Those are two different arguments, IMO. Plus, people just follow whatever path that is in front of them. Previously, guys only went overseas if they couldn't qualify for the NCAA. I just don't think that this is some development ruining move. Nor do I think it's the best move either.
I think this is a fair take. I mostly agree. My POV is that Melo's development is coming at the expense of the brand push. There are a couple of factors.
1. Lavar putting the middle-finger up to the NCAA by having his youngest boy rock his OWN signature line. I'm all for it due to how this corporation exploits it's athletes in many sports. However, we have to remember that all of this went down BEFORE the shoplifting situation in China, which is point #2.
2. LiAngelo's situation at UCLA. We all know why LiAngelo was at UCLA in the first place. It was a package deal involving Lonzo and LaMelo. LiAngelo is probably a D1 caliber basketball player, but would not be at UCLA if it wasn't for his other, more talented brothers. It's as simple as that. Even with LaMelo's amateur status up in the air with the NCAA, LiAngelo would be enjoying the fruits of being on the UCLA roster had the shoplifting situation never happened. LaVar parlayed Lonzo & LaMelo's talents to getting his middle boy to school on a roster that he had no business of being on in the first place. He (Lavar) straight up hustled UCLA for the time being.
Let's got back to #1 for a second. Even with Melo NOT being able to play NCAA ball due to his sneaker, (and for the sake of the conversation, let's say LiAngelo never shoplifted) I'd be willing to bet that there is less than a 0.1% chance he's playing pro ball in Lithuania right now because he'd STILL be eligible to play at Chino Hills, another public HS, prep school, etc.
Anyways,
Here's a good read on how a twitter DM, of all things, got the Ball boys over to Lithuania as a package deal. This was in the fallout of the whole LiAngelo situation in China/UCLA, which I believe was just another reactionary chess move by Lavar. Reactionary and chess are two words that shouldn't go together. So, who's the pawn in all of this? LaMelo. He's being dragged along for a ride due to the exposure the BBB will be getting from setting up shop in Lithuania, the FB web series, etc.
Contrary to what folks on here may think, I do hope that things work out for him. One has to hope that he will continue to develop and not regress due to the BBB circus. I have my doubts about this Lithuania move and I'd love to be wrong...because at the end of the day, LaMelo is still just a kid. As I mentioned before, I rock with A LOT of what Lavar Ball does....however, I don't have to agree with his every decision. And this is one of them.