Wizards' John Wall praises Lakers' Lonzo Ball has thoughts on LaVar
John Wall
Wizards guard  John Wall  moves the ball defended by Lakers guard Lonzo Ball during the first quarter at Staples Center. (Photo: Kelvin Kuo  USA TODAY Sports)
Following his teamâs 102-99 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers  an outcome that followed waves of pre-game trash talk   Washington Wizards point guard John Wall  praised Lonzo Ball and suggested the rookieâs outspoken father wonât significantly deter his prowess this season â pointing out that heâs more conditioned to the LaVar Ball spectacle than the rest of the NBA.
Before the game   Wall  said LaVarâs antics could be a âgift and a curse " but was more toned down and optimistic with his assessment of Lonzo after the game.
âHeâs a quiet kid who doesnât say too much â  Wall  told ESPN. âHeâs been dealing with (LaVarâs outlandish comments) his whole life. It doesnât bother him. Itâs just new to everybody else.
Ball struggled shooting from the floor for the third time in four games this season  going 2-for-11 and missing all five attempts from beyond the arc. But his 10 assists  and eight rebounds â including a board and length-of-the-court assist with 20 seconds left to help force overtime â proved to be a major difference-maker. Ball struggled in spurts against  Wall  defensively  but collaboratively the Lakers were able to contain the All-Star point guard.
Wall  who finished with 18 points and nine assists  said he was motivated by LaVarâs taunts earlier this week to the Wizards to âbeware.â To that  Wizards big man Marcin Gortat tweeted that  Wall  would âtortureâ Ball  while  Wall himself  said  he  planned to show âno mercy.â
Wizards guard   [TGT] moves the ball defended by Lakers guard Lonzo Ball during the first quarter at Staples Center. (Photo: Kelvin Kuo  USA TODAY Sports)
Following his teamâs 102-99 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers  an outcome that followed waves of pre-game trash talk    [TGT] praised Lonzo Ball and suggested the rookieâs outspoken father wonât significantly deter his prowess this season â pointing out that heâs more conditioned to the LaVar Ball spectacle than the rest of the NBA.
Before  [TGT] said LaVarâs antics could be a âgift and a curse " but was more toned down and optimistic with his assessment of Lonzo after the game.
âHeâs a quiet kid who doesnât say too much â   [TGT] told ESPN. âHeâs been dealing with (LaVarâs outlandish comments) his whole life. It doesnât bother him. Itâs just new to everybody else.
Ball struggled shooting from the floor for the third time in four games this season  going 2-for-11 and missing all five attempts from beyond the arc. But his 10 assists  and eight rebounds â including a board and length-of-the-court assist with 20 seconds left to help force overtime â proved to be a major difference-maker. Ball struggled in spurts against   [TGT] but collaboratively the Lakers were able to contain the All-Star point guard.
Wall  who finished with 18 points and nine assists  said he was motivated by LaVarâs taunts earlier this week to the Wizards to âbeware.â To that  Wizards big man Marcin Gortat tweeted that   [TGT] would âtortureâ Ball  while  Wall himself  said  he  planned to show âno mercy.â