Steve Ballmer is apparently still furious over the NBA’s punishment of the Clippers. The more interesting question may be whether that anger is getting in his way.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on Get Up that Ballmer is “very clearly angry” after the league fined the Clippers $30 million, stripped them of five first-round picks and suspended Ballmer for one year.
Windhorst also suggested Ballmer’s attorneys likely wanted him to settle before the NBA handed down its ruling.
“I’d be stunned if his lawyers didn’t advise him, as Shams [Charania] said, to make a plea deal because he should’ve made a plea deal,” Windhorst said.
Windhorst also wrote Friday that lawyers for the NBA and Clippers were in contact in the weeks before the punishment was announced. Instead of reaching an agreement, the Clippers continued to fight.
They’re still fighting now. Perhaps Ballmer ultimately will be proven right for doing so. But Windhorst believes another path might better serve the franchise.
The Timberwolves initially lost five first-round picks in the Joe Smith scandal in 2000, then eventually had two restored after changing their approach and working with the league.
So, yeah, Ballmer can stay angry. The question is whether being angry is actually helping the Clippers.
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