NBA on TNT returns fire after LaVar Ball’s comments on Charles Barkley

After some back and forth criticism between LaVar Ball and NBA on TNT analyst Charles Barkley, TNT decided it was time to show Ball how the two would actually match up.

First, UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball’s father, LaVar Ball, made his case that if he and Michael Jordan ever competed one-on-one that LaVar would run the floor with arguably the greatest basketball player of all time.

“Back in my heyday, I would kill Michael Jordan one-on-one,” Ball told USA Today Sports. “I would just back him in and lift him off the ground and call a foul every time he fouls me when I do a jump hook to the right or the left. He cannot stop me one-on-one. He better make every shot ’cause he can’t go around me. He’s not fast enough. And he can only make so many shots outside before I make every bucket under the rim.”

Tough words for a man who averaged just 2.2 points per game in 1987-88, while Jordan was averaging 35 points with the Chicago Bulls. Seems a little far-fetched that a man who recorded only one season of college basketball playing time would believe he would beat a player many thinks would still compete with some of the best in the NBA.

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Since, some athletes around the world of sports have fired back at Ball, making a laughing stock out of the potential top-three 2017 NBA Draft pick’s dad. Starting with Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, who exposed Ball’s 2.2 points per contest average and most recently including TNT’s NBA analyst, Charles Barkley.

After learning of Ball’s scoring average, Barkley decided to defend his co-basketball legend by challenging Ball to a game.

“Once I found out he averaged two points a game (in college)… Listen, you need to slow your roll,” Barkley said during his appearance on Mike & Mike. “He says I didn’t win a championship. I said to myself, ‘I need to go back and Google this guy, because maybe I missed the Ball era, when he was dominating and winning championships everywhere else.’ Listen, I’m too old and fat to play basketball, but I’ll challenge Mr. Ball to a one-on-one. How about that?”

Barkley continued to assure his victory, claiming he’s positive he’d beat Ball. “I don’t even know how old he is, he’s got to be around my age, but no guy who averaged two points a game can beat me at one-on-one. I’m positive of that.”

Ball didn’t let Barkley’s words slide, though. After hearing what he had to say, Ball responded on ESPN.com, claiming Barkley shouldn’t even attempt to beat him.

“He wants to play one-and-one and all this, and he says I averaged two points, ‘Who cares?” Ball said. “I know he don’t want to play one-on-one because he’s too big. He better stay behind that TNT thing (desk), and eat them doughnuts.”

So, like any good social media-aged network would do, TNT responded via Twitter. If LaVar Ball isn’t convinced NBA Hall of Famers can beat him, maybe their highlight reels can. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to dig up much on the former Washington State Cougar.

https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/842153495457349632

No one can blame Ball for having faith in his son’s ability. Comparing him to Stephen Curry may have been a little too much, but still had the loving father compassion behind it. But at some point, no matter how absurd his comments are, he needs to remain as the loving father and stop acting like he’s the six-time NBA champion.

Athletes have had the outgoing wives, parents, and fans before. When Ball started acting like he was the one leading UCLA to the Final Four, though, he became one of the first. It’s time for this dad to take a step back and praise his game in the backyard where it belongs.

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No one knows what LaVar Ball is going to say next. As head shocking as his words seem, though, he’s become one of the most entertaining fans in basketball. Let’s hope he eventually realizes that’s all he is, though.