Los Angeles Lakers rookie point guard Lonzo Ball has received overwhelming support from fans and peers alike since entering the league. Not only is he presumably the best player in the 2017 NBA Draft, but the 19-year-old phenom has even launched his very own brand despite not playing a single game.

Ball's path to the league was highly-publicized thanks in part to his charismatic father LaVar Ball — who became a polarizing figure in the media during his son's rise to the NBA. Among his supporters is New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Tony Allen, who says he would have gone No. 1 overall if his dad was like Ball in an interview with TMZ:

“You don't got too many black, African-American dad's that are speaking up for their kids, so I respect Lonzo Ball's dad for that,” Allen said. “If my dad would have been like that, I would have gone No. 1.”

Allen's admiration for Ball is certainly understandable when one considers the number of players in the NBA who did not have a father around to make sure their son's talent was not being exploited while they were growing up. Ball's confidence in his son's ability is perhaps only equally matched by his dedication to his family and their business — the Big Baller Brand.

All that being said, it is hard to imagine if Ball himself would have been able to convince the Orlando Magic to take Allen with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2004 NBA Draft over future three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard.