Big BALLin'

Lonzo Ball.  LaVar Ball.  Lonzo Ball.  LaVar Ball.  Lonz...... You see where I'm going here.

Prior to last week's NBA draft, these two names were the most talked about among the league; and only one of them is a player.  The other?  His outspoken dad.

I'll preface my thoughts by admitting that I don't watch a lot of NCAA basketball.  I'm more of an NBA guy.  But, like most sports fan, I fill out a March Madness bracket every year and watch closely.  Aside from that, I might catch a handful of other games throughout the season.  So, obviously, I wasn't too aware of the superstars of the college hoops season this year.

But I learned one name real quick.  Lonzo Ball; the superstar from UCLA.  And how did I learn of this guy?  Not by watching him (I missed UCLA's opening tournament game).  It was from an interview with LaVar Ball.

I can't recall exactly what was said, but I remember thinking "Is this guy crazy?!  He's gonna ruin his son's chances at the NBA,".  Surely no team would want to put up with this guy's dad, right?  Boy, was I wrong.

Aside from being a fantastic ball player, Lonzo has the added advantage of having a dad who is a marketing master.  One of the most important things for a collegiate athlete getting ready for the pros is creating a buzz; getting his name out there to the public and to the teams.  And LaVar knocked it out of the park for him.

From his claims of being able to beat Michael Jordan in a one-on-one game of basketball, to his statements about his son Lonzo being better than Steph, Lebron, and Westbrook, LaVar has catapulted he and his son into the spotlight.  Even if you don't follow college hoops (like me), you know damn well who Lonzo and LaVar Ball are.

Before the draft lottery to determine the draft order for the NBA, LaVar guaranteed his son would be a Laker.  He didn't know when the Lakers would pick.  But he knew he would be a Laker.  Lonzo decided to only workout for the Lakers.  For months, all we heard from LaVar was that his son Lonzo would be a Laker.  And last week it happened.  Lonzo was drafted second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers.  And LaVar had a Laker-colored hat ready and waiting.  Lonzo took the stage in Laker-colored shoes that he had waiting on hand.  The foresight of the Ball men had come true.

Then there's the shoes.  Oh, the shoes. 

After not reaching a figure desired by the Ball men for a sponsorship and shoe deal with Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas, they created their own brand:  Big Baller Brand.  They unveiled a sexy new sneaker with a hefty price:  $495.  When I read this, I couldn't help but wonder why they would dare price a shoe that expensive; especially for a guy who hasn't even stepped foot on the NBA hardwood.  But then I thought "Why the hell not?". 

LaVar and Big Baller were crushed on social media and in the press.  Even pro athletes called him crazy.  But for every person calling him crazy, there was a person typing in a credit card number.  And while LaVar hasn't divulged an exact number, you have to assume the shoes are moving or new products wouldn't keep coming out (have you seen those Z02 Sho'Time shoes?  Man, they're nice.  Too bad I'm not a Lakers fan).  And for those that say they're too expensive?  Well, LaVar has a simple explanation: "If you can't afford the Z02's, you're NOT a BIG BALLER!"

And while I may not be big ballin' enough to afford a pair (although those hats are very tempting), you can't hate on a man who's personally-made product is bringing in the dough.

LaVar is brash.  Outspoken.  In-you-face.  But, he's also a self-made business man.  He's a marketing genius.  He's the owner of his own clothing line.  And he's got some talented sons.

People (myself included) have been saying LaVar is crazy since March; and all he's done is make his brand more popular while the paychecks flow in.  And I, for one, have to respect that.

Time will tell how Lonzo fares in the NBA.  But there's no doubt that he and his father have fared exceptionally for the last several months.  Somehow, a man who's name was virtually unknown to those outside of California prior to this year, has turned his name into a business.  The Big Baller Brand.  And he has also helped his son become the most talked-about NBA prospect to enter the league since LeBron James.
 
Call me wrong. Call me crazy. I just call it how I see it. #NailedIt