic chess pieces. I guess if their only goal is to make money, this is one way to do it.

What he is NOT doing is:

1. Trying to have his kids become the best basketball players they can be. If he was, he'd play his kids against and with the highest level of competition as possible
2. Giving them a real college and developmental experience. Especially a kid like LiAngelo (never playing in the League). Who would do 4 years, and likely get a ton out of it, on and just as importantly, off the court.
3. Not offering (it appears) them a traditional education.

 

[Rocktheworld]

This all may be true, but you are effectively saying LaVar is using his kids as pure economic chess pieces. I guess if their only goal is to make money, this is one way to do it.

What he is NOT doing is:

1. Trying to have his kids become the best basketball players they can be. If he was, he'd play his kids against and with the highest level of competition as possible
2. Giving them a real college and developmental experience. Especially a kid like LiAngelo (never playing in the League). Who would do 4 years, and likely get a ton out of it, on and just as importantly, off the court.
3. Not offering (it appears) them a traditional education.

Honestly, just dying laughing at adjectives like “calculating” applied to this buffoon who has done little more than run his mouth and run away when he doesn’t get what he wants.

Can’t get what he wants in Vegas? Pulls his whole team. In the middle of a game.

Couldn’t control Melo in HS ball regarding his play and shot volume? Nah don’t send him to Florida at IMG or something, don’t send him to an academy, pull him out of high school and “home school” him.

Couldn’t control UCLA’s punishment for dickforbrains Gelo? Pull him out of college.

Then ship them off to the minor league in Lithuania. It was cute when he said he could beat MJ, even when he said Zo would be better than Steph. But now he is fairly obviously (to any objective observer) doing nothing but put his kids further and further behind. And he doesn’t even have the sack to live there over with them. People compare the Ball family to the Kardashians, but Lavar is basically Trump.

Seriously, you Lavar lovers, you are gonna need to delineate the “calculating” nature of Lavar’s actions for us; we really aren’t seeing it. And do better than call him a master troll. Explain this most recent calculation, and why money and fame suddenly seem to be out of the equation for said calculation

And then, what’s next when this new plan blows up in their face? Or better yet, instead of answering that question, describe how this move ends well. Explain the outcome you envision.

 

[Jaker]

This won't end well.

Did LaVar agree to coach the team?

 

[Woof 101]

Recovering from a pretty debilitating stroke.

Thoughts and prayers are with her....Most likely the price of being married to Lavar....

 

[intlzncster]

This won't end well.

Did LaVar agree to coach the team?

LaVar always coaches the team. Whether they like it or not.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Thoughts and prayers are with her....Most likely the price of being married to Lavar....

Can’t imagine she could be any less than terrified at the idea of her 19 and 16 year old sons across the world from her in a tiny, crappy town in Lithuania.

Has nobody thought about mom in all this?

 

[Deleted at users request]

This could be a good plot line for the reality show. If the goal is to become reality stars with staying power, sure, maybe this is a great idea. The move in and of itself is not going to be bringing money into this organization in Lithuania and this move doesn't seem like it will benefit the kids development, off the court at least. Have you seen the middle school gym that they play in?

I have to say the move by itself will. It will bring 10x if not more viewers than they previously had to games whether it's the game itself or live stream.

Will this specific move help the kids development? That's a good question that I'm not sure of. It hasn't been done before but just because it hasn't doesn't mean it can't be done. LaMelo will be playing against grown men at a young age and LiAngelo is better suited getting a lot of PT here than sit at UCLA, come back to ride some more bench until getting playing time his junior and senior year so I'm not sure yet. They have to stay overseas (not necessarily that team) for at least 2-3 years.

 

[Deleted at users request]

This all may be true, but you are effectively saying LaVar is using his kids as pure economic chess pieces. I guess if their only goal is to make money, this is one way to do it.

What he is NOT doing is:

1. Trying to have his kids become the best basketball players they can be. If he was, he'd play his kids against and with the highest level of competition as possible
2. Giving them a real college and developmental experience. Especially a kid like LiAngelo (never playing in the League). Who would do 4 years, and likely get a ton out of it, on and just as importantly, off the court.
3. Not offering (it appears) them a traditional education.

I don't think he's using his kids purely like that (and if he was it shouldn't matter much because it's their money too).

The whole college arguement isn't valid to me either. The kids at UNC were taking fake classes their 4 years there, some of the best players in the NBA never played a college game. They don't need college to go to the league. May it be a better option? Possibly. But it's not necessary.

I would hear everything that most people had a concern about if they weren't already entrepreneurs themselves making money off the court. That's what you usually go to college to do. Lebron learned to be a fantastic businessman just fine without ever taking a college class.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Honestly, just dying laughing at adjectives like “calculating” applied to this buffoon who has done little more than run his mouth and run away when he doesn’t get what he wants.

Can’t get what he wants in Vegas? Pulls his whole team. In the middle of a game.

