A question from a Greek guy... I thought US sports media were a step better than others... then i see an espn reporter following the ball circus in Lithuania and an article about the patriots just before the playoffs that..... let's better not comment.. that's not journalism...
Lavar Ball is a big story. On top of that, the Ball brothers playing in Lithuania is an interesting story alone as if it works, you could see other players go that route and forego college. Why shouldn't that be covered?
And the Patriots story was absolutely journalism. Just because you don't like the topic doesn't make it not journalism.
I'm not sure that is true. His words are inciting and "clickbait", but his son is an avg player on a bad team. At what point do guys like Tebow and Ball become part of the past?
I think it should be the moment that they stop producing at an above average rate.
Lavar Ball has made a story out of very little content. His two young sons don't look like NBA players, yet they are attracting as much/more attention than guys like Ayton/Bagley. Doesn't seem right.
LaMelo Ball had an ESPN recruiting rating of 95 and was in the top 6 of his class before he went to play professionally. Lonzo ended up a 96 and 4th in his class. Now obviously those ratings change a lot over time and mean nothing towards future success, but LaMelo was absolutely a top tier recruit and a likely first round pick, if not a lottery pick. Mudiay was rated 97 and Jennings 99 (though at least Mudiay was a year older), so they were slightly better prospects, but not nearly enough to put them in a class ahead of LaMelo.
LiAngelo on the other hand was rated only 79 and only was recruited by UCLA so they could land the services of LaMelo (and to appease Lonzo).
Don't let LiAngelo's mediocrity cloud your judgment on the prospect level of LaMelo, as they are no where near the same level of player or athlete. In fact, many believe LaMelo will be better than Lonzo, who was the #2 pick in the draft for a reason.