LaVar Ball’s return to “Undisputed” with Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe on FS1 hit on more than a few familiar notes from the Big Baller Brand CEO. Among those rehashed was LaVar’s prediction that LeBron James would team up with Lonzo Ball and the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency this summer, as a means of securing his legacy as the NBA’s greatest player ahead of Michael Jordan. “For him to be considered better than Jordan, I think his narrative has to be, everywhere he’s went, he’s won,” the Ballfather explained. “But as far as winning six championships in the same place, you’re not gonna do it in Cleveland. Nobody cares now because he’s been to the Finals too many times. So I think to justify that he’s the best player in the world, he got to win a couple more championships somewhere else.” That story would certainly make LeBron unique in hoops history. Though there have been players who’ve won titles with three different franchises—including Lakers legend Robert Horry—no superstar has yet had that kind of traveling success. In LaVar’s mind, there’s more for LeBron in joining the Purple and Gold than just adding to his resume. That decision could also set up James to take his game to even another level with help from Zo. “You can’t give Lonzo the best player in the game and don’t expect him to win ‘cause he’s going to make LeBron better,” the Big Baller said, before pointing to the success that the likes of Julius Randle, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram had with Ball—and how quickly TJ Leaf and Ike Anigbogu, Zo’s former teammates at UCLA, fell off the map in the NBA. It’s tough to imagine LeBron being much better than he was this past season, when he carried the Cleveland Cavaliers back to the NBA Finals without Kyrie Irving. But there is an argument to be made that, with a playmaker like Lonzo setting him up, James wouldn’t have to do so much of the heavy lifting and, thus, could theoretically put even more into each minute he plays with a lighter overall load. As for whether LaVar’s presence would be a deterrent to LeBron wearing Purple and Gold, the Big Baller insisted that any past beef over him talking about James’ kids was merely a matter of misunderstanding. “If LeBron comes, I’ll make him understand that he got to calm down and don’t let the media fool him into messing with me,” LaVar said. In terms of the media, James is about as savvy as they come. Whatever his past disagreements with LaVar may have been, if those two see eye-to-eye in terms of what LeBron can accomplish in L.A. alongside Lonzo, the Lakers could find themselves back in the business of competing for championships in short order.<doc-sep>Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press LaVar Ball appeared on Big Boy's Neighborhood on Thursday and predicted that LeBron James will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers and join forces with his son, Lonzo Ball. Beginning at the 9:24 mark of the following video, LaVar discussed the possibility of LeBron jumping ship from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Lakers: When asked if he thinks James will sign in L.A., Ball said, "I don't feel like it, I know he is. I already told you to call him L.A. Bron." LaVar then said that James wouldn't be able to teach Lonzo anything if he joins the Lakers because the Ball family patriarch has already taught his son "everything." LaVar added that Lonzo "knows the game" and "knows how to play." Although LaVar doesn't think the NBA's best player can teach his son anything, he does believe Lonzo can make King James better. "Whoever's on the team, he's going to make them better," LaVar said. Video Play Button Videos you might like He then said Lonzo deserved credit for Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle all having career years in 2017-18. After the Lakers selected Ball with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, he had an up-and-down rookie season. He averaged 10.2 points on 36.0 percent shooting, 7.2 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game in his 52 appearances. By comparison, James put up 27.5 points, 9.1 assists and 8.6 rebounds per game this past season. He also led the Cavs to the NBA Finals for the fourth consecutive year. All told, LeBron has appeared in each of the past eight Finals. In March, Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer listed the Lakers, Cavaliers, Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers as teams James would entertain signing with this offseason. James already has a home in L.A., and signing with the Lakers would allow him to play with a host of up-and-coming players, including Ball, Kuzma, Ingram and potentially Randle if the latter re-signs as a restricted free agent. The Lakers haven't reached the playoffs since 2012-13, though, and there may be more ready-made situations available to LeBron in terms of contending for championships immediately.