Valley of the Suns
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Lonzo Ball is trying to win you over. Will it help?

By Adam Maynes

Mar 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Lavar Ball embraces his son UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) after the game against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Lavar Ball embraces his son UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) after the game against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Whether the sole intention was to be funny on the part of Foot Locker, or the Ball family approached Foot Locker with this idea to soften their image, this commercial is undeniably funny.

Although the Los Angeles Lakers have been tabbed as the presumptive destination for Lonzo Ball on the June 22, NBA Draft, recent rumors have re-introduced the pre-lottery discussion of whether or not the Phoenix Suns should draft Ball if he is available when they pick. Seemingly the Valley of the Suns is split 50/50 on the idea, although one thing is clear: his father scares fans more than his game.

LaVar Ball is an outspoken individual who has made more outlandish comments than a politician during a campaign. And yet, isn’t that exactly what LaVar is doing? He is campaigning for Lonzo’s career and the Ball family industry. The problem is, LaVar’s comments have often come at the detriment of Lonzo as NBA fans have turned against him (and his younger brothers) simply because they are directly associated with the Ball family patriarch.

But Lonzo hasn’t really said anything, has he? Outside of a single ESPN interview where he said he would prefer to be drafted by the Lakers (his hometown team) than be drafted number one, he’s not the one who said he could beat Michael Jordan in his prime, or that he was better than Steph Curry. Anything  that LaVar has said, and that was re-hashed in this funny commercial.

Lonzo is unfortunately tied directly to these comments and thus many fans have been turned off. Had LaVar never said a word, wouldn’t Lonzo’s public persona as a quiet – if not cocky – college kid with the skill and potential to be the next Jason Kidd (or Magic Johnson) not cause fans in all markets to salivate at the prospect of he being their franchise point guard for the foreseeable future?

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This commercial doesn’t erase what LaVar has said in the past, and it won’t soften the blow of what LaVar will say in the future. And it certainly doesn’t mean that Lonzo will be a great point guard at the next level, or even that he’ll live up to half  of the expectations that his father has heaped on him. It is what it is: a funny commercial in honor of fathers everywhere, written by a very intelligent public relations team, and played out well by not only several potential stars in the NBA, but most especially by Lonzo Ball.

The question is, will it help you accept Lonzo if the Suns have the opportunity to draft him?

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