Post: #101

I just looked him up, 6'2 160Lbs, pretty small to be playing in a pro league at 16.

Seems like a weird route to the NBA for an American kid but I wish him luck and hope his Dad doesn't fuck up his NBA dream.

Post: #102

Post: #103

(12-20-2017 04:22 PM)budoslavic Wrote:  

Sounds to me like a free promotion of his brand and when it falls through/never materializes he'll say that it was someone else's fault.

Post: #104

(12-20-2017 05:45 PM)AneroidOcean Wrote:  

(12-20-2017 04:22 PM)budoslavic Wrote:  

Sounds to me like a free promotion of his brand and when it falls through/never materializes he'll say that it was someone else's fault.

You are almost certainly correct in predicting this. However, I will give LaVar some credit and say this is a good idea, and could be made to work with the right marketing, showmanship, and tie-ins or sponsors. Definitely easier said than done, but I think it is absolutely doable by the right person.

Post: #105

(12-20-2017 04:22 PM)budoslavic Wrote:  

No way he's making enough money off the shoes to bankroll this by himself. Is Lonzo paying it out of his rookie salary??

A league like that will have costs in the millions(renting venues, paying officials, commentators, camera crews, security, uniforms, medical personnel, etc).

Like most at the beginning of this thread I thought he was a red-pill visionary with a fuck the system attitude but with passing post and news story I'm more and more convinced Lavar is stark raving mad.

He's so strapped for cash that he ordered his son to steal those designer sunglasses in China so he could sell them for more capital.

Post: #106

(12-20-2017 07:07 PM)RoastBeefCurtains4Me Wrote:  You are almost certainly correct in predicting this. However, I will give LaVar some credit and say this is a good idea, and could be made to work with the right marketing, showmanship, and tie-ins or sponsors. Definitely easier said than done, but I think it is absolutely doable by the right person.

It's not a good idea at all. It's a terrible, amateurish idea with basically zero possibility of becoming anything less than a disaster.

And you don't go belly up on a tens or hundreds of million dollar investment as a publicity stunt, especially when you're barely a multimillionaire.

Even Donald Trump and Vince McMahon, already highly successful businessmen with world class contacts and loads of capital, could not make the USFL and XFL work -- and, if I'm not mistaken, lost money and damaged their brands in the process.

In Trump's case, he even had one of the best running backs of all time in his corner (Herschel Walker).

Meanwhile, has Big Baller Brand even signed an athlete whose last name isn't Ball? Hell, have they even shipped any shoes?

Most top basketball prospects would be idiots to forgo college, considering it is BY FAR the easiest and most successful path to the NBA. It is THE pipeline.

Where is Brandon Jennings right now? Emmanual Mudiay? Dante Exum? Dude isn't even the best PG prospect on the Jazz anymore.

But even if a player did want to avoid college ball, there are already tons of international clubs to play for, all of which have established programs, good players and coaches, and are familiar to NBA scouts.

And there's also the NBDL, which doesn't pay $10k a month but has a direct relationship with NBA teams and is filled with players currently signed to NBA rosters.

With this in mind, why would any decent prospect sign with "Big Baller League"? Even dropping a few draft spots would cost players more than they would make in the league.

And without players, where is the league?

Forget about the tons of capital, personnel, etc. needed. Even with all that, they won't be able to attract enough talent to make it worthwhile.

Again, the NBDL is filled with NBA players, yet it's fanbase is basically nonexistent and its max pay (for noncontracted players) is $25k.

If LaVar had said he was going to start something like a more professional version of the And-1 street team or Harlem Globetrotters and tour them around for exhibition matches with top college or international pro teams, that would be slightly more probable.

But creating a whole league? With what experience, what capital, what players?

I would say it's going to be a trainwreck, but this is just more bullshit and hot air by LaVar because he and/or his sons are already unhappy about being in Lithuania.

The difference between LaVar and people like Trump, Vince McMahon, Kanye West, etc. is that the latter three guys actually have incredible amounts of talent, intelligence, and work ethic.

