Lakers asked LaVar to tone down public criticism of Walton

LaVar Ball might finally start piping down.

Los Angeles Lakers brass recently sat down with Lonzo Ball's father and asked him to scale back his public criticisms of head coach Luke Walton to promote a more positive atmosphere around his son, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

LaVar confirmed the meeting took place, telling Shelburne "it was the best thing" for resolving the issue.

"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.

"It may sound crazy to other people, but I really just want the best for Lonzo, and the best for Lonzo is going to be what's best for the organization. Because if everybody winning, we good."

Lakers president Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka reportedly called for the meeting, but wouldn't comment on it. It's believed they have no problem with the Ball patriarch speaking his mind, as long as he remains positive when speaking about the team.

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

Related: LaVar says Lakers' media policy won't stop him from talking

The outspoken father of three pro hoopers, who admitted he doesn't have a relationship with Walton, has lambasted the "soft" Lakers and singled out the bench boss for not knowing how to coach his son, not playing him enough down the stretch, and calling timeouts when he should "do the Big Baller move" and let the kids play.

Walton dismissed such talk, recently saying, "We don't take parents' opinions into our coaching decisions and how we're trying to grow as a group."

LaVar's shenanigans with the media are believed to have a role in the team enforcing the so-called "LaVar Ball rule," which aims to keep reporters away from players' guests following games at Staples Center.