Couldn’t control Melo in HS ball regarding his play and shot volume? Nah don’t send him to Florida at IMG or something, don’t send him to an academy, pull him out of high school and “home school” him.

Couldn’t control UCLA’s punishment for dickforbrains Gelo? Pull him out of college.

Then ship them off to the minor league in Lithuania. It was cute when he said he could beat MJ, even when he said Zo would be better than Steph. But now he is fairly obviously (to any objective observer) doing nothing but put his kids further and further behind. And he doesn’t even have the sack to live there over with them. People compare the Ball family to the Kardashians, but Lavar is basically Trump.

Seriously, you Lavar lovers, you are gonna need to delineate the “calculating” nature of Lavar’s actions for us; we really aren’t seeing it. And do better than call him a master troll. Explain this most recent calculation, and why money and fame suddenly seem to be out of the equation for said calculation

And then, what’s next when this new plan blows up in their face? Or better yet, instead of answering that question, describe how this move ends well. Explain the outcome you envision.

Going overseas = brand growth, more PT for LiAngelo, grown men to play with for LaMelo, and they learn to be professionals. In the process as I've stated earlier they get to show their worth to other European clubs if this new team gets major money off of viewers and fans from his kids playing there. It's not as crazy as people think. It's just never been done before but a lot of stuff this family is doing has never been done before.

 

[intlzncster]

The whole college arguement isn't valid to me either. The kids at UNC were taking fake classes their 4 years there, some of the best players in the NBA never played a college game. They don't need college to go to the league. May it be a better option? Possibly. But it's not necessary.

The kids at UNC were done a disservice. Especially the ones who never went pro. That's where it matters most. They don't have basketball to fall back on.

You're using the best players as examples. LiAngelo might never be able to hack it in Euro pro ball, never mind the League. Kid needs things to fall back on to be his own man. I guess he can live off of the collective family money just fine; basically a silver spoon kid.

Who knows what LaMelo could be. Will depend on his frame, and more importantly on his on and off the court discipline and will to get better.

I would hear everything that most people had a concern about if they weren't already entrepreneurs themselves making money off the court. That's what you usually go to college to do. Lebron learned to be a fantastic businessman just fine without ever taking a college class.

How are they entrepreneurs? I mean, their dad has BBB, which could be an utter bust. They have a lot of insta followers I guess.

Lebron is not a useful comparison here tho. Guy was the best player in the world, and the most recognizable basketball star on the planet. Easy to be a good businessman in that scenario. Had 100s of millions to work with.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Going overseas = brand growth,

Hahaha oh boy here we go

more PT for LiAngelo,

Why is Gelo still even playing? He is NEVER seeing an NBA court.

grown men to play with for LaMelo,

Lol cool the minor league in Lithuania. Where his team, as resource-deprived as it is, is 4-1. He would be playing better competition right in front of NBA scouts against future NBA players if he stayed here. It’s amazing the mental gymnastics you’ve been accomplishing thus far in this post and thread.

and they learn to be professionals

We’ll see how Lavar handles that. Might take his toys back home again after a week or so if he doesn’t get what he wants

In the process as I've stated earlier they get to show their worth to other European clubs if this new team gets major money off of viewers and fans from his kids playing there.

I think you need to look more in to just how bad this program is. You couldn’t be spouting crap like this otherwise.

It's not as crazy as people think. It's just never been done before but a lot of stuff this family is doing has never been done before.

No, it’s not crazy; it’s stupid.

And yes plenty of people and families have already gotten rich for being famous after whoring (sometimes literally) themselves into fame

 

[Walker11]

Going overseas = brand growth, more PT for LiAngelo, grown men to play with for LaMelo, and they learn to be professionals. In the process as I've stated earlier they get to show their worth to other European clubs if this new team gets major money off of viewers and fans from his kids playing there. It's not as crazy as people think. It's just never been done before but a lot of stuff this family is doing has never been done before.

They are playing in a Lithuanian village for a mediocre to low level team. The reports I have read say they are likely to play for this crappy programs junior team. Like I said, this very well may be great for their reality show brand. You seem emotionally invested to this story. Believe it or not, I am pro BBB but this doesn't look like it's going to end well for their hoops future, at least.

 

[intlzncster]

they get to show their worth to other European clubs if this new team gets major money off of viewers and fans from his kids playing there. It's not as crazy as people think. It's just never been done before but a lot of stuff this family is doing has never been done before.

I do think you're underestimating how good the other Euro Leagues are. Neither of these kids are going anywhere near the big time. I remember when Brandon Jennings went over there for a year. He was a vastly superior player to both these kids; he really struggled. Nobody is taking you under their wing. They are all looking to kill you. It's purely a job and everybody wants to eat. Teams don't care about star power or money as much as winning. If you're good, you'll play.

 

[Robertelamin]

What brand growth? They are going to be on some minor league team in the Baltics.

