Lonzo, Lakers and the Story is . . . the Shoes

Today was the big day for UCLA/Laker fans. Lonzo Ball worked out for the Lakers. And like too many things in Lonzo’s post-UCLA career, the biggest story was not Lonzo’s play. This time, it was not LaVar, at least not directly, but the shoes:

When projected top-three overall draft pick Lonzo Ball walked off the floor after a private workout for the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, there was a notable absence in his attire: his $495 Big Baller Brand signature ZO2 sneaker.

The ZO2 is not yet in mass production and is therefore unavailable until its Nov. 24 ship date, so Ball instead wore a pair of Adidas Harden Vol. 1 shoes, which he frequently wore while starring as a freshman at UCLA.

USA Today and others took this angle since most of the workout was closed:

While much of the workout was closed to the media, we did get an opportunity to see some photos from the session. And well, Ball’s feet certainly stood out. He wasn’t wearing his own signature sneaker.

Sigh. I am old school. I don’t get the shoe crap.

The bigger news to me is the kid might be living the dream.

After an individual workout in front of Lakers brass -- which included Magic Johnson, the player he patterned his game after -- point guard Lonzo Ball reiterated his desire on Wednesday to play for his hometown team.

"Of course," Ball answered during an eight-minute media session that followed the workout. "It's home."

On his Dad, Lonzo continues to deny he is an issue. To his credit, Lonzo seems to have a very different personality:

Unlike his father, Ball is brief with his words. He answered in excess of 50 questions during the eight-minute media session, most with a single sentence.

Appropriately, TMZ (!!) is covering Lonzo on LaVar Ball

Ball attended a private workout for the Lakers Wednesday -- the only pre-draft workout he agreed to do -- and was asked if he thought LaVar's antics could negatively affect him.

"They said that about me in high school, said that about me in college. I don't think it'll affect me," Zo said when asked about his dad.

"Everybody has an opinion. I know who I am. People who know me know who I am. That's all that matters."

Of course, Magic in the past said LaVar was like Kris Jenner and that’s a good thing?!??!

"The Kardashians, we didn't say the mom was bad. She made them a lot of money, right? She bragged on her daughters. And I think it's the same here. He's saying, 'hey, my son is great.'"

"There's nothing bad with that. We're not looking at LaVar being a problem if we're blessed to have an opportunity to draft Lonzo."

Sigh. I am old, but a Kardashian comparison should never be a good thing, right? (Maybe if you are making money for no talent, but Lonzo has talent.)

So Laker fans, are you happy with Lonzo going to the Lakers? Despite what some rumors are saying that seems very likely.