The Los Angeles Lakers only saw Lonzo Ball in 47 games this season before he was shut down with an ankle injury. The troubling ankle ailments rightfully worry the Lakers front office and, given the recent rift appearing in the Ball family-owned business Big Baller Brand. The Lakers are reportedly questioning if Lonzo, who wears the Big Baller Brand sneakers, may be getting injured by his choice of shoe.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Paula Lavigne, the Lakers asked Lonzo Ball about the possibility of his Big Baller Brand shoes not providing the correct support to protect against injuries.
“Yeah, they talked to me,” Lonzo Ball told ESPN. “They asked me about it, and I told ’em, ‘I feel comfortable. If I wasn’t comfortable, I wouldn’t play in ’em. If I didn’t play in [Big Baller Brand shoes], I’d play in Kobe [Bryant’s signature Nike shoe]. I work out in [LeBron James’ signature Nike shoe], but that’s because they’re heavier.”
The piece from ESPN also says that Ball would be open to making minor adjustments to his Big Baller Brand shoe is needed. That marks an important diversion, where the brand has prided itself on not being like the others and not bending to outside pressures.
Lonzo Ball has had three separate ankle injuries since he has been on the Lakers, a difficult situation for a team that was expected to start competing right now. Ball as a defensive and playmaking point guard to play along side Lebron James was the vision Los Angeles had in mind. Ankle injuries, which could linger, could certainly put a strain on that plan.
The situation that plays out with Big Baller Brand could mean Lonzo Ball is wearing different shoes next season, in addition to a number of other changes that could be happening to the Lakers next season.
