Sixers

I Sort of Respect LaVar Ball

By Kyle Scott

Published: May 5th, 2017 · 10:06 AM EDT

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OK so I’m not gonna lie here– I like the shoe. Sure, the logo sucks and Allen Iverson basically had these 10 years ago…

… but they’re otherwise not bad looking and instantly recognizable with the gold trim. I’m qualified to opine because I broke the mold with my blue blogging Crocs. Bonus points for the various materials and surfaces (on the shoe, not my Crocs, which are unapologetically rubber).

Everyone is hating on LaVar Ball – for good reason, he’s a dickhead – but he’s a sneaky marketing genius. As Adam pointed out on the podcast this morning*, LaVar got everyone yesterday to stop talking about the Republicans stealing healtcare from millions of Americans** and bitch about a $495 sneaker (never mind that $995 wet version, which comes autographed and subtly has me turned on). And then, in some next-level mind-fuckery, planted the seed that you’re poor if you don’t wear them:

Shit, imagine if Apple tried this technique with the new iPhone– you’re poor if you don’t get the Plus and at least 128 gigs of storage. Boom, instant margin increase. LaVar may be onto something here, and he’ll fit right in if the Sixers draft Lonzo in separating the good people of the Delaware Valley from their wallets. An expensive sneaker is nothing compared to a $150k gym franchise.

*This is my new blogging shtick– stealing other people’s words from the podcast and making blog posts out of them. Content!

**I will likely benefit financially, but it’s shitty to make it difficult for sick people to get coverage.