Definitive proof that LaVar Ball is already the NBA’s greatest villain of all-time

Big Baller Brand. LaVar Ball. Lonzo Ball. Say what you will, but LaVar has generated a nearly-deafening buzz around his son Lonzo and brain child brand. It’s been effective, and Lonzo’s become the big name entering the NBA, even if Markelle Fultz was the No. 1 pick and first point guard selected.

LaVar’s a showman when the cameras are on him, and while he may be a great father and family man by all accounts, his loud personality rubs many the wrong way. What if that’s a good thing, though? What if that adds to the experience? What if this is all just part of the act headed to the Los Angeles Lakers?

Sometimes the best stories need a great villain to drive it, and LaVar Ball has it all. He drips with charisma — let’s call it aggressive charisma — and thrives while flying off the cuff. What if LaVar is really just bringing some good ole’ fashioned sports entertainment to the hoops world?

LaVar just might be the perfect WWE heel manager, and just so happens to have the perfect “client” a la Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar in Lonzo. It’s almost too perfect, and on June 22, 2017 we saw LaVar become the true heel the NBA universe needs.

As he and the Ball family exited Barclays Center, boos rained down on LaVar. He played to the crowd, bathing in the jeers before throwing his Big Baller Brand cap into the crowd. The crowd ate it up, and of course there was a scramble to grab the hat:

LaVar’s already over with the crowd, and he’s not even on the big stage yet. Classic.

If you’re unfamiliar with Heyman, this should suffice on tying it all together. He’s one of the most over-the-top microphone talents of all-time, calling himself Lesnar’s “advocate” while serving as his mouth piece. It truly is the perfect comparison:

LaVar might even be more supportive of Lonzo.