While neither LaMelo nor Lonzo has won an NBA championship, both are well-regarded players, ensuring LaVar’s presence in NBA circles. Despite never playing in the league himself, LaVar has remained a recognizable figure, frequently attending games and making appearances at introductory press conferences.

As his sons made headlines with their performances, LaVar consistently made waves in the media. In 2020, he joined Club Shay Shay with Shannon Sharpe to weigh in on the never-ending GOAT debate, sharing his thoughts on the greatest player in NBA history.

“First of all, we can never determine who’s the GOAT—there’s no formula for it, which is why we keep debating it,” LaVar Ball said. “But I think it depends on who you grew up watching. You also measure the GOAT debate by victories. When you have losses on your record, you can’t be the GOAT. So, it’s always going to be Michael Jordan, until my boys surpass that, which is going to happen.“

Sharpe challenges LaVar Ball’s take on the GOAT debate

After LaMelo Ball’s father shared his thoughts on the greatest of all time (GOAT) debate, Sharpe wasted no time in responding. He countered LaVar’s argument with a key point about Jordan’s career and his path to NBA success. “You can’t say it’s all about the Finals. Jordan played in other seasons where he didn’t make it to the Finals, what about those?” Sharpe fired back at LaVar.

LaVar, however, remained firm in his stance, emphasizing championships as the ultimate measure of greatness. “Like I said, if you don’t get to the Finals, you’re off the hook,” he told Sharpe, making it clear that he still ranked LeBron James below Jordan in the debate.

The time LaVar Ball claimed he could beat Jordan one-on-one

Ball is no stranger to bold statements, especially when it comes to basketball. While he’s often spoken with confidence about his sons’ NBA potential, he has also made headlines for his own audacious claims, despite never playing in the league.

One of his most memorable takes came when he was asked whether he could beat Jordan in a one-on-one matchup. Without hesitation, LaVar doubled down with unwavering confidence.

“There’s no way he can beat me one-on-one. I was 6-foot-6, 270 [pounds], and benching 500 pounds. One-on-one? You’re going to need some help… I don’t care if you’re George Washington or Jesus, you can’t beat me one-on-one,” Ball said during a 2021 interview on 95.7 The Game.

What we could be sure of is that it’s unusual to hear someone downplaying what MJ has accomplished during his legendary career. However, it looks likeLaVar Ball had no problem in doing that to praise his son LaMelo.

LaVar is known for being proud of his kids, but this time he took it to the next level.LaMelo Ball is clearly one of the most interesting prospects in the league and his father believes he’s talented enough to not need advice from the Chicago Bulls icon.

LaVar Ball downplays adviceMichael Jordan could give to LaMelo

“How often does he seek out advice from Michael Jordan? Never!” LaVarBall said, as quoted by AhnFire Digital. “What advice he gonna give him? You tell me what advice he gonna give him.

“When the last time he won a championship? And the game has changed. What’s he gonna tell him?” LaVar continued. Well, this wouldn’t be the first time one of his comments makesnoise. But his take on such a respected player is still surprising.

LaMelo is having a great season with the Charlotte Hornets regardless. In his second year in the league, the 2020 first-round pick is averaging 20 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game.

The Ball patriarch has had his fair share of dubious remarks throughout the years. His overstatements about his sons made a lot of people doubt their talents, although they’ve done a great job of shutting down those narratives.

But LaVar’s delusional comments aren’t going anywhere, it’s just that people aren’t paying him attention anymore. Gladly for tabloids and those who enjoy a good laugh, 95.7 The GAME called him in to do an interview and we got to hear about him again.

LaVar Ball Is Still Convinced He Could Beat Michael Jordan 1-on-1

This time, LaVar addressed his infamous comments on him being able to beat both LeBron James and Michael Jordan in a 1-on-1 game. Unsurprisingly, he still thinks he could pull it off with ease:

“There’s no way he can beat me one-on-one. I was 6-foot-6, 270 [pounds] and benching 500 pounds. One-on-one? You’re going to need some help… I don’t care if you’re George Washington or Jesus, you can’t beat me one-on-one,” the Ball patriarch said.

That’s something I’d pay to watch, for sure. The funniest part about LaVar’s remarks is the fact that he averaged a whopping 2.2 points per game during his tenure at Washington State University before his failed attempt to become an NFL player.

Some will call him crazy, some will say he’s a marketing genius. Maybe he’s something in-between. The truth is that he’d do anything for his sons and that having two of them in the best basketball league in the world means he may have done something right.

That’s why he’s in a bit of an uncomfortable position right now. He’s injury-prone and not much of a scorer so teams will be wary of overpaying for him, yet he’s too good not to take a risk on him going forward.

Whatever the case it is, his father LaVar Ball just wants to see him get traded away from the New Orleans Pelicans, as he believes that they’re ‘changing the way he plays the game’ and he just can’t stay there anymore.

LaVar Ball Says Lonzo Can’t Stay New Orleans, Demands A Trade

“No! No, he can’t stay in New Orleans. Come on, man. Come on, listen … Lonzo’s always been a playmaker. Why are you trying to change him into a defensive specialist that stays in the corner and shoots 3s? And you’re trying to change Zion and Brandon Ingram who all through their careers have never been playmakers. They’re scorers! Now you want to put the ball in their hands and be playmakers? Go score the ball and do what you do and guess what? They’re gonna have a hard time trying to win every game if the playmaker ain’t making the right plays,” LaVar said on ESPN LA 710.

The Ball patriarch added that he doesn’t know whether he’ll be traded or not but urged the team to do it because he simply doesn’t like the way his son is playing under Van Gundy’s system:

“Oh, I don’t know what they’re gonna do. I don’t know what they’re gonna do. I hope he be traded though. Here’s the thing: I don’t like watching him play like he plays [right now],” he concluded.

The New York Knicks Want Lonzo Ball

Lonzo and the Pelicans couldn’t reach an agreement on a contract extension and he’ll be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, and according to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the New York Knicks are doing their due diligence on him:

“The Knicks are looking to make a move at the March 25 NBA trade deadline for an upgrade — preferably for backcourt help. Though Rockets combo guard Victor Oladipo is available, Pelicans pass-first point guard Lonzo Ball is higher on Leon Rose’s list (…) The Post has learned the Knicks, with plenty of cap room, would be heavily on Ball’s radar as a restricted free agent,” Berman said.

Lonzo has repeatedly stated his desire to play with the Pelicans’ young core but whether the Pelicans view him as a building block going forward or not is yet to be seen. The Knicks are inclear need of a playmaker and he’d get a chance to prove his worth at the Madison Square Garden.