Lavar Ball, genius or insane?

[Wanderoos24]

Genius or insane? How many of you would spend $495 for a pair of shoes that are being endorsed by a kid that hasn't logged an NBA minute? What's the most expensive pair of shoes you have purchased? Personally I have spent around $100 multiple times for athletic shoes for my kids and self. I couldn't imagine ever spending close to $500 for a pair of shoes. I guess I would rather spend that money on sending my kids to camps to make them better athletes! Thoughts?

[RobDeer 45]

If he can actually execute supplying these shoes on time for the orders, he could be a genius. But, the big thing is, the kid has to be a star. I think he has the style of play that will excite young kids. That's 90% of the battle. Nobody will want his shoes if he's average. I think it would also become a status symbol for young players. "Wow, he has the BBBs!" I think this could work, but there are a lot of ifs.

[GAME05]

The thought that Lavar Ball is crazy is a good bit overblown by the media. He's just seeing a big financial opportunity with the shoe deal, plus the situation is somewhat unique with two more probable-NBA players on the way. I don't blame him for trying to get as much money as he can, but I'd guess everything to do with it is just way over his head.

 

If dress shoes can be counted in with cost, then maybe $180 for a pair, though I don't think I've ever spent more than $60 for a pair of athletic shoes. I'm about as far as one can be from understanding urban youth culture, but maybe there's a value to having fancy and expensive shoes, so I guess I could see a few people buying them, not that $500 couldn't go to something more useful. Aren't Air Jordans about $200?

[trwi7]

He's both and ESPN is already making him the next Tebow, Lin and Manziel which is incredibly annoying.

[pacopete4]

He's both and ESPN is already making him the next Tebow, Lin and Manziel which is incredibly annoying.

 

It's funny to me that ESPN has to fire a lot of their people, they see their mistakes, yet continue to spew this crap to their audience. Cover sports. Is is that hard of a concept for them to follow?

[rwa12]

I think he'll wind up costing his kids at some point. He's an opportunist, who is seizing his opportunity, so good for him I guess.

 

The shoes are as ugly as Lonzo's jumpshot.

 

I refuse to pay over $80 for athletic shoes, but I do have a pair of $500 dress shoes. I'll keep my Ferragamos over some Lonzo's.

[jerichoholicninja]

Who is this guy and why do I see his name pop up in the news every other week?

[JimH5]

I think he is a genius. But all of that hands on stuff is going to blow up sooner or later. The kid is going to push back, and if he does it publicly, then the drama will really get out of control.

 

I think the shoes are ridiculous. But I've bought lots of ridiculous things, so if he can sell them, then so be it.

 

What I don't like is the media deciding that he's important enough to report on. He's just the latest in a string of sports dads who over-involve themselves in their kid's career.

[CheezWizHed]

I paid $100 for a pair of Nikes a little after the Jordons market blew up shoes to that range. Back then $100 for shoes was as ridiculous as $500 today.

[pacopete4]

I find shoes for $35-$40 that do the job. They all wear out the same.

[pacopete4]

I find shoes for $35-$40 that do the job. They all wear out the same.

[superfly]

I hate this POS. At least Tebow didn't ask for attention, the media created it.

[GAME05]

I commend him for trying to eliminate the middle-man, but I don't see where he has the business savvy to be able to pull it off.

 

All I keep thinking is this Ball kid turns out to be an NBA bust and this whole thing turns to pot, and then the Ball kid ends up losing $10-whatever-million because he doesn't have a typical shoe deal in place. Although I just saw what the shoes look like and they're pretty cool. I'd totally pay $60 for them. Granted, $500 is pretty insane for shoes, but I also don't want to fall into the trap of thinking that because I don't value it that it's ridiculous that anybody else would.

[stoutdude04]

The thing is...you have to preorder the shoes. He's basically taking people's money and then making the shoes. He isn't even making them on his own dime. I imagine he is going to see how challenging it truly is to make these products, or maybe he already has and that is why he is charging a mortgage payment per pair.

[Wanderoos24]

Completely agree! He's only going to make things worse for hid kids. People already are hating the way he carries himself and his arrogance. No way that can be a positive for his kids. I am a high school head basketball coach and there is no way I would want to deal with that man as a parent. I feel for Steve Alford and his kids high school coach.

[paul253]

Lavar clearly craves attention. That's why he says the stupid things he says. But, whatever. If he's willing to use his kids to make money and his kids are willing to be used then so be it. I happen to think some things are more important than money but everyone is free to feel however they want.

[lcbj68c]

Never heard of her.

[hurricanecrush]

He's a genius, do you know how much he'd have to pay for this much advertising? The media needs to drop it though, his 15 minutes are up.

