Despite social backlash, LaVar Ball is the dad we’ve been told doesn’t exist
There are plenty of myths, untruths, stereotypes and propaganda about the Black experience. Few are as detrimental as the notion that Black men abandon their children and make for poor father figures. Fatherhood is often viewed as a crux in masculinity as just one of our past presidents was voted into the White House as a bachelor.
With the NCAA men’s basketball national tourney gearing up over the next month, UCLA’s Lonzo Ball has been atop the sports chatter in the country. The 6-foot-6, 19-year-old point guard is projected to be a top-10 pick in this year’s NBA Draft. As much as the eldest Ball boy has propelled the UCLA platform, he’s done just as much for his father’s limelight.
Since Lonzo first donned a Bruins jersey, LaVar Ball has been making quite the circuit with appearances on TV news stations, ESPN, and social media is trending right now with #LaVarBallsays. Sure, he’s made claims that he’d beat the great Michael Jordan (in their primes) at hoops, trolled Charles Barkley for calling him out on said claims, proclaimed that Lonzo is better than 2-time MVP Steph Curry, but LaVar is the type of dad you never knew you’d want.
LaVar’s Twitter bio reads: “Father of Lonzo, LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball the best ball players ever.”
Throughout each of his sons’ lives, he’s been there to see their development through and guide them along their athletic journey. Like any parent, he isn’t always right about his kids but he is there — everyday — helping them progress. There are some parents that won’t sit down with their kids to do homework, LaVar was practicing daily with his boys to show them the commitment it takes to succeed at a high level in the sport of basketball.
As a man, nothing carries as much as your word. When LaVar says his son is better than Chef Steph, it is a testament to his belief in the type of growth Lonzo has made. If you were his son, how could you not feel pride from your dad having the confidence to put his word on the line? You wouldn’t if you didn’t feel that it was true. But in Lonzo’s case, he feels just as passionate about his abilities as his father, which is only natural for a competitor in the business of sport.
There’s no question LaVar has put an unenviable amount on each of his sons to perform but it comes from a good place and great intentions. LaVar wants his sons to excel at the highest of their peaks and break new boundaries. I would say most parents feel that way, but after seeing their children experiment and fail at things, many adjust their expectations and accept their progeny’s limitations. LaVar sees no limits for the Ball boys.
It’s hard to tell how likely LaVar’s request for a billion dollar shoe contract is at this point, but it’s important that he’s setting the bar that high for them. Why be the next LeBron James, when you can be better? Why reach for Jordan’s six rings, when you can notch 12 and top Bill Russell? Before Barack Obama’s presidency, the glass ceiling for a Black boy was rap mogul or NBA legend.
When the national narrative is that Black men can’t or won’t raise their children, why are we bashing a man proud of the kids he’s raised? We see helicopter parents in nearly every field of sports, why are we so tired when LaVar starts gassing his boys? For once, let’s celebrate Black fatherhood and the beautiful relationship he has with his sons.
Just keep the hyperbole and grandstanding to a minimum, Mr. Ball.
