Wale Didn’t Like LaVar Ball’s Response to People Who Can’t Afford His Shoes

On Thursday, LaVar Ball unveiled the ZO2, the debut signature shoe for Big Baller Brand, which will set you back a whopping $495 (add $200 if you wear size 14s or bigger). He also unveiled some flip-flops that went under the radar, but actually might be even more overpriced, if possible, at $220.

Obviously, some people balked at this price (including famous people, like Shaquille O’Neal) to which LaVar responded with his trademark elegance:

Now, flash forward a day, and Wale has joined the crew of Twitter users with a checkmark by their name who have decided to call out the patriarch of the Ball family. However, instead of simply pointing out that the price is a bit, uh, freaking absurd, Wale opted to question why LaVar chose to insult those who couldn’t spare $495 (plus tax) for some sneakers:

Somehow, we think that tweet is unlikely to sway him.

On Friday, while sitting down for an interview for The Dan Le Batard Show, Ball defended his unique pricing system. “I figured that’s what the shoe was worth,” he said. “I liked the way it sounds. You see, when you are your own owner, you can come up with any price you want.”

He also said the shoe’s cost was “symbolic” because Lonzo (you know, the actual player) was the first to have a brand before entering the NBA, and he said he thinks there’s value in Lonzo designing it, because other rookies aren’t allowed to do that by more established shoe companies.

Oh well. It’s your money, do what you want. We won’t stop you.