You can't just bullshit and bullshit forever without delivering and expect to hit 9 or 10 figures. Lonzo is having a mediocre rookie season, the BBB shoes still haven't even shipped, the ink is barely dry on LaMelo and LiAngelo's contracts in Lithuania, and LaVar is already pitching these grand schemes that would take hundreds of millions to make work.

This is becoming more and more of a joke, but the not-so-funny part is that it may end up costing both LaVar's sons and other young men who are stupid enough to get caught up in his pipe dreams.

Post: #107

(12-20-2017 08:42 PM)Enigma Wrote:  You can't just bullshit and bullshit forever without delivering and expect to hit 9 or 10 figures. Lonzo is having a mediocre rookie season, the BBB shoes still haven't even shipped, the ink is barely dry on LaMelo and LiAngelo's contracts in Lithuania, and LaVar is already pitching these grand schemes that would take hundreds of millions to make work.

Thanks for your post, it reminded me of an important lesson I stumbled across in life.

Those who claim to be "ballers," rarely are.

The entire name is try hard. "Big Baller" even more so.

Post: #108

(12-20-2017 08:42 PM)Enigma Wrote:  

(12-20-2017 07:07 PM)RoastBeefCurtains4Me Wrote:  You are almost certainly correct in predicting this. However, I will give LaVar some credit and say this is a good idea, and could be made to work with the right marketing, showmanship, and tie-ins or sponsors. Definitely easier said than done, but I think it is absolutely doable by the right person.

It's not a good idea at all. It's a terrible, amateurish idea with basically zero possibility of becoming anything less than a disaster.

And you don't go belly up on a tens or hundreds of million dollar investment as a publicity stunt, especially when you're barely a multimillionaire.

Even Donald Trump and Vince McMahon, already highly successful businessmen with world class contacts and loads of capital, could not make the USFL and XFL work -- and, if I'm not mistaken, lost money and damaged their brands in the process.

In Trump's case, he even had one of the best running backs of all time in his corner (Herschel Walker).

Meanwhile, has Big Baller Brand even signed an athlete whose last name isn't Ball? Hell, have they even shipped any shoes?

Most top basketball prospects would be idiots to forgo college, considering it is BY FAR the easiest and most successful path to the NBA. It is THE pipeline.

Where is Brandon Jennings right now? Emmanual Mudiay? Dante Exum? Dude isn't even the best PG prospect on the Jazz anymore.

But even if a player did want to avoid college ball, there are already tons of international clubs to play for, all of which have established programs, good players and coaches, and are familiar to NBA scouts.

And there's also the NBDL, which doesn't pay $10k a month but has a direct relationship with NBA teams and is filled with players currently signed to NBA rosters.

With this in mind, why would any decent prospect sign with "Big Baller League"? Even dropping a few draft spots would cost players more than they would make in the league.

And without players, where is the league?

Forget about the tons of capital, personnel, etc. needed. Even with all that, they won't be able to attract enough talent to make it worthwhile.

Again, the NBDL is filled with NBA players, yet it's fanbase is basically nonexistent and its max pay (for noncontracted players) is $25k.

If LaVar had said he was going to start something like a more professional version of the And-1 street team or Harlem Globetrotters and tour them around for exhibition matches with top college or international pro teams, that would be slightly more probable.

But creating a whole league? With what experience, what capital, what players?
...

But it's not a terrible idea in theory without precedence though. This is already how hockey functions. NHL recruits most heavily from the CHL, a "junior" league with players aged 16-20 that forgo NCAA eligibility.

I agree he has zero chance of making this work for basketball though. Fantasy land.

Post: #109

(12-20-2017 07:32 PM)Goldin Boy Wrote:  I'm more and more convinced Lavar is stark raving mad an attention whore.

Fixed it for you buddy.

Quote:He's so strapped for cash that he ordered his son to steal those designer sunglasses in China so he could sell them for more capital.

Damn, is this true?

Post: #110

Quote:Damn, is this true?

Of course not. That's rampant speculation, especially considering they just purchased an estate out in Chino Hills.

