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Kerr checks LaVar's bragging: 'I don't think it's helping his kids'

Brett Davis / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr became the latest figure to check LaVar Ball for his outlandish claims.

LaVar, the father of UCLA standout Lonzo Ball, has taken shots at everyone from Stephen Curry to LeBron James to Charles Barkley to Michael Jordan while he barges his way into cultural relevancy.

Kerr appeared on ESPN radio on Thursday to denounce LaVar's braggadocio.

"The fact that everybody keeps talking about him, he seems to be accomplishing whatever he's trying to accomplish, because the things he says are so outlandish. But he keeps getting headlines, and I guess that's what he wants," Kerr said.

"I don't think it's helping his kids. I think it'd be better for them if they can just play and have fun and not have to hear that every day, but whatever. It's all part of him."

Kerr's sentiments echo those of Barkley, who also knocked LaVar for raising his own profile while the spotlight is on Lonzo.

"Your son's life is his life, it's not yours," Barkley said. "No matter what his son accomplished, it's not his. So I wish his son nothing but the best, kid's a hell of a player. But I don't like when parents interject."

For his part, Lonzo appears unfazed by his father's growing media presence.

''He's been like that my whole life. It's nothing new to me,'' he said. ''He's got a camera in front of his face now so y'all are seeing it for the first time. ... He's never going to change for the cameras. He's been the same his whole life.''

UCLA coach Steve Alford also finds no fault in LaVar's words.

''It's been no distraction to us and a lot of that has to do with Lonzo, who he is, a strong-willed kid, way beyond his 18 years of age,'' Alford said. ''He's a special talent both mentally and physically, and it's how he's wired. He's been built this way. He's been built for this.''

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