LaVar Ball had a lot to say after Erik Spoelstra criticized his son, LaMelo, earlier this week for his dirty play on Bam Adebayo
LaVar Ball has never avoided the spotlight or attention.
He is the father of Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball, who played a role in eliminating the Miami Heat from the postseason Tuesday night. The younger Ball scored a game-high 30 points, but it was a play in the first half that had everyone buzzing.
Ball made what many considered a dirty play when he grabbed the leg of Heat star Bam Adebayo. The move made Adebayo fall, landing on his lower back. Adebayo never returned to the game.
Many criticized Ball for the play but his father rushed to the defense. Speaking on the Big Baller podcast, the elder Ball supported LaMelo.
"I'm trying to figure out how somebody can lay on their back and with their left hand flip over a man 260 pounds," Ball said. "Try that. That ain't gonna work."
After the game, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra had some harsh words for the younger Ball. Many felt the Heat would have had a chance to win if Adebayo were in the lineup.
"I don’t think it's cute," Spoelstra said. "I don’t think it's funny, I think it’s a stupid play, it’s a dangerous play. Obviously, our best player was out. I’m not making any excuse; the Hornets played great. They made those plays down the stretch. We had our opportunities to win. That’s a shame, [Ball] should be penalized for that, I don’t think that belongs in the game, tripping guys, shenanigans."
That's when LaVar Ball took aim at Spoelstra. He said his son was simply trying to protect himself when he grabbed Adebayo's leg.
"And Spoelstra don't be making all these excuses talking about you don't want to make an excuse," Ball said. "Then why are you making one? Win the game and call it in. But if somebody is falling on top on me, you best believe I'm gonna put my hand up and do all kind of stuff. That's just how the Balls are taught. We do some dangerous stuff, get out of the way, because we ain't getting stepped on."
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of HeatRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com