 

[Stainmaster]

I do think you're underestimating how good the other Euro Leagues are. Neither of these kids are going anywhere near the big time. I remember when Brandon Jennings went over there for a year. He was a vastly superior player to both these kids; he really struggled. Nobody is taking you under their wing. They are all looking to kill you. It's purely a job and everybody wants to eat. Teams don't seem to care about star power as much as winning. If you're good, you'll play.

There are decent leagues in Europe. LaVar was not able to land his kids in one.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

in hindsight, the US should have traded China the old man for the UCLA youngsters release

Xi said, "no thanks"!

 

[Rocktheworld]

There are decent leagues in Europe. LaVar was not able to land his kids in one.

The obsession with having Melo and Gelo play on the same team is some kind of arcane “calculation” Lavar must have made. Because it is abundantly clear that that was the only criterion for signing with a team.

The funny part is that this program is the best they could get

The sad part is that Melo could possibly be in a decent legit program right now if he weren’t a package deal with Gelo.

Let Melo do that (or stay here where he was doing and was going to do JUST FINE), and like I said before keep Gelo in college to get a business, finance, marketing, whatever degree to help run the company. Because he ain’t the talent people are paying a cent to see.

 

[Stainmaster]

The obsession with having Melo and Gelo play on the same team is some kind of arcane “calculation” Lavar must have made. Because it is abundantly clear that that was the only criterion for signing with a team.

The funny part is that this program is the best they could get

The sad part is that Melo could possibly be in a decent legit program right now if he weren’t a package deal with Gelo.

Let Melo do that (or stay here where he was doing and was going to do JUST FINE), and like I said before keep Gelo in college to get a business, finance, marketing, whatever degree to help run the company. Because he ain’t the talent people are paying a cent to see.

Agree 100%. ESPN had Melo ranked 7th in his class. He definitely has enough talent for a higher-tier European/Chinese/Aussie club to bring him on à la Emmanuel Mudiay or Terrance Ferguson.

 

[intlzncster]

Agree 100%. ESPN had Melo ranked 7th in his class. He definitely has enough talent for a higher-tier European/Chinese/Aussie club to bring him on à la Emmanuel Mudiay or Terrance Ferguson.

ftfy

 

[Stainmaster]

ftfy

Oh boy...shame on me.

 

[Deleted at users request]

The kids at UNC were done a disservice. Especially the ones who never went pro. That's where it matters most. They don't have basketball to fall back on.

You're using the best players as examples. LiAngelo might never be able to hack it in Euro pro ball, never mind the League. Kid needs things to fall back on to be his own man. I guess he can live off of the collective family money just fine; basically a silver spoon kid.

Who knows what LaMelo could be. Will depend on his frame, and more importantly on his on and off the court discipline and will to get better.



How are they entrepreneurs? I mean, their dad has BBB, which could be an utter bust. They have a lot of insta followers I guess.

Lebron is not a useful comparison here tho. Guy was the best player in the world, and the most recognizable basketball star on the planet. Easy to be a good businessman in that scenario. Had 100s of millions to work with.

Yeah I'm not sure about LiAngelo at all. He is a shooter for sure but outside of that he's not a great athlete. But hey if he can learn to eventually play some defense there could be an NBA team willing to have a 6'6 linebacker for a shooter. Is this team the best place to learn that? No. But hey he has 2-3 years before they figure out if he can go to the league or learn to run the family business.

But they literally have a family business that can be taught to them on how to run it. Lebron had 100 millions where he had to learn to make the right investment moves. These kids have a brand that they can move any which way with once they learn the business. It's never too late to go back to school either FWIW.

I watch their reality TV show honestly and the things this family does is nuts. They are loaded so the business must be doing well. Lonzo's rookie contract isn't worth as much as all of the things they do and buy.

You're right in that LaMelo's career is completely dependent on how hard he works and wants it. Scoring wise he can be the best out of his brothers. He just has to learn how to make his teammates better like Lonzo and he can be a serious problem.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Lol google “Prienu”

... been to many places in many countries; Prienu/Prienai falls pretty darn low on the favorable side. It wasn't my choice to go, but I managed to get the puck out after one night.

Prienu Vytautas fields teams in the Lithuanian (LKL) league, the nation's top league, and the lesser quality Baltic league. Purportedly for free (as in, not paid), guess which league the Ball boys reportedly may attempt to play a little? Guess which league it won't be too surprising if they don't long ... ? On or off the court, if some guy named Arturas or Jonas doesn't rearrange one or more of the Balls' faces and teeth it may be even less surprising.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Agree 100%. ESPN had Melo ranked 7th in his class. He definitely has enough talent for a higher-tier European/Chinese/Aussie club to bring him on à la Emmanuel Mudiay or Terrance Ferguson.

Depends on how much you value Fran Frascilla’s (sic?) opinion, but apparently he ranked all the 12 non-NBA leagues and put Aussie/Lithuania/China in the bottom 3

 

[joober jones]

Why can't he be more like LeVar Burton?

 

[Huskyforlife]

Even though this is a dumb move, everyone acting like Lavar has been an overall negative on these kids lives is incorrect. He has them set up for life, whether basketball works out for them, or not.