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Pandering to LaVar Ball got a female referee removed from a game, and it will get worse

By Mike Regalado

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: LaVar Ball, father of second overall pick Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers, speaks to media during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: LaVar Ball, father of second overall pick Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers, speaks to media during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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Because people keep pandering to LaVar Ball, a female referee was removed from an AAU game and if this continues, worse will happen because of Ball.

LaVar Ball, father of former UCLA Basketball player Lonzo Ball, is trying to make a name for himself in many areas, which is a great plan for a businessman, because promoting yourself is the way to get noticed. The problem is, he is doing it by shaming people and showing bad sportsmanship when things do not go his way, which is not a good look.

RELATED: Theater of the Absurd: LaVar Ball is a character in search of an author

Among his many ventures, Ball has taken up coaching an AAU team, which is self-righteously named, Big Baller Brand, and he is

being just as loud

making just as much noise in that circuit as he has in the high school, college and now pro basketball ranks.

If Ball wants to forfeit, let him. In fact, don’t let him enter another tournament.

Last week, Ball made headlines when he pulled his team off the floor after he received a technical foul. That forced BBB to forfeit their playoff game. On Friday, a similar situation happened, though the result was a lot worse than BBB simply forfeiting a game.

During the first half, a female referee gave Ball a technical foul and once again he threatened to have his team walk off, which they started to. Instead, the game resumed after a representative from Adidas gave the OK for the female referee to be replaced. According to Ball, she had a “vendetta”.

ESPN quoted Ball as saying (which had hints of sexist undertones):

"She got a vendetta because she’s a woman who’s trying to act… I get that she’s trying to break into the refereeing thing, but just giving techs and calling fouls, that’s no way to do it. I know what she trying to say: “Oh I gave him a tech. I’m strong.” That ain’t got nothing to do with it. Just call the game. If you’re going to be qualified, you better be in shape and you better know the game. And she’s bad on both of them. She’s not in shape, she’s not calling the game right. And she don’t understand."

Vendetta. Okay, LaVar. By the way, he was given a second technical foul in the second half of that game, resulting in his ejection.

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So because LaVar Ball complained about the referee (he actually said during the game, “We need to get someone else in here”), Adidas pandered to him instead of letting him forfeit the game. That is a despicable way to run a game that is suppose to focus on the good nature of youth sports.

If Ball wants to forfeit, let him. In fact, don’t let him enter another tournament.

LaVar is a rookie in this game and is strutting around like he has been here for years and people are allowing this. I love Adidas, but this is a disgrace for one of their reps to allow this to happen. Not only does a referee get replaced because of LaVar, but he then insults her. Similar to the way he has insulted white basketball players, a female reporter and former professional basketball players.

This will only get worse if someone doesn’t tell LaVar to stay in his lane. If that is the case, then why not pave a smooth path to trophies and championships for him?

Well, because it takes away from the hard working kids that are busting their behinds to get to a tournament of this magnitude, even the one’s on BBB. And for Ball to toy with it as he pleases shows disrespect to the integrity of the game.

Next: Lonzo Ball wins NBA Summer League MVP

But as long as tournament and shoe company officials reward his behavior, Ball’s attitude will only get worse. And for UCLA Basketball fans, expect to see more of the same the next few years. Ball’s second oldest son LiAngelo Ball is currently enrolled at UCLA and the youngest, LaMelo Ball, has committed to UCLA for 2019. Start in, Bruin fans.