LaVar Ball is surely not one to hold back his thoughts when he doesn’t agree with a head coach’s handling of his sons. However, he’s a lot less vocal when the coaches get it right. As Lonzo Ball has broken out with the Pelicans this season, LaVar has remained quiet on Alvin Gentry’s impact on his oldest son.
In Gentry’s system, Ball has flourished at pushing the pace, getting the ball to teammates and leading the Pelicans offense. As the season has progressed, Ball has only gotten better, culminating in two of the best games of his career prior to the league’s suspension.
On his appearance on Pardon My Take, Ball talked about Gentry’s impact on Ball and how that has been the biggest difference in his game over the last season.
“If you look at the constant which is people like to say ‘Lonzo’s not under the bright lights no more. He’s away from his dad. He’s doing much better.’ No, he has a coach that believes in him. You’re always under the bright lights. You’re a professional. If you scared of playing in front of bright lights, you can’t play anyway.
So the only thing that’s changed and why Lonzo’s doing so good now…is coaching. Because he’s still under bright lights and I’m still his father. The only thing that’s changed is the coach.”
Ball and Gentry are a perfect point guard-head coach combo and it’s no surprise they’re flourishing together. On the season, Ball is averaging a career-high in points at 12.4 per game while shooting a career-best from three-point range at 38.3%.
More importantly, Ball is playing with confidence and freedom that he hasn’t often displayed while in the league and certainly not for as extended a stretch as he has this season. It’s likely not a coincidence that it comes under Gentry and with the Pelicans.