[FVBrewerFan]

I thought topic was "LAVA Ball genius or insane"

 

Figured I didn't need to even read any posts to know a Lava Ball is genius, insane, and awesome!

[reillymcshane]

To me the idea of owning and controlling your own brand is pretty cool - in theory.

 

If Lonzo Ball comes in to the NBA and is an all-star in the couple of years - then he could do really well, as one of the big brands would eventually want to get him into their stable, and thus give him the farm.

 

But the problem is that your brand has to actually have meat behind all the hype. If Lonzo is good - but not great - that's a problem. No one saves up to get a pair of Greg Monroe shoes. It's just not that exciting.

 

But there's so much more going against Lonzo Ball:

 

- The expensive shoes will sell to a small set of clientele. They might make a lot of money per shoe - but their appeal is likely limited by the price. Mom and Dad aren't going to buy a $500 pair of shoes for their kids. $100? Sure. But not many will go to $500 when there are so many alternatives for a lot cheaper. There are always people who will pay whatever for something simply because they have the money. But the price is setting up the merchandise in an area that only a limited number of people can afford. That can be good - or bad. I'd say bad in this case, because athletes want followers and adopters of their brand.

 

- Ball ain't no Michael Jordan. To think he's going to be is nuts. A guy like Jordan only comes along every generation. To think he can garner that kind of fanatic loyalty is foolish.

 

- Speaking of Lonzo - spinning him as a Jordan or whomever is a stretch. He's not a good looking guy with a million dollar smile like Jordan had. He doesn't have Harden's crazy beard look. He's just not that interesting.

 

- Trying to sell your own merchandise is really, really hard. He's taking orders - and delivering stuff six months from now. The people buying now are posers. The shoes might suck. They might be uncomfortable. They might fall apart. No one knows at this point. And going forward, their availability could be just as difficult. One of the reasons you go with an Adidas or Nike or whomever is they've got the who production AND sales channel all set up. Doing it yourself is a lot of work.

 

- In the end - it's a shoe. It's not like you can make something that is so revolutionary that it changes the industry. Is Lonzo's shoe that different than Durant's shoe? Or Kobe's shoe? Or whomever? No. They are shoes.

 

- Lavar Ball needs to shut up and make the merchandise about his kid - not himself. He's only alienating people with his blowhard persona - and overshadowing the person that really needs to step up - Lonzo.

 

 

In the end, I'll guess the guy is foolish - maybe even naive - more than insane. Sure, he's using his antics to create some buzz about his brand. But you still have to deliver. Just look to the recent Frye Festival debacle. Millions of dollars in sales delivered crap - and a bunch of lawsuits.

 

We shall see how it all plays out. As I said, it's really Lonzo who needs to step to make it work. If not, 'Baller' brand will simply die.

[Harry Doyles JD]

I think Lavar should spend less time hyping and more time helping his son fix his broke-azz jumper.

[rwa12]

I would argue that the difference between a BBB shoe, and Nike...is the billions of dollars of R&D that the major companies spend to put out better shoes. These are fashion shoes, like the Kanyes. You are buying them to say you have them, not for any practical purpose. He was smart to pre-order, and not get left with stock. At the low rate they are selling, his profit isn't going to be huge. I bet it'll cost him $200-250 per pair to have them made. He's certainly good at getting attention, but as was mentioned above, I don't think Ball is going to be transcendent. I think he'll be very good, but he's got to be at the Westbrook/Harden level, quickly, to be able to sell his brand. I've actually heard he's a decent rapper, maybe he'll be a Renaissance Man, and the brand will be successful.

[jerichoholicninja]

No one's really answered my question about who this guy actually is. I gather he's the father of a college basketball player who could be really good in the NBA and he's trying to make money off of him before that even happens. Sounds like he's taking advantage of our reality TV society where people become rich and famous for being loud, obnoxious, crazy, horrible people. Sounds like a genius to me.

[reillymcshane]

No one's really answered my question about who this guy actually is. I gather he's the father of a college basketball player who could be really good in the NBA and he's trying to make money off of him before that even happens. Sounds like he's taking advantage of our reality TV society where people become rich and famous for being loud, obnoxious, crazy, horrible people. Sounds like a genius to me.

Yep, pretty much nailed it.

[NeedMoreFans]

No one's really answered my question about who this guy actually is. I gather he's the father of a college basketball player who could be really good in the NBA and he's trying to make money off of him before that even happens. Sounds like he's taking advantage of our reality TV society where people become rich and famous for being loud, obnoxious, crazy, horrible people. Sounds like a genius to me.

 

With two younger sons that have the potential to be very good college players, if not NBA players as well.