And Lonzo Ball has been playing quite well recently, he's #5 on the NBA's rookie ladder, leads the Lakers in rebounds and assists and definitely has a bright future with the Lakers although he has certainly not lived up to Lavar's bluster (who could?)

Overall, I'm having a hard time understanding the criticism of Lavar here when he is basically the same thing as Trump. Not a perfect guy by any stretch, but he keeps his family and household in check and is a great marketer regardless.

Post: #111

He’s risking his kid’s futures for his own ego. He’s not the same as trump, because even trump in his early days likely knew when it was best to STFU, show a little respect, and to listen.

His actions have taken him beyond those of a determined parent and turned him into an egomaniac with an ax to grind. His kid’s are already paying for his bullshit.

Post: #112

Quote:even trump in his early days likely knew when it was best to STFU, show a little respect, and to listen.

Trump to me is a brilliant marketer who won't back down from anybody. And if you take a shot at him he will punch back 10x harder. Haven't seen the quiet and more cautious side of him in a LONG time.

Don't get me wrong. I disagree with half of the stuff Lavar does although you could make an argument for him being a great father up until recently. It's just surprising to me that people here would be critical of him since he doesn't back down from anyone (including women) and clearly runs his family like an alpha.

Post: #113

Lavar has to deliver a few pairs of his $500 shoes before I call him a marketing success.

Post: #114

The shoes have been shipped!

This guy isn't impressed and straight-up roasts them(but he paid $500 for them so he played himself).






Not sure how the "shoe expert" (black jacket) survived the last round of ESPN lay-offs. Didn't know that role was so critical, review starts at 08:45





Did anyone on here buy them/seen them in person?

Post: #115

LiAngelo Ball has declared for the 2018 draft. To me seems like a very risky pick, isn't nearly as good as his older brother, and definitely won't have the leverage to hold out to play for only the Lakers.

I can maybe see a team risking a lower level draft pick on him, but I wouldn't be shocked if no one picked him. At least worst case he can keep playing overseas for a living and not have to deal with American women.


https://sports.yahoo.com/agent-liangelo-...24934.html

Post: #116

(03-27-2018 12:49 PM)Repo Wrote:  LiAngelo Ball has declared for the 2018 draft. To me seems like a very risky pick, isn't nearly as good as his older brother, and definitely won't have the leverage to hold out to play for only the Lakers.

I can maybe see a team risking a lower level draft pick on him, but I wouldn't be shocked if no one picked him. At least worst case he can keep playing overseas for a living and not have to deal with American women.


https://sports.yahoo.com/agent-liangelo-...24934.html

Hard to imagine anyone dealing with him for his talent level + his father.

Lonzo at least has the talent to make the headache somewhat worth it.

Post: #117

I read a story about how the Lakers may offer LiAngelo a summer league spot as an incentive for Lavar to chill and follow their instructions.

It makes sense since since 90% of summer league players don't play in real games anyway, and LiAngelo could make the Lakers G-League team which would boost their ticket sales tremendously.

G-League players sometimes play a few regular season games around this time of year when teams start accruing injuries, and the difference between LiAngelo and another benchwarmer playing 5 MPG to jack up a couple 3s isn't that great.

And it's all a legit lure to keep Lavar in line.

Post: #118

Lonzo still has alot of work to do on his shot, but him and Kuzma have great chemistry, Lakers aren't getting rid of him no matter what Lavar does, plus his personality seems pretty chill. Both Lakers and 76rs seem to have a great future barring any injuries.

Post: #119

Clubs will line up to throw money at LiAngelo. People will go watch games just to see him, because of all the hype his dad has brought. It's a no-brainer business wise.

Post: #120

(03-28-2018 06:12 AM)glugger Wrote:  Clubs will line up to throw money at LiAngelo. People will go watch games just to see him, because of all the hype his dad has brought. It's a no-brainer business wise.

Like Enigma has posted about in the past, NBA players are not some middling average athletes. If many college athletes are world class athletes and the NBA has the smallest pool of college to pro athletes of all American sports (including the NFL), what makes you think this kid is going to automatically get picked up? Hype? Nah bro. NBA has enough legit hype with legit athletes. Pretenders cannot even hoof it through the D league, let alone an actual NBA roster.

