You never know what LaVar Ball is going to say.
The outspoken father of NBA players LaMelo, Lonzo and G Leaguer LiAngelo always creates a scene when he opens his mouth and Wednesday was no different on 95.7 The Game's "The Morning Roast." When talking with Bonta Hill and Joe Shasky, Ball took aim at Warriors coach Steve Kerr, saying LaMelo wouldn't have worked out with Golden State. Check out the full interview below:
"I knew that Melo wasn't going to go to Golden State because of the coach," Ball said. "He called me -- I don't know if he called me a Kardashian or my son, I don't know what he said -- but I called him the Milli Vanilli of coaching. That was not going to work.
"How are you going to play for a guy who's kind of mad at your dad? Now you gotta listen to him? I can see him saying, 'I'm your employer, don't listen to what your daddy says.' I can see that. That's not going to let Melo play. You got to think about your coach and your father."
Back in 2018, Kerr indeed called Ball the "Kardashian of the NBA" while speaking with reporters and it appears he didn't forget. In March, Ball retorted with his "Milli Vanilli" comment.
LaMelo and the Charlotte Hornets visit the Chase Center Wednesday at 7 p.m. PT on 95.7 The Game, as the Warriors continue their franchise-long eight-game homestand.
The Warriors held the No. 2 overall pick in 2020 and there was plenty of speculation they'd use the pick on LaMelo, but they went with James Wiseman instead. While LaMelo won 2020-21 Rookie of the Year and is averaging 20.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists, the Warriors are still banking on Wiseman to be their big man of the future as he wades through an injury-filled first two seasons.
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Judging from Ball's comments, the Warriors probably avoided a massive media headache. Ball loves to insert himself into the storyline and I can't imagine he, LaMelo and Kerr would have co-existed quietly and peacefully.
"That would have looked awesome," Ball said. "As far as the makeup of the team, that would've been awesome. I don't see the coach and the father thing … it would get away from basketball. People wouldn't be, like, 'Oh, they're talking about basketball.' They'd be asking questions about your dad and Steve Kerr. You just get away from basketball.
"But the team, that would have been awesome. I'll let you know, he woulda been running loose with them boys."
Ball also shared a lukewarm take on Steph Curry, criticizing the Warriors superstar for his size.
"Steph Curry is good, he can shoot that ball," Ball said. "But he's still little. Whoever the strongest is at the position, is usually going to be the best."
Even though LaMelo is playing for Michael Jordan, who is the majority owner of the Hornets, Ball isn't backing off his claim he could top MJ one-on-one.
"There's no way he can beat me one-on-one," Ball said. "I was 6-foot-6, 270 [pounds] and benching 500 pounds. One-on-one? You're going to need some help. I don't care if you're George Washington or Jesus, you can't beat me one-on-one."
So, yeah, in case you're wondering -- LaVar Ball hasn't changed one bit.
