The most notorious sports dad strikes again

UCLA guard Lonzo Ball's father LaVar Ball. Photo / Getty

He's the most notorious sports dad in America.

And LaVar Ball is not going away despite managing to insult three of the NBA's icons in Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal.

In fact LaVar has managed to get a truckload of people offside over his zealous promotion of his son Lonzo, a former college player for UCLA in California and about to enter the NBA draft and a future superstar career.

Ball senior says his son is already better than Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry and more advanced at this stage in his career than Michael Jordan - a claim scoffed at James.

They're big calls but LaVar is not stepping away from the bold claims and has already launched a basketball sneaker in his son's name that he is trying to sell for almost $US500 a pair!

"I'm gonna build this empire and guess what? Folks don't like that," Lavar says of his haters earlier this year on ESPN show First Take.

LaVar's irreverence apparently knows no bounds.

Just this week when appearing on an ESPN show, he said: "I don't need no advice from Kobe Bryant. I don't need advice from Kobe Bryant. 'Zo's (son Lonzo) got to play his game."

'Daddy Ball' also said he was ready to physically take on any of his son's critics and has been lifting weights in preparation of potential fisticuffs.

LaVar recently unveiled a signature shoe for his son with an eye-popping price tag of $US495 a pair.

The 'Big Baller Brand' was revealed last week and is taking pre-orders on its website. The black sneaker accented in gold is described as "meticulously developed at every stage by Lonzo Ball." The listing says the shoes will ship by the end of November.

Buyers may be out of luck if the shoes don't fit. The listing says there will be no refunds or exchanges.

The price tag has prompted criticism from some, including Hall of Famer O'Neal.

LaVar Ball answered his critics on Twitter , writing: "If you can't afford the shoes, you're NOT a BIG BALLER!".