Ballmer Has Bought The Clippers Stability, Doc NeedsTo
There was pomp. There was circumstance. And there was history!
August 12, 2014 will forever be remembered as the most significant day since the Los Angeles Clippers 1970 birth in Buffalo
On that day Steve Ballmer officially assumed control of the team from Shelly Sterling, who acted on behalf of her contentious husband, Donald.
Need A Suit?
There were suits and counter-suits galore.
The accusations were fast and furious.
Sterling’s racially charged and insensitive remarks caught the ire of the entire country, from west coast to east.
Paid The Price!
It all culminated on April 29, with commissioner Adam Silver handing down a lifetime ban and fining Sterling $2.5M, the maximum allowed by the NBA constitution.
One month later, Ballmer submitted his $2B bid to purchase the Clippers.
Over Valued!
Conjecture was overwhelming that the price tag was outrageous.
According to Forbes, the Clippers value that year was $575,000.
Middle Of The Pack
They were the 13th most valuable franchise in the NBA.
The New York Kickerbockers topped the list at $1.4M.
The remainder of the Top Five included the Lakers ($1.35M), Chicago ($1M), Boston ($875,000) and the Brooklyn Nets ($780,000).
To pay nearly 3 1/2 times the team’s estimated value ruffled some feathers in NBA circles.
Bill Gates’ Pal
Chunk change for the former Microsoft Chief Executive Officer.
Ballmer’s estimated wealth according to Forbes is $28.3B.
On the cusp of his third season as Clipper owner, the 60-year old Ballmer might be wondering when he will start receiving returns on his hefty investment.
Impressive Start
The rookie owner got off to a great start in 2014-2015.
His team won 56 games, good for a second place finish in the Pacific Division.
Then Chris Paul hit the heroic game winning shot in Game 7 in the opening round of the playoffs to eliminate San Antonio.
No More Highlights
Unfortunately, it was all down hill thereafter..
Los Angeles took a 3-1 series lead against the Houston Rockets in the West semifinals.
A three game collapse followed.
Early Ouster
Last season was even worse when the Clippers managed just one win in a first round elimination by Portland.
So what can Ballmer expect in 2016-2017?
Core Returns
Despite the loss of Jeff Green and Cole Aldrich, the Clippers managed to sign all of their key free agents.
With Austin Rivers, Jamal Crawford, Wesley Johnson and Luc Richard Mbah a Monte in the fold, the Clippers will have their rotation pretty much intact.
House Call Anyone?
President Of Basketball Operations and head coach Doc Rivers has a knack of finding savvy veterans who have playoff experience at a very inexpensive price.
Marreese Speights, Raymond Felton, Brandon Bass and Alan Anderson have contributed on contending teams in the past.
By remaining relatively quiet during the off season, the Clipper maintained stability and chemistry with familiarity.
Offensively, last year’s starting core – Paul, J.J. Redick, Mbah a Monte, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan – were among the best in the league statistically.
Injury Free?
A healthy Griffin could push the Clippers back to the top of the league in offensive efficiency.
Defensively, it might be a different story.
Take Charge
The ability to defend their own basket will come into question.
The Clippers will need to be more efficient and do a better job controlling their glass.
And they still lack a good wing player.
So what does all this mean?
What Are The Answers?
This season is clouded by an air of finality.
Paul and Griffin could be playing their final years in Clipper attire.
Both will become free agents at the end of the season.
Will They Stay In L.A.?
Will it take a deep run into the playoffs to keep the pair in Los Angeles?
Another 50-plus win season will certainly propel the Clippers into the playoffs.
However, they have never reached the conference finals.
Bay Area Beast!
Now that Kevin Durant has joined forces with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green in Golden State. the likelihood of any other Western Conference team getting to the NBA Finals appears unlikely.
What if the Clippers were the last roadblock between the Warriors and another finals appearance?
What Will It Take?
Would that be enough for keep Paul and Griffin in Southern California?
And for all his billions of dollars, could Ballmer afford to resign the twin superstars?
Big Bucks
Not only would the contracts cost him heavily, but the league’s luxury tax would undoubtedly be enormous as well.
How crazy is that?
So here the Clippers are, about to embark on their 47th and perhaps most intriguing season.
Will the year conclude with jubilation? Will there be a celebration? And will there be memories?
The answers to those questions need to be addressed by Father Time.
John Stellman
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