Clipped up
Kawhi didn’t care the Clippers billionaire owner was in town to see him play
Steve Ballmer didn’t become one of the richest people in the world by being subtle.
So, considering what’s gone on all season long, it was no surprise to see the billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Clippers seated conspicuously courtside at Scotiabank Arena for Sundays game against the Raptors.
Ballmer’s Clippers are all-in on acquiring top talent this in free agency this summer, and Raptors superstar Kawhi Leonard, an
L.A. native, has been at the top of their list for some time now.
That’s why the Clippers have reportedly sent team personnel, such as president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank or others, to most Raptors games this season. It’s a recruiting mission, an attempt to let Leonard, and perhaps more importantly, Leonard’s inner circle, know how much they care.
This began months ago, with the Clippers declining to bring back the team’s then television analyst Bruce Bowen in August, after the long-time San Antonio forward strongly criticized Leonard for his role in the breakup with the Spurs.
Bringing in a large number of Clippers staffers to the building and, more importantly, having Ballmer seated up close to Leonard was the latest attempt at reminding the Leonard camp just how much the Clippers care. It’s not common for an owner to fly across North America for a game, though Ballmer is a Michigan native and was in Detroit for the game against the Pistons a day earlier and perhaps some other business nearby.
While the Clippers get an A for effort, and might be impressing Leonard’s camp, he himself is not the type to be swayed by this full-court press.
Following the easy Raptors win Leonard told a few of us that he didn’t even know Ballmer was there.
“I know who he is,” Leonard said, seemingly perplexed at the thought that he wouldn’t know who the former Microsoft boss was.
“I didn’t see him tonight. I don’t really pay attention to who’s at the game or anything like that unless I’m sitting on the bench or there’s a dead ball or something like that and they make an announcement,” Leonard continued.
“That’s pretty much the times when I know someone’s here.” Leonard made it clear, as he has since his initial gathering with the media months ago, that his thoughts are only on this Raptors season. Whatever is to come in July will not burden his mind at the moment.
“I’m not thinking about it right now. I’m just focussed on the season. I didn’t know he was at the game until you guys told me and I’m focussed and when that time comes we’ll have to talk and sit down with everyone and have meetings,” Leonard said.
Ballmer gave one fan a high five as he exited the building following the blowout Raptors win.
Earlier in the evening, he had a halftime chat with Raptors co-owner Larry Tanenbaum, the other billionaire in the building, who is also chairman of the NBA’s board of governors.
Oh, to be a fly on the wall for that conversation.
Twitter had a field day with that idea, with memes flooding in: Was Tanenbaum saying “hand’s off our guy” and threatening tampering fines? Wishing Ballmer a sportsmanlike good luck? Debating the merits of various cushy private jets?
Long-time Leonard teammate Danny Green, who also arrived in Toronto in the blockbuster with the Spurs, said it was cool of Ballmer to travel all the way to town, but added he’s impressed with Tanenbaum too.
“That shows that they are involved and they care. To see L.T. (who attends a number of road games every year, usually ones that are closer to home), L.T.’s a good friend of mine, so I can call (Tanenbaum) L.T. now,” Green joked to the Sun. “It’s good to see him every game here supporting, with the hockey guys (too). It’s good to see the owner cares,” Green said.
“(Ballmer and Tanenbuam are) involved. They’ll let you know that it’s not just a business to them. They’re actually interested in the sport and the players and getting to know the players and actually care for the players. When they’re that invested, it shows a lot and I think the players appreciate it,” Green said.
Even if some of those players don’t even notice their presence.