Lonzo Ball shoe deals turned down by Nike, Adidas, Under Armour

Nike, Adidas, and Under Armor all decided to avoid shoe deals for Lonzo Ball. Is his father, LaVar, to blame?

LaVar Ball, who wanted a one billion dollar shoe deal for all of his sons, got a rude awakening, as the “big” brands of Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour did not offer a deal to former UCLA guard and future 2017 NBA Draft lottery pick Lonzo Ball.

If you’ve ever been to a bad high school basketball game, LaVar Ball is what happens when every parent screaming from the stands, at other players, and at coaches finally has a kid who makes it big. The focus falters from the player, and it could really harm Lonzo’s brand as a future NBA player – as it is now.

Look, I feel bad for Lonzo. He is an amazing basketball player who is going to do great things in the NBA and is being overshadowed by his obnoxious dad. At first, LaVar’s antics were almost cute. How often do we get someone who is that loud and supportive of their child’s dream who also gets an actual platform from which to speak?

But when you start calling out coaches and teammates, the novelty of it wears off quickly. It doesn’t matter who you blame or why. UCLA was ranked No. 144 in defensive efficiency last season, and Lonzo’s defense was part of that.

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While the lack of a shoe deal now seems like a huge snub, there is plenty of time for Lonzo to take things into his own hands and earn one – something that I think that he will definitely do. Ball will be a star in the NBA no matter where he goes, and no matter what his father says or does.