LaMelo – Source: David Jensen / Getty
After casually dropping “no homo” in a post-game interview, LaMelo Ball was slapped with a $100,000 fine from the NBA.
The National Basketball Association is in the middle of laying the organization’s foundation for the future of its top-tier sports products. Stars like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Steph Curry are closer to retirement than we notice, and a new face of the league has to emerge. Between fan favorites Anthony Edwards, Ja Morant, and LaMelo Ball, it isn’t quite clear who’ll rise to the occasion.
Unfortunately for the latter, LaMelo Ball, while he’s amazing on the court, his post-game comments are in question after a recent on-air slip-up.
According to TMZ, LaMelo Ball used the phrase “no homo” during a post-game interview, and the NBA wasn’t too thrilled about the remark. Ball was fined $100,000 but promised he “really didn’t mean anything” or “want to offend anybody” with the comments. Coach Charles Lee revealed that the situation was addressed with LaMelo and that we can expect improvement in the future.
“He and I talked about it and he definitely said going forward, ‘I’m going to be better,’ and I want to see that happen,” Lee said. “So for somebody to use those words and say that out of his mouth, we will make sure to hold him accountable to that.”
A remorseful LaMelo also stated, “I’ve got love for everybody,” before doubling down with “I don’t discriminate” to make his point clear.
While it seems like a joke and most fans know that, it’s important to remember that the NBA is transitioning to being more family-friendly.
Between Anthony “Send The Video” Edwards and Ja “Pass The Glock” Morant’s off-court efforts, the NBA isn’t allowing reckless behavior on their watch.