Head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers gestures on the sideline in the first half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Oct. 28, 2016, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images/AFP
Outspoken stage father LaVar Ball has often been critical of the Los Angeles Lakers—particularly with head coach Luke Walton—for supposedly mismanaging Lonzo Ball’s minutes on the court.
Just weeks prior to his harsh comments to the player-turned-bench boss, the elder Ball also claimed that Walton did not know how to coach his prized point guard.
Walton recently addressed Ball’s criticism and aired his side to Orange County Register’s Bill Oram.
“We don’t take parents’ opinions into our coaching decisions and how we’re trying to grow as a group,” he said. “The relationship with Lonzo means a lot to me, so I stay in constant contact with him and how he’s doing.
But as far as other people’s thoughts on what we should do, I don’t concern myself with those.”
Walton also explained that he only focused on helping the promising playmaker on unlocking his true potential and did not want to undermine the pair’s father-son relationship.
“They have their own relationship,” Walton said. “Lonzo does a great job of doing what we ask him to do. I don’t know what they talk about in private, but Lonzo’s an incredible team player. He’s here to make our team better. He’s always been on board with what we try to do.” Khristian Ibarrola /ra