LaVar Ball agrees to curb criticism of Lakers coach

LaVar Ball, the outspoken father of Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball, was asked by the team to curb his criticism of head coach Luke Walton.

Arranged by Lakers president of basketball operations and NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson as well as general manager Rob Pelinka, the meeting took place weeks ago and was aimed at creating a more positive atmosphere around Lonzo, sources told ESPN.

The Lakers have not responded to a request for comment, but LaVar Ball did confirm the story to ESPN.

‘It was the best thing, man,’ LaVar told ESPN. ‘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.’

Lavar Ball (right) watches his son Lonzo Ball (No. 2), a rookie point guard, play for the Lakers

LaVar took aim at Walton and the Lakers coaching staff during a rough stretch in November.

‘They’re soft,’ LaVar Ball told Bleacher Report. ‘They don’t know how to coach my son. I know how to coach him. I tell him to go get the victory. Stop messing around.’

Walton, the a former Lakers player and the son of NBA legend Bill Walton, did not respond in kind.

‘They have their own relationship,’ Walton told The Orange County Register earlier this month. ‘Lonzo does a great job of doing what we ask him to do. I don’t know what they talk about in private, but Lonzo’s an incredible team player. He’s here to make our team better. He’s always been on board with what we try to do.

‘We don’t take parents’ opinions into our coaching decisions and how we’re trying to grow as a group,’ Walton continued. ‘The relationship with Lonzo means a lot to me, so I stay in constant contact with him and how he’s doing. But as far as other people’s thoughts on what we should do, I don’t concern myself with those.’

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton talks to rookie guard Lonzo Ball on Tuesday night

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton talks to rookie guard Lonzo Ball on Tuesday night

Los Angeles Lakers legend and current president of basketball operations Magic Johnson talks with film director Spike Lee during Tuesday's game at Madison Square Garden 

Los Angeles Lakers legend and current president of basketball operations Magic Johnson talks with film director Spike Lee during Tuesday’s game at Madison Square Garden 

The Lakers are 10-16 on the season after Tuesday’s overtime loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. LaVar was in attendance after opening a pop-up shop for his Big Baller Brand of athletic apparel in Manhattan over the weekend, and even had a brief, seemingly friendly exchange with Johnson and film director Spike Lee, a notorious Knicks fan.

Magic Johnson (left) greets LaVar Ball at Tuesday's Knicks-Lakers game in Manhattan

Magic Johnson (left) greets LaVar Ball at Tuesday’s Knicks-Lakers game in Manhattan

As LaVar Ball told ESPN, he agreed with Johnson and Pelinka and told the pair he would try and tone down his criticism of the team.

Of course, that does not mean LaVar will be staying quiet.

‘I’m going to say whatever I want to say, however I want to say it,’ Ball said. ‘And they said, ‘LaVar, come and talk to us first.’ So that’s fine, too.

‘But I am going to say, to plant a seed, ‘Let’s look for this now.’ They may not want to hear that, but it’s going to be successful if you listen to what I’m saying on that fact, that I know what it takes for my son to run like this.’

Earlier this season, the Lakers began enforcing what’s become known as ‘The LaVar Ball rule,’ which bars media from gathering in the family section of the arena after games.

Typically family, agents, and friends wait for the players at one end of Staples Center after games.

Reporters were previously allowed to interview players in that area, but the team is now enforcing an existing rule preventing the media from doing so.

(from left to right) Lonzo Ball's mother Tina Ball, LaVar Ball, LaMelo Ball and LiAngelo Ball attend the Los Angeles Lakers- New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday

(from left to right) Lonzo Ball’s mother Tina Ball, LaVar Ball, LaMelo Ball and LiAngelo Ball attend the Los Angeles Lakers- New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday

 



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