His brother can hoop. I watched a couple of hours of film on him before the Lakers drafted him, and I agreed with what alot of scouts saw in him. There was a reason for him getting drafted. His skills are legit. We shall see what he develops into over time, but he could end up as good as James Harden is now. It's very possible.

Maybe I should watch some film of LiAngelo, but no basketball scouts I follow is even talking about him. It sounds like he is a second rounder at the best. Scouts usually talk alot about first rounders, because those are the guys that typically make it. The NBA second rounders are like the 4th and 5th round picks in the NFL. Basically prospects and developmental players.

When someone usually comes straight from high school they usually have some crazy measurables (tall with big hands), elite ball handling skills, amazing shot potential, leadership abilities on the court.

Kobe Bryant was drafted 13th in his draft. He came straight from high school, but won championships and broke records.

Lebron James was being talked about since middle school. He was a man child.

Kevin Garnett was drafted 5th in his draft. He was also probably close to the 6'11" he is. Again, crazy measurables. People talk about how he scored too low on the ACT for college, but come on, eventually he could have passed it with some tutoring. He isn't dumb. He went to the NBA because he could.

If time could be turned back, Kobe and Kevin would have been drafted first, obviously, but teams get skeptical of guys that do not play in college. There is not enough film study to know what they are capable of against meaningful competition.

I bet Kevin Durant, if he skipped playing at UT for college, would have been a high draft pick coming out of high school, but I bet his mom would have beaten him had he done that. Maybe not. Who knows.

Post: #121

(03-28-2018 07:06 AM)TravelerKai Wrote:  

(03-28-2018 06:12 AM)glugger Wrote:  Clubs will line up to throw money at LiAngelo. People will go watch games just to see him, because of all the hype his dad has brought. It's a no-brainer business wise.

Lebron James was being talked about since middle school. He still is a man child.

Fixed that for you.

Post: #122

There is no way LiAngelo is getting drafted. The negatives far outweigh the positives such as he is not athletic enough defensively or that he cannot create his own shot at an NBA level and with the evolving offenses of today it is critical that your wing players are able to create their own shots. The LaVar factor compounds his glaring weaknesses and his situation in China doesn't help him, there will be a lot of questions regarding that. Teams don't want to deal with that drama, the Lakers put up with LaVar because Lonzo is extremely talented, has no disciplinary problems, and he has great potential upside. LiAngelos's best case is that he will go undrafted, play in the summer league and hopefully do well and earn a spot in the G-League. At worst he'll just continue to play in Europe.

Post: #123

LaVar's marketing at work again, setting up games for LiAngelo to score 72...

Some of those guys look like they're in middle school.

https://www.sbnation.com/2018/3/27/17169...ft-declare

Post: #124

^^@TravelerKai.

I agree with everything you said, But the Ball family, and especially Liangelo, are the exception to the rule.

First off, he was verbally committed to UCLA as a sophomore, and was a three star recruit. Admittedly, I don't know much about the scouting and drafting process. But the verbally committing to a college doesnt seem to be a thing that's just done willy nilly.

Secondly, He's still a solid athlete. He might not be physically outstanding in the NBA, but he's not a small man. He's 6 foot 5, and has a lot of size on him for someone his age. He's hardly a pushover in that sense.

Thirdly, He's not straight from high school. If he was still at UCLA, he would be classed as a one-and-done. Instead he's competed for a year against men in a Lithuanian league. The strength of that league obviously isn't NBA level, but he had a respectable record, averaging over 15 points a game.

Playing overseas for a year before entering the draft is not unheard of either. Mudiay and Terrance Ferguson are two players off the top of my head who followed this route. And I expect more players in the future to do this, as they realise they can cut their teeth against bigger stronger men, AND make money doing it, instead of lining the University's pockets.

No one's saying he'll be a number one draft pick. But I think there are a lot of teams who will at least consider him.

Post: #125

Well here's your chance for those still yearning to support these crooks lol