NBA

LaVar Ball: 'I don’t need no advice from Kobe Bryant'

Scott Gleeson
USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) reacts during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center.

LaVar Ball has a preordained message for Kobe Bryant: Mentoring his NBA-bound son, Lonzo, is unnecessary.

Never mind the fact that the five-time champion has mentored NBA stars Isaiah Thomas, Russell Westbrook and James Harden, to name a few.

“I don’t need no advice from Kobe Bryant.”

That’s the latest soundbite from basketball’s most polarizing father figure, adding to the long list of quotable statements that most recently included saying Michael Jordan is “not Lonzo Ball” when it came to selling his eye-popping $495 sneakers.

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“I don’t need advice from Kobe Bryant. ‘Zo’s got to play his game,” LaVar said on ESPN Radio 710 LA.

"If they're at practice and he sees something, and Lonzo listens to him or whatever, he's good. ... But it's just not, 'OK, I'm talking to Kobe, so now I'm going to be good.' If Kobe sees something that 'Zo is doing, then go from there. But I'm not trying to pattern after nobody."

Both LaVar and Lonzo have expressed interest in being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bryant, who retired last season after an illustrious NBA career — all in Los Angeles — has said he’s an “open book” to Lakers and NBA players.

Follow Scott Gleeson on Twitter @ScottMGleeson

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