Somewhat lost in the bombshell news of Lonzo Ball parting ways with Big Baller Brand co-founder Alan Foster is an interesting nugget regarding the Los Angeles Lakers possibly being turned off by his signature sneakers.
According to ESPN, the Lakers asked Ball about his Big Baller Brand shoes, expressing concern about them potentially being the cause of his lingering ankle injuries. Ball confirmed the encounter.
"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 [his signature BBB 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."
Ball added that he's open to making minor adjustments to his sneakers if needed.
The Lakers previously looked into Big Baller Brand after learning that the company received a failing grade by the Better Business Bureau of Central California and Inland Empire Counties. In 2018, the bureau received 184 complaints about Big Baller Brand, mostly related to incorrect merchandise shipments, shipping orders on time, not providing information or responding to questions.
"We are trying to help Big Baller recognize what the issues are with their customers to help them fix those," said bureau president Blair Looney. "And they haven't, in our opinion, dedicated the resources it takes to get it done."
