On Monday, the Los Angeles Clippers held a pep rally to welcome new owner Steve Ballmer to the team.
Clippers fans were lined up down to Figueroa Blvd. for Ballmer pep rally at Staples Center pic.twitter.com/vgBoIHjXbu
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) August 18, 2014
ESPN’s own J.A. Adande was on hand to report from the event and it really does sound like Steve Ballmer is going to be one of the most interesting owners in the NBA.
The first clue that things were going to be different in Los Angeles was how Blake Griffin addressed the former Microsoft CEO when he spoke at the rally:
Blake Griffin: "We want to thank Ballmer, we want to thank all of you for sticking with us." So he just calls his boss "Ballmer"? Lol
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) August 18, 2014
Steve Ballmer has no time for formalities like “Ballmer” or “Mr. Ballmer”:
But "Ballmer" to Blake Griffin. “@ArashMarkazi: Ballmer: "My name is Steve. Mr. Ballmer is my father."”
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) August 18, 2014
Then there was Steve Ballmer’s introductory hype music (yes, Ballmer had intro music):
Steve Ballmer's intro music: Eminem's "Lose Yourself"
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) August 18, 2014
Reminder: Steve Ballmer looks more like the host of a public telethon than he does a hip-hop head.
Ballmer wasted no time trash talking the Oklahoma City Thunder by basically refusing to call them by their name:
Ballmer: "i'm not moving the team to Seattle. But I love Seattle. I'm going to enjoy beating the old Seattle basketball team."
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) August 18, 2014
Importantly, Steve Ballmer also has some evident swagger, much to the amusement and confusion of his own players.
Ballmer. "We're going to be hardcore. Haaaard core."
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) August 18, 2014
Clippers players smiling, looking at each other like "can you believe this guy?"
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) August 18, 2014
Steve Ballmer also managed to cast some shade on Donald Sterling while he trumpeted a bright future for the Clippers.
Ballmer: "I'll boldly say the Clippers will win many, many, many many more Larrys in the next 26 [years] than the last 26."
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) August 18, 2014
Basically, Steve Ballmer already sounds like one of the best owners in the NBA. Can’t wait to see how he goes “haaard core” in the future.
