Call it a “Big Baller Bullseye.”
Reggie Miller says his fellow UCLA product Lonzo Ball will have a “huge bullseye” on his back once he enters the NBA because of all the controversial comments his father Lavar Ball has made.
“Absolutely, I know if I was playing I would go after that kid,” Miller said on ESPN’s ‘Pardon the Interruption.’ “Absolutely.
“His father, with his mouth, he’s going to have to cash a lot of checks for that. Absolutely, so yes. I know if I was in the league and I heard all this, ‘Oh, you’re better than Steph [Curry], you’re better than LeBron [James]. Yes, absolutely. Huge bullseye. Huge.”
The Lakers pick at No. 2 in the NBA Draft on June 22nd and the Ball Camp has made it clear to everyone who will listen that they want Lonzo to play in L.A. under Magic Johnson’s leadership and for coach Luke Walton.
“I hope the Celtics don’t take Lonzo,” Lavar Ball said recently on FS1. “Markelle Fultz is the perfect pick for them. He’s the best player. Take him.”
He added: “If Lonzo goes to the Lakers, they’re going to the playoffs.”
“I hope the Celtics don’t take Lonzo. Markelle Fultz is the perfect pick for them. He’s the best player. Take him.” — @Lavarbigballer pic.twitter.com/KHCspnD6wq
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) May 17, 2017
Miller said he thinks the 6-foot-6 Ball “is a great talent,” but that Johnson or someone in the NBA will have to straighten out the dad to the best of their ability.
“I think he’s going to be a great NBA player and right now Magic is sitting probably in the best position,” Miller said. “According to Papa Ball, he’s only going to work out for the Lakers…Right now if you’re Magic you’re sitting in the catbird seat, this is what you want.
“What you don’t want is some of the baggage that comes with it. If Luke Walton doesn’t think this young kid is cuttin git and cuts his minutes, is he going to have hear from Papa Ball. Is he going to come on your show [PTI] and start spewing some crazy stuff. There’s a little bit of baggage that comes with that and you’ve gotta take that into consideration as well. But in terms of basketball, Lonzo Ball is the truth.”
**For more on Ball, listen to the latest edition of The 4 Quarters Podcast.
