Clipper *Ball*? That's What LaVar Seems To Be Persuading

[Wammy Giveaway]

(from https://lastwordonsports.com/basketball/2024/09/05/lavar-ball-wants-to-reunite-his-sons-on-the-la-clippers/)

LaVar’s eldest son, Lonzo, currently plays for the Chicago Bulls, but he remains sidelined due to injury. His youngest son, LaMelo, was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets and blossomed into an NBA All-Star. The middle son, LiAngelo, took a different path, playing overseas in Mexico and struggling to break into the NBA. Despite these differences, LaVar remains optimistic that his sons can team up. He believes the Clippers offer the perfect fit for his family.

LaVar’s dissatisfaction with the Lakers plays a big role in his decision. The team traded Lonzo after drafting him second overall in 2017. “I’m not going back to the Lakers for how you did Lonzo. So why do I bring the other two?” LaVar emphasized.

LaVar highly respects LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and even made a playful connection between their names. “Steve Ballmer, that’s my guy. I like him; I like his style,” LaVar said. “That’s why I tell him my last name is Ball, his last name is Ballmer; we push the Ball more,” he joked.

Oh look, a video to prove I'm not crazy...

Read on Twitter

Be advised that this is a small segment of a larger interview, and apparently it's on TikTok. I don't have an account with them, so if anyone knows where this interview came from, and if there was more Clipper talk than what was shown in the above tweet, be my guest and post below.

[Ballings7]

Huge risk if were to bring Lonzo Ball in.. and obviously another injury-worry for a key-level player.

When he was healthy with the Bulls and Lakers, he uprose to be a two-way big utility guard that could of peaked to be an all-star 1 or 2 seasons.

I don't see it happening but who knows with how things shake out with some of the guards on the team the next 1-2 years.

But likely just sell up talk from Lavar. Career ruined by injuries.. I hope he does well either in the NBA again to get going, or in Euroleague on a decent squad.

[MartinToVaught]

The "we push the Ball more" line got a chuckle out of me, but still, no thanks.

[og15]

Previously healthy players have come to the Clippers and had bad injury luck, Clippers just in recent history have had massive issues with key player injuries.

Adding one very injury prone player and a second pretty injury prone player to this team along with Kawhi (not that it even works within the cap or any of that) just sounds like a terrible idea. I think this fanbase just needs at least a little span with ironman type guys where every season isn't about some theoretical "what if".

[esqtvd]

Previously healthy players have come to the Clippers and had bad injury luck, Clippers just in recent history have had massive issues with key player injuries.

Adding one very injury prone player and a second pretty injury prone player to this team along with Kawhi (not that it even works within the cap or any of that) just sounds like a terrible idea. I think this fanbase just needs at least a little span with ironman type guys where every season isn't about some theoretical "what if".

VERY good observation, G. We can't take any more maybes. Well, at least some people can't. But after 37 YEARS of nearly-unbroken misery before CP3 came to town [1983-2011], I'm just gonna say again that 50-win seasons are OK by me.



Not sure I want a teamful of durable but mid-talented Zubacs and Manns, and the "title or bust" crows certainly won't stand for it either.

[esqtvd]

Previously healthy players have come to the Clippers and had bad injury luck, Clippers just in recent history have had massive issues with key player injuries.

Adding one very injury prone player and a second pretty injury prone player to this team along with Kawhi (not that it even works within the cap or any of that) just sounds like a terrible idea. I think this fanbase just needs at least a little span with ironman type guys where every season isn't about some theoretical "what if".

To return to topic--the Ball family...

Dad put a LOT of miles on those kids' tires from age 8 or whatever. Can't say he did the wrong thing because Lonzo has turned $110 million guaranteed by the end of this season and LaMelo is guaranteed WELL over $200M before his contract runs out in a few years.

As for poor LiAngelo [Fredo], he's turned a few bucks as a pro too.

LeVar has his own rap about the injuries, but either way, his sons have cashed in bigtime, and that's what it's all about. Hopefully they can shoot a few bucks Fredo's way.

That has led to some questions about the methods that their father, LaVar Ball, used to prepare them to become professional basketball players. In a recent piece published by Bill Reiter of CBS Sports, he asked LaVar about those injuries. With his typical bravado, he blamed the injuries on NBA staff training his boys incorrectly compared to what he had been doing with them.

“They say, oh, LaVar, you worked the boys out too hard — that’s why they hurt,” LaVar said. “No, the reason they hurt is because they got away from me. And they start doing these roody-poo workouts. Because if you keep running them hills, you’re going to keep that power and that strength. But you start dealing with these rubber bands and doing this lightweight stuff, of course you’re going to start breaking down.”

[Bobbymcgee]

LaMelo is the only one I would be interested in seeing the Clippers take a risk on but he is signed with CHA for 5 more years.

I wouldn't mind seeing the Clippers trying out Lonzo on a minimum deal. He has a lot to prove. I don't think his body will last much longer though so probably not worth it.

[playaloc916]

It's a hard pass from me. Between high injury risk players or younger buy low/value players (off court issues, players from Europe /G-League, etc..), I'd go with whoever's likely to be able to play. You never know when you might hit on another Batum or Reggie.

[Sofia]

Lonzo seems like less of a clown than the rest of the family, but the injury risk is too great to invest any significant money.

I don’t think there’s much of a market for him at the moment though, so I would take a low risk swing and offer a slightly above the minimum on a short contract with a player option to give him the chance to show he can still stay healthy and contribute, probably in an 8th man role.