Is Steve Ballmer the best owner in the NBA?

[Godymas]

The Clippers seem to consistently be an FA destination in the off-season. Say what you want about the age of their roster, but they are always pulling veterans to fill out their team and guys are willing to sign for surprisingly friendly deals. The team seems to never have any issues internally, everyone seems generally happy, and so many players show up and have career years in LA. Norm Powell, Marcus Morris, Reggie Jackson, Paul George, Nic Batum, the list of guys that have made themselves more valuable just by playing on the Clippers seems never ending in the Kawhi Leonard era. Their ability to consistently make the playoffs is unmatched, they might be the most consistent team in terms of making the playoffs since the year 2010.

Then there's the new arena, which is supposed to be the most world class fan friendly arena in the entire NBA. Steve Ballmer seems dedicated towards delivering an exceptional fan experience with his infamous "bathrooms" quote to stacking the arena with technology such as facial scanning, audio detection, etc. The fact that Ballmer wants to reward fans that are passionate in his stadium is incredible. He also literally flew out fans to Denver in the playoffs this year, I can't think of an owner that would willingly do that.

The movement to Inglewood has been brilliant for the Clippers. The new central location makes the arena so much more attractive to NBA stars that are going to want to live in the expensive beach front properties that are further away from Crypto arena.

Say what you want about the Blake Griffin situation, but ultimately Ballmer extended Blake and then moved him. He didn't just put Blake out to dry. Sure it sucks that Blake fell off so quickly, but obviously they knew about the issue.

They somehow made losing Paul George as an FA a complete W, the team seems immaculate when it comes to actually comprehending the true value of their players.

I could care less if the Clippers never draft again if they remain a veteran FA destination, which is what it seems they are. The fact that they've treated Kawhi and Harden so well in their time there has drawn more veteran FAs with Lopez and Beal this off-season, but even in the past they've always seemed highly attractive.

I really hope this team wins a championship soon, because they really deserve it for all the effort they've put in.

[FrodoFraggins]

How many titles do the clippers have again?

[bstein14]

He's the richest owner in the NBA, and I think he's likely LeBron's escape plan this season since all of LeBron's buddies (CP3, Brook Lopez, Ben Simmons, etc) have signed with the Clippers.

He's an owner who is willing to pay whatever it takes to win, he really just got taken to the woodshop by Leonard only wanting to come if PG13 was also going to be there and Thunder took full advantage of the Clippers in that trade knowing the Clippers would pay extra if it was what they had to do to get Leonard to sign as a FA.

[God Squad]

No. But I think they have the best stadium in the league.

[God Squad]

I could care less if the Clippers never draft again if they remain a veteran FA destination, which is what it seems they are.

I agree with this in theory, but you should want to get stars in their prime.

You don't want to be the NBA retirement home team.

[UcanUwill]

I do not know if he is the best owner, but he is my favorite one. He is seriously the only Clipper I cheer for if that makes sense. Also, as PC master race, I welcome our Microsoft overlord, just kidding, but Balmer is fun. Now just let turn off and delete some programs Windows run in the background if we do not need it thanks, windows CPU bloat is huge.

[Bankai]

The passion he has for his team is undeniable. He obviously cares for it. Does he meddle? I dont know. But he green lights everything.

[Godymas]

How many titles do the clippers have again?

Plenty of well run franchises have no titles, it has nothing to do with it.

The Pacers, OKC until this year, Utah, etc.

[wegotthabeet]

Yes. Even if he gives off embarrassing dad vibes, he’s still what every fan should want in an owner. Deepest pockets with the willingness to spend whatever it takes and is extremely passionate about the team’s success.

[Optms]

Is this the same owner who traded futute MVP Shai to the Thunder, possibly turning OKC into a dynasty? The same trade where the Clippers have nothing to show for it?

That Steve Balmer?

[Calvin Klein]

Best owners are the ones that are usually absent from headlines. Ballmer is definitely not one of them.

[Buckeye-NBAFan]

Ballmer's willingness to make big moves, like trading the farm for Paul George, doesn't necessarily make him the best owner

[nate33]

I think there's a fair argument that he is the best owner. It depends on how much one assigns responsibility for trade approval on an owner. Should Ballmer be blamed for trading SGA, or should his GM?

But as far as his willingness to spend, and his ability to develop relationships with players - things that definitely fall into an owner's purview - he does appear to be among the very best. It was a monumental undertaking to try and build a respected franchise in the shadow of the LA Lakers. He has done it.

[BodieB]

He's running a resort for aging vets on their way to retirement under the false pretense of competing for championships. I guess for a certain type of fan that's the best owner.

[CS707]

Clippers are a throw s**t at the wall and see what sticks organization. The only plan is to keep spending until you stumble onto something that works.

[TheGeneral99]

He's a good owner in the sense that he's willing to spend and is very passionate.

I'm sure most fans would prefer a guy like Ballmer who isn't going to cheap out on the team even though he's loud and cringe.

As for best owner - I mean the quality of a great owner is being willing to spend to help the team and hiring good people around them who are competent. Cuban was the exception to the rule and he carved a successful run as the Mavs GM, but generally speaking you want owners to be hands off after hiring good people who actually understand the NBA.

Micky Arison, the owner of Miami, I would say is a great owner because he hired Pat Riley, who in turn found guys like Spoelstra, and has had a very successful franchise since the late 1990s that are competitive almost every single year. The decision to make Riley President with complete control over the Heat management in 1995 changed that franchise for three decades.

The Holt family for the Spurs have also been great and have been generally hands off, leaving decisions to RC Buford, Wright and Pops.

[walk with me]

By far. Ownership shouldn’t be solely measured by team success.
balmer is willing to spend money (lots of it), he empowers his entire staff, hes super passionate, he doesn’t get in the way of basketball decision making. He checks all the boxes.

[CS707]

By far. Ownership shouldn’t be solely measured by team success.
balmer is willing to spend money (lots of it), he empowers his entire staff, hes super passionate, he doesn’t get in the way of basketball decision making. He checks all the boxes.

How is he any better than Lacob, for example. Not that I think Lacob is "the best", but he checks all the same boxes. For the most part, I think there are good owners (will spend, have a good balance of involvement vs. hands off, etc.) and bad owners.

[DavidSterned]

I like him but let's not act like the Clippers don't carry a huge natural recruiting advantage just by virtue of being in L.A.

It's just a testament to Donald Sterling 's awfulness that they took so long to tap into that.

[kenwood3333]

You think players go to the Clippers because of the owner? not because of his deep pocket?