Lonzo Ball joins Michael Porter Jr. for a candid conversation about growing up in the Ball family, LaVar Ball’s influence on his career, Big Baller Brand, injuries, relationships, and the lessons he’s learned throughout his NBA journey.
Lonzo opens up about the legendary Chino Hills team, his time at UCLA, getting drafted by the Lakers, and how quickly the Ball family became one of the biggest stories in basketball. He also reflects on Big Baller Brand and admits that one of his biggest regrets was not taking more control of his career earlier.
He gets honest about the BBB shoes, the pressure of representing the family brand, and the point when he finally began stepping out from under his father’s umbrella and making decisions for himself.
Lonzo and Mike also connect over serious injuries and how being physically limited can completely change your relationship with basketball. Lonzo talks about reinventing his game, accepting what he could no longer do physically, and staying grateful for the opportunity to continue playing.
The conversation goes beyond basketball as Lonzo discusses his relationship, thoughts on marriage and prenups, LiAngelo’s infamous situation in China, and life after becoming famous at a young age.
To close things out, Lonzo and Mike debate some of the greatest guards in NBA history and play Start, Bench, Cut with Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Anthony Edwards, Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball and more. Lonzo even gives his honest ranking of Ant, Ja and his own brother Melo.
In this episode:
Growing up with LaVar Ball
The legendary Chino Hills basketball team
UCLA and becoming the No. 2 NBA Draft pick
The rise of Big Baller Brand
Lonzo’s biggest career regret
The truth about the BBB shoes
Becoming independent from LaVar
Lonzo’s long road through knee injuries
Reinventing his game after surgery
Relationships, marriage and prenups
LiAngelo Ball’s China incident
LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and Ja Morant
Steph Curry vs. Kyrie Irving
What Lonzo would tell his 19-year-old self
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