Charles Barkley continues to be the hero we all need when it comes to talking truth. The Basketball Hall of Famer has never minced words and has always spoken his mind on, well, pretty much everything, so it’s a nice change from the PC bullsh*t that we often get — especially from people who are on TV or in a public forum.
With the whole demise of the Big Baller Brand currently happening — which was started by Lavar Ball for his sons Lonzo Ball, LiAngelo Ball and LaMelo Ball to compete with the big athletic brands — Charles Barkley gave his two cents on why the company was doomed from the beginning: Lavar Ball.
Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up this morning, Charles Barkley went in on Lavar Ball, making him the culprit for Big Baller Brand failing, while also applauding Lonzo for taking control of his life a little bit; since his dad had always been the spokesperson for the entire family. Here’s what Sir Charles had to say, per FTW.USAToday.
“[Lonzo] should have been his own man from the beginning. You can’t let your family members try to piggyback on your success. This is his time. He’s a nice kid, he’s a good player. I’d like to see him healthy. But this thing has been a disaster from Day 1.
It was never going to work, and I feel bad, because this ol’ big mouth, jackass dad has put his kid in an awkward situation all year. Like I said, I don’t want to see anything bad happen to the kid, but I don’t like his dad at all, and this thing has been a joke from the beginning.”
Charles Barkley’s words echo those of Lonzo Ball’s teammate, LeBron James, who said he was proud of his young point guard for “becoming a man” by taking control of his business decisions. Remember, LeBron and Lonzo’s dad, Lavar, have a history, so it may have been a parting shot at the eldest Ball of them all.
Although no one knows for sure the fate of Big Baller Brand, the fact that Lonzo Ball has already covered up his BBB tattoo following the accusation that one of the company’s co-founders, Alan Foster, reportedly took $1.5 million from Lonzo, as well as the fact that Lonzo posted an Instagram message hinting at joining Nike, things don’t look good.