<doc-sep>On Monday, Gary Payton did his part to fuel LeBron James-to-Lakers rumors. On Tuesday, it was LaVar Ball’s turn. The outlandish father of Lonzo Ball joined FS1’s Undisputed to discuss his sons and, of course, LeBron’s impending free agency. LaVar is certain that LeBron will join Lonzo in Los Angeles. "I know it's going to happen. I told you to call him LA 'Bron. For LeBron to be considered better than Jordan … to justify that he's the best player in the world ever, he's got to win a couple more championships somewhere else." — @Lavarbigballer pic.twitter.com/bbn6vE14pq — UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) June 12, 2018 He said: “I don’t think it’ll happen. I know it’s gonna happen. I told you to call him LA’Bron. I told you to call him LA’Bron. For him to be considered better than Jordan, his narrative has to be everywhere he’s went, he’s won … To justify that he’s the best player in the world ever, he’s got to win a couple more championships somewhere else.” LaVar continued to say that Lonzo would make LeBron better. "You can't give Lonzo the best player in the game and don't expect them to win because he's going to make LeBron better." — @Lavarbigballer pic.twitter.com/UQS20IIaR5 — UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) June 12, 2018 He would also dismiss the possibility of the Lakers trading Lonzo to pursue star players this offseason.<doc-sep>Stop me if you heard this one before: LaVar Ball is out here talking reckless. It's not that they father of the Ball family is wild in claiming that LeBron James, AKA "LA Bron" as LaVar has dubbed him, will join the Lakers in free agency this offseason. It is a widely held belief that if James leaves the Cleveland Cavaliers the Lakers are likely his top destination. Odds makers have the Lakers pegged as the team most likely to sign James this summer. The ridiculous part of this most recent LaVar proclamation is that 14-time All-Star, four-time MVP and three-time Finals MVP LeBron James can't teach All-Rookie second-teamer Lonzo Ball "nothing" if they were to play together. "Can LeBron teach him what?" LaVar questioned during an appearance on Big Boy's Neighborhood. "No he can't teach him nothing. I already taught him everything." LaVar also mentioned that James will become better playing next to Lonzo, citing the seasons Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle had as examples of Lonzo's ability to improve his teammates' play. LaVar also said Lonzo's former UCLA teammates have been worse since they no longer play with the eldest Ball child. The LeBron talks starts around the 9:20 mark in the video above, and from there, it breaks into a conversation about the last time LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball played their father in one-on-one.<doc-sep>
LaVar Ball said he “knows” Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. Known for having spoken things into existence with the Los Angeles Lakers drafting his son, Lonzo Ball, the always confident LaVar Ball is attempting to do so again. This time, LaVar Ball’s forecast revolves around Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James. Asked Tuesday on FS1’s Undisputed if he thinks James will sign with the Lakers this summer, Ball responded in classic Ball fashion. “I don’t think it’s going to happen,” he said. “I know it’s going to happen.” "I know it's going to happen. I told you to call him LA 'Bron. For LeBron to be considered better than Jordan … to justify that he's the best player in the world ever, he's got to win a couple more championships somewhere else." — @Lavarbigballer pic.twitter.com/bbn6vE14pq — UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) June 12, 2018 James’ name will create headlines daily over these next few weeks. Free agency begins July 1, and Los Angeles — with its cap space, big city appeal and youthful talent — will likely be a suitor. “I told you to call him LA ‘Bron,” LaVar Ball said. “For him to justify he’s the best player in the world ever, he’s got to win a couple more championships somewhere else.” LaVar Ball believes James would succeed in Los Angeles for many reasons — one of them being his son. “That’s what Lonzo does,” LaVar Ball said. “He makes everybody better.” "You can't give Lonzo the best player in the game and don't expect them to win because he's going to make LeBron better." — @Lavarbigballer pic.twitter.com/UQS20IIaR5 — UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) June 12, 2018 Time will tell whether LaVar Ball has spoken this possibility into existence. Until then, he’ll continue speaking about his second son, LiAngelo Ball, and LiAngelo’s chances of being drafted (which are slim to none). “LiAngelo is the best two guard in the draft,” he said Tuesday.