Maybe so. I still think Trump steps in and gets the release of the players no matter who the players were or what school they played for. I just don't think this is a huge national storyline if it would have been 3 players from Georgia Tech who people don't know instead of a Ball kid.

 

The only reason Trump stepped in is because the high profile of the Ball family. It would've still been a big story, but we'd be talking about how long of prison sentences the guys would have instead of suspension lengths if they were GT players.

The only reason Trump stepped in is because the high profile of the Ball family. It would've still been a big story, but we'd be talking about how long of prison sentences the guys would have instead of suspension lengths if they were GT players.

I disagree. I think Trump steps in regardless. It's a bad look to have college basketball players serving time in a Chinese prison.

This has taken on a season finale'esque feel from any number of prime time dramas…..

 

Young, arrogant athletes try to pull off a heist in a foreign country where the US has shaky relations…. they are predictably immediately caught and threatened with outrageous penalties…. featuring the well-known boisterous sports family whom everyone must contain, and the controversial president who just happens to be touring the region. Love it!

 

(Seriously though...., I’m very happy/relieved the guys are back home... hope they learn from this and go off and do great things with their lives!)

Hate the talk..."let's not forget they are teenagers". Absolutely have disdain for Lavar Ball's dismissive.."it's no big deal". This was an embarrassment for the school, the program, the country, and it should be for the player's families. Stealing while on a goodwill, international trip. Stupid doesn't do these criminal actions justice. Just as UNC forfeited its integrity in defeating the NCAA, will UCLA forfeit its' in not handing out proper suspensions?

They should have put them in a hardcore Chinese prison for a few days to scare the bejesus out of them. Instead they are probably heros on campus.

The only reason Trump stepped in is because the high profile of the Ball family. It would've still been a big story, but we'd be talking about how long of prison sentences the guys would have instead of suspension lengths if they were GT players.

 

You really think Trump only stepped in because one of the kids was a Ball?? I think he would have stepped in no matter who the US students were. I think they were lucky that he happened to be there at the time. It would be easier for the Chinese president to say no over the phone than face to face. Trump seems to be developing a pretty good personal relationship with him and I think those three should be REALLY GLAD he has.

Lavar now says Trump Who? Says everyone is trying to make it look like Trump helped the kids out. This guys a clown.

It is hard to dislike a guy more than I dislike Lavar Ball. He and his son are incredibly lucky that the son is not sitting in a Chinese jail for a long time. I hate to dislike the sons because the dad is a clown but it is hard not to, especially after what the son just did. UCLA would be smart to just totally cut ties with all things "Ball" related. That family is just not worth the baggage that comes due to the dad being such a tool.

Lavar now says Trump Who? Says everyone is trying to make it look like Trump helped the kids out. This guys a clown.

 

An unappreciative clown at that. Lavar still says that the shoplifting charge was no big deal. Hopefully the kids appreciate what President Trump did for them more than Lavar does. Trump responded to Lavar's comments today by saying he should have left them in jail.

Lavar now says Trump Who? Says everyone is trying to make it look like Trump helped the kids out. This guys a clown.

 

 

I think Lavar and DJT are the same guy. Just different perspectives on life as tehy see it. Exact same guys, though.

Probably a good place to end this before someone goes too far.

 

Feel free to start a thread to discuss UCLA's handling of this now that the players are home.