Retired semi-pro football player LaVar Ball’s Big Baller Brand introduced his son Lonzo Ball’s signature ZO2 shoe line on Thursday — it didn’t go too well.
Social media began to pick apart the shoe as fast as it was unveiled. Besides the fact, that Lonzo Ball, a UCLA Basketball phenom, has yet to even be drafted to the NBA, people are upset that they’re expected to pay almost $500 for shoes that are seemingly knockoffs of Kobe Bryant’s signature Nikes.
While the main ZO2 primes run for at least $495, the autographed pair go for a minimum of $995 — the slides cost $220 (in case you’re on a budget or something).
For a sense of how… optimistic Lonzo is about his future legacy, according to ESPN the highest price for a pair of Michael Jordan-branded shoes was $400 — but he was, well, Michael Jordan. Lonzo, just so we’re clear, hasn’t even been drafted by the NBA yet.
Even former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal slammed Ball’s shoes for being overpriced. “Hey LaVar Ball, real big baller brands don’t over charge kids for shoes,” tweeted the retired NBA champion and Olympic Gold medalist.
Others simply ridiculed the entire product, blasting Ball for thinking he could get away with charging so much for a shoe that’s not even all that unique.
“Who the hell does lavar ball think his son is charging almost 500$ for his off-brand james harden lookin shoe,” mocked one Twitter user.
Lavar Ball defended the shoe with tweet right of the Marie Antoinette playbook, stating that you’re not a baller if you’re complaining about the price.
“Big Baller’s loose! If you can’t afford the ZO2’S, you’re NOT a BIG BALLER!” he said.
Big Baller's loose! If you can't afford the ZO2'S, you're NOT a BIG BALLER! 💰
— Lavar Ball (@Lavarbigballer) May 4, 2017
See the best replies below.
LaVar Ball sabotaged Lonzo's Nike, Adidas and Under Armour meetings to promote Big Baller Brand pic.twitter.com/ftTeyXCh8B
— Legends (@LegendsofCH) May 4, 2017
Hey @Lavarbigballer real big baller brands don't over charge kids for shoes. pic.twitter.com/N2U0VPXXyt
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) May 4, 2017
When you catch LaVar Ball in traffic after spending $495 on Kobe 11 bootlegs pic.twitter.com/Ew1AX0VBEN
— James Cole (@JCNoHunnidz) May 4, 2017
So Lavar Ball is railing against the elites for the elites who aren't as elite as the elites he's railing against but are elite
— 👻🎃✨America Is Musty✨🎃👻 (@DragonflyJonez) May 4, 2017
Some of us defended Lavar Ball. Some of us mocked him. He just hopped on social media and called all of us broke. Can't even be mad. pic.twitter.com/MqZGOdHCmo
— X (@XLNB) May 5, 2017
Lavar Ball is crazy if he thinks people will buy those off brand buddies for $495. They better come with $493 in the box
— Joe M. Gilliam Jr. (@Run_jmg39) May 4, 2017
LaVar Ball taking Lonzo Ball into the Crocs shoe deal meeting pic.twitter.com/g0a21f9dmB
— DeColdest Juan (@DeColdestJuan) April 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/CrossoverReport/status/857986833535447040
LaVar Ball walking into Sketchers offices pic.twitter.com/f132W6nZKc
— Brody Logan (@BrodyLogan) April 28, 2017
Lavar Ball blowing his sons money opportunities like pic.twitter.com/DsldGnhbrq
— Gilbert Arenas Burner (@GilbertAgent0) April 28, 2017