Takeaways from Lonzo Ball's letter to LaVar on The Players' Tribune

Mar 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Lavar Ball embraces his son UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) after the game against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Lonzo Ball gets it now. At least, Ithink he gets it.

In a letter titled "To the Loudest Guy in the Gym" on the Players' Tribune, Lonzo finally gets a chance to tell the world his side of LaVar's craziness. And while there are no bombshells -- c'mon, it is a letter written just a few days before Father's Day -- you can see what Lonzo is doing here.

For the past few months, we have been subjected to quite a lot of Lonzo's father on our TVs and across the internet making outrageous claims ranging from being able to beat Michael Jordan one-on-one to saying his son would be a Laker before the ping pong balls even had a chance to fall where they did.

Love him or hate him, LaVar has a lot to say, while Lonzo has remained mostly silent. But with the NBA Draft Father's Day coming up, Lonzo's letter walks the fine line between the LaVar we see and the one Lonzo has grown up with:

While much of the letter is what you'd expect: Lonzo reiterating that the man on TV is different -- and yet, somehow the same -- from the father at home. There is one bit that sticks out especially following reports that the Lakers were not impressed with Lonzo's workouts including the shape he arrived in:

First of all, great name check of Magic there. Second, Lonzo might be thanking his dad for all the condition and rigorous work ethic he instilled but it's clear he's reallylearned how to get his message out to control the narrative.

Nodoubt LaVar had some hand in Lonzo being a great basketball player but let's be honest much of that was likely God-given. LaVar has in the months leading up to the draft laid a blueprint for his son on how to get his point across. And now Lonzo's doing the same in his own way.

He may not be as outspoken as his dad but make no mistake, Lonzo is his father's son and this letter is as much a statement to NBA teams as it is to LaVar.