LaVar Ball, CEO of Big Baller Brand and father to NBA stars Lonzo and LaMelo Ball, reignited the Ja Morant gun controversy discussion during a recent TikTok Q&A. When asked to pick the best rising NBA talent between Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and French phenom Victor Wembanyama, LaVar paused and then chose Morant, citing a startling reason.
“Uh, I have to go with Ja Morant ‘cause he might shoot me.”
He followed up by explaining his choice over Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, calling Morant “a wild guy” and remarking that he needed to be cautious around him.
“Ja Morant ‘cause he’s a wild guy. I gotta watch out for him.”
LaVar’s remarks brought back memories of Morant’s past controversies involving firearms. In March 2023, Morant faced a suspension from the NBA after showing a gun on an Instagram Live video. After entering a counseling program in Florida, Morant promised NBA Commissioner Adam Silver that he would reform his behavior. Yet, a month later, Morant again appeared with a gun during an Instagram Live session, which led to a Memphis Grizzlies suspension and ultimately a 25-game league suspension to start the 2023-24 season. Despite staying out of trouble last season, Morant’s reputation remains a topic of public discussion.
Balancing Family Loyalty with Tough Choices: LaVar’s Defense of His Sons
While LaVar gestured toward Morant’s unpredictability, he also proudly defended his son Lonzo Ball. He hailed Lonzo as “the world’s greatest point guard,” which was his reason for ranking him above Morant. When asked to compare Lonzo to New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson, LaVar attributed his choice purely to family ties, emphasizing his loyalty as a father.
The most challenging choice for LaVar came when he had to pick between his sons Lonzo and LaMelo Ball. After briefly noting the difficulty, he amusingly deflected with a lyric from the song Tweaker and surprisingly championed his third son, LiAngelo Ball, as the better player. This choice raised eyebrows, as LiAngelo is still striving for a breakthrough in the NBA, adding a layer of humor and ambiguity to LaVar’s responses.
“I might swerve, bend that corner, whoa”
Ongoing Impact of the Ja Morant Controversy and What Lies Ahead
LaVar Ball’s comments have once again stirred the longstanding questions around Ja Morant’s off-court incidents and their influence on his career and image. Morant’s athletic gifts continue to captivate fans, but his past behavior remains a cloud over his future in the league. Meanwhile, LaVar’s candid and sometimes provocative opinions highlight the complex intersections of family loyalty, sportsmanship, and public scrutiny in the NBA. As the 2024 NBA Draft approaches, discussions around young stars like Morant and Wembanyama will likely intensify, shaping expectations for the new season and beyond.