LaVar Ball: Lonzo has brand independence, can wear any shoes he wants
A lot of commotion has been made over the shoes Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball has worn over his last two Summer League appearances, choosing not to don his own Big Baller Brand signature footwear.
The UCLA product averaged eight points, eight assists, and 7.5 rebounds in his Z02s during his first two outings, then followed that up incredible stat lines wearing Nikes in one game and Adidas in another. LaVar Ball, Lonzo's outspoken father, has no problem with Lonzo wearing non-BBB gear, as he has no obligations like he would if he were to sign on with a different company.
"You can do that all day, just so you can have something to write about," LaVar told ESPN's Jovan Buha about critics comparing his son's numbers in different kicks. "That boy can play barefoot and do the same thing. You just let him know he can play in any shoe he feels like, and that's how that Big Baller Brand roll. We got that independence, we don't have to be strapped down.
Related: LaVar unconcerned with Lonzo's summer league stats: 'You just gotta win'
"You know how many players want to do that? Try another shoe on and can't? Sit their ass down and wear the one they told 'em to tie their foot to. Keep your foot in their shoe, on and off the court. Can't tell my boy nothing like that. He roll what he want."
Related - 'Just do it': LeBron urges Lonzo to switch to Nike
LaVar isn't ruling out Lonzo eventually joining another big shoe brand, as long as the price is right. He has said in the past that he would want a $1-billion deal for all three of his sons.
"Quite frankly we are officially in the shoe game, and are a billion dollar brand either way," Ball told ESPN's Darren Rovell.