^This thread is getting way off topic. Arpaio has absolutely nothing to do with the original topic.
@dietz199 …thanks. I agree that if the parent condones the bad behavior, hopevseems dim.
“far outside any reasonable or rational scope of a government’s duty to its citizens abroad”
I agree that if there really was a summit conversation about this, it was an extraordinary departure from regular practice. If so, I don’t see the reason why our leaders should take such extreme measures on behalf of these citizens and not others. I could see it if they were arrested in the course of their duties serving our country, or even if they broke Chinese law as a matter of principle consistent with American values (such as by promoting freedom of speech or religion). Nuisance crimes by private citizens, not so much.
Reports say LiAngelo won’t return to UCLA after LaVar Ball pulls him from school amid suspension for shoplifting in China.
And now Lavar Ball is pulling LiAngelo out of UCLA. Apparently being punished by the school for violating it’s code of conduct (and basically creating an international incident) was too much for him and his son so he’ll pull him out to prepare him for the draft next year. As clearly stated it was never their intent to stay at UCLA more than one year. What is going to be more interesting is what happens to the youngest Ball who is a UCLA commit. Sources indicate UCLA is likely to not let that plan stand.
Perhaps the “LaVar Ball Rule” might have something to do with it?
As the continuing weirdness of the whole Lavar Ball “Empire” continues, I can’t help but feel sorry for the 3 Ball sons. They live in the shade of their father’s overwhelming presence and it is going to be impossible for them to continually live up to his bragging! Maybe he is going to try to “homeschool” LiAngelo in college.
I feel very sorry for the 3 boys. By all accounts the one that is in the NBA (Lonzo?) is a pretty quiet young man - not a braggart like his father. It must be so difficult - he’s Dad so you love him, but his behavior is dreadful.
My kids would have probably disowned me.
NBA only requires the players to wait until the draft held the spring after high school graduation to be eligible. LiAngelo will be eligible this spring whether he plays in college or not. However, word is he’s not good enough to go directly to the NBA. I suspect he’ll be playing in Europe this spring.
The father had pulled the youngest son out of high school so he’s not playing either (unless he’s playing AAU). There was a picture of the two boys watching their old high school friends play over the weekend. The oldest one isn’t doing well in the NBA.
Good job dad.
LiAngelo just doesn’t seem to get it. Firstly, he only started stealing stuff because heck, you always follow what others are doing. Secondly, it took him a while to realize that stealing stuff is a ‘serious error in judgement’ - probably at just about the moment after the police turned up.
@sorghum I’m actually starting to feel a little sorry for this kid. I’ve been on a kick that I never really heard these kids say that stealing is wrong, but instead what the did was stupid (which I hear as getting caught was stupid, or the consequences were so high that taking the risk was stupid). But when you hear what the dad said right after the kids got home, basically that stealing is no big deal, it’s no wonder that this kid stole. And now the dad is taking away the consequences of the kids actions and going to have him play in Europe instead (or at least try) for a year and then into the NBA. How sad. I hope this kid somehow learns basic moral concepts like stealing is wrong from someone else since he’s not going to learn it at home. It’s a shame, because when you learn it outside the home, the consequences are usually higher. And, I still worry that any future consequence would be interpreted as a result of risk misjudgment or people out to get him, rather than a true understanding of a basic rule of life, that stealing is wrong.
“People started taking stuff. Me just not thinking and being with them, I started taking stuff too.”
That sounds so scripted to say that the other adults started stealing first, and he just followed along. The other athletes didn’t get their story out there first that maybe Gelo was the first to steal. He still doesn’t get it that stealing is wrong.
His dad was on CNN yesterday, what an idiot. He was upset that his son was still being punished that’s why he pulled him. I feel sorry for all of his kids. He has done a number on them.
“You know how kids think” - just wow. A “kid” who realizes he is “a kid” is no longer a kid. Or is it daddy’s coaching?
I know 50 year olds who are kids because they are under daddy’s thumb. This kid is just doing whatever daddy tells him to do. For his own sake, I wish he would man up and accept the consequences of his actions.
I find it intensely depressing that this clown gets this level of attention. I just read up on him on Wikipedia, not having heard of him before the China incident.
I read that the entire clan has a deal to appear on a reality show, in the manner of the Kardashians. Next thing he’ll be running for president.
Is our society truly that debased? Surely the apocalypse is upon us.
He is one athlete who is not at school for the education at all, and made no pretense to even try to be a student. Since he can’t be an athlete, why go to school?
Let him play in Europe. He’ll make $1000/mo and won’t be living the life of a celebrity. I worked with a guy whose son played in Europe (after graduating from U Hawaii) and he sent his checkbook home every month for someone to balance it.
I think LaVar’s life is unraveling. Shoe company failing, sons not doing well in school or sports, I don’t think he’s getting sports interviews any more because he is so rude and no one cares.
Is there a mother in the picture? In all the press about this family, I’ve never seen any mention of the mother.
The mother had a severe stroke recently and was in the hospital for 2-3 months. She does have some permanent damage. On the plus side, her husband has been very supportive of her. I guess he has a least one positive quality.
The mother, Tina Ball, was present in China. She is recovering from a serious stroke earlier this year. https://nypost.com/2017/05/15/sad-story-behind-lavar-balls-wife-is-only-thing-that-will-quiet-him/
I feel bad for the sons and can’t imagine trying to grow up in the shadow of such a loud-mouth, huge personality father. If he had step back, they might have had a chance to play basketball more or even do some modeling etc since they are nice looking kids. They seem like stage set piece in the dad’s wild show. It can’t be easy.