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Lonzo Ball Doesn't Think LaVar Will Affect His NBA Career at All

"Everybody has an opinion."

No matter what LaVar Ball says, it comes down to strictly basketball for Lonzo Ball.

And the projected top-three pick in the 2017 NBA Draft doesn't think his controversial hoops dad will be a distraction or affect his pro career in any way at all.

Lonzo made that clear after working out with the Los Angeles Lakers yesterday in a session which included NBA Hall of Famer and Lakers President Magic Johnson. The Lakers banned LaVar from attending, but invited him to a pre-workout dinner.

"They said that about me in high school, they said that about me in college," Lonzo commented about critics saying LaVar would be a distraction to him, as reported by ESPN. "I don't think it will affect me."

He added, "Everyone has an opinion. I know who I am. People who know me know who I am. That's all that matters."

LaVar has long tried to speak the Lakers drafting his son into existence. Fresh off his workout with the team, Lonzo, too echoed his dad's sentiments, saying he would love to play in Los Angeles.

"Of course. It's home," said Lonzo, a product of Chino Hills, California and UCLA.

He added, "They need a leader. They need a point guard. I feel like I can fill that hole."

And for what it's worth, Lonzo says the Lakers' front office "loves" LaVar.

But what if the Lakers don't select Lonzo with the second overall pick in the draft?

"I'll go to any team and just do what I do," Ball said. "Play basketball."

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