Gary Payton is as old school as they come. The 49-year-old nine time All-Star retired after 18 seasons in the NBA more than a decade ago.
Having played with the likes of Karl Malone and Kobe Bryant throughout his career, he also knows what real leadership is about.
According to Payton, that doesn’t include any of the Ball brothers. When asked whether the Lakers should draft Lonzo Ball’s younger brother, LiAngelo, this coming summer, Payton didn’t mince words.
“I don’t believe in that,” Payton told TMZ Sports. “I don’t think teams are ignorant like that … what the Lakers need is a big-time star, a leader.”
Based on his SNIPdaily NBA Top 100 ranking, Lonzo might have the popularity and star power. But no objective person will mistake him for a leader. At 19, LiAngelo hasn’t even proven he can cut it in the pros.
Now that LiAngelo has decided to declare for the 2018 NBA Draft, it’s not a surprise many are linking him to his brother’s team. But given the contentious relationship between father, LaVar, and the Lakers, it would make no sense for the Lakers to take on another Ball.
There’s already enough Balls to go around. Very punny, indeed.
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