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UCLA Basketball: 2017 NBA Draft profile – LaVar Ball

By Mike Regalado

Mar 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Lavar Ball, father of UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2), reacts at the end of the game against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Lavar Ball, father of UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2), reacts at the end of the game against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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This Thursday we finally find out where LaVar Ball goes in the 2017 NBA Draft, when his son, former UCLA PG Lonzo Ball, gets drafted.

The 2017 NBA Draft has a certain buzz about it. A lot of that buzz has to with which team will draft UCLA Basketball dad, LaVar Ball.

RELATED: NBA Draft Profiles – Lonzo Ball, TJ Leaf, Ike Anigbogu

You might be thinking, “Mike, don’t you mean, Lonzo Ball you crazy nut?” No, I truly mean LaVar Ball. As I previously wrote, which ever team drafts Lonzo, also drafts LaVar. So with that we look at the strength and weaknesses LaVar brings to the NBA team that drafts him (and his son).

Vital Stats

HeightWeightAgeHometown
 6′ 6″ 320 lbs. 48 Canoga Park, CA

Strengths

LaVar Ball has a very confident and outgoing personality, which fits perfectly in today’s NBA. Ball is strong willed and a born leader. Aside from getting Lonzo prepared for college and the NBA by having him develop a consistent outside shot and become a prolific distributor, he also has two younger sons (LiAngelo and LaMelo) that are developing into successful basketball players, both of whom are committed to UCLA.

Ball is also very inovative. Not only has he molded a new type of basketball player, he has also created his own brand for his sons. Big Baller Brand, once a dream, is now a name known across the country. With very little advertising, mostly by word of (his) mouth, Ball has been able to get his family’s brand out to the public.

LaVar is also very strategic. He has a keen sense of trends, which has helped his sons and BBB to grow. And although what he says might ruffle feathers, the bottom line is that he is getting his agenda across.

Season Stats (per game)

PointsAssistsReboundsFG%3FG%FT%
 2.2 1.02.340.40.045.0

Weaknesses

One of the biggest character flaws that could put teams off of drafting LaVar — I mean Lonzo — is that the father is not coachable. Ball is equivant to a “shoot first point guard”, and is not exactly a team player.

Ball knows how to promote his brand, but often does it by criticizing those that do not agree with his tactics. Whether it is NBA legends to mega-shoe companies, LaVar believes he knows it all. From a business standpoint, alienating potential clientele is not good to grow his brand. From a team standpoint, his often boisterous comments are not good for his son to build chemistry with his teammates (and could easily make enemies). That type of personality might clash with some NBA execs.

Ball also suffers from delusions of grandeur. He has stated that he could beat Michael Jordan in his hayday, Lonzo is better (now) than Steph Curry and if apparel companies like Nike, Adidas or Under Armour want to purchase his Big Baller Brand, it will cost them $3 billion. Being fickle with reporters and telling them to “stay in yo lane” does not help either.

Next: Former Bruin Jonah Bolden sneaking up draft boards

Final Analysis

Ultimately, teams will select LaVar — I mean Lonzo — for his talent. What comes with the former Bruin is the Bruin dad. Though LaVar could potentially be a headache for any NBA orginaization, he is dedicated to his vision. Whether it is getting his sons NBA-ready or promoting his brand, LaVar will get the work done. It is also possibly he will never die.