Pablo Torre: Kawhi/Clippers/Ballmer/Aspiration Thread (part 2)

[inonba]

Other teams (reportedly at least Toronto and the Lakers) reported Dennis/Kawhi’s ask for extra benefits. They chose not to cheat while the Clippers did cheat. They’re guilty and need to be punished.

How do you know that the Lakers immediately rejected Uncle Dennis's demands? Maybe they just had sour grapes because Ballmer outbid them.

How do you know that Dennis did not approach other teams, received offers and still found Ballmer's deal to be the best. Why did Toronto or the Lakers not report this infraction to Silver themselves and file a complaint? Could it be because this is happening more than we think?

In fact, how do you know that Ballmer's offer was even the best offered? Kawhi had many other demands in addition to the Aspiration deal.

Please explain exactly how can the Clippers outbid Toronto and the Lakers in Legal means?

It's all nonsense. The answer is they can't, cap space, they did, no, because he signed. I got fed up replying, because at this point, he's just making **** up.

[Roscoe Sheed]

Kawhi sure has a funny way of showing that he really wants to play ball.

he does- by rehabbing from serious knee injuries (torn ACL) and managing a degenerative knee condition. He could just retire you know.

Where's the money in that?

the point I'm making is that everybody who interacts with him says he is a very hard worker who takes rehab and training very seriously- must take significant commitment and love for the game.

[The Master]

How do you know that the Lakers immediately rejected Uncle Dennis's demands? Maybe they just had sour grapes because Ballmer outbid them.

How do you know that Dennis did not approach other teams, received offers and still found Ballmer's deal to be the best. Why did Toronto or the Lakers not report this infraction to Silver themselves and file a complaint? Could it be because this is happening more than we think?

In fact, how do you know that Ballmer's offer was even the best offered? Kawhi had many other demands in addition to the Aspiration deal.

It's like a situation where sprinter X is caught on doping and your arguments are:

- 'you don't know if sprinters Y and Z didn't dope as well!!!'
- 'you don't know if sprinter X wouldn't have won even if he hadn't doped!!!'

It doesn't work like that.

Also, we have no information about the Lakers and the Raptors going with 'illegal' route in the 2019 free agency, in contrary, there were reports that the Lakers dismissed Kawhi camp's demands / Raptors wanted to go with a legal route and yet that wasn't enough.

It's pure contrarianism from you at this point.

ALSO, the fact that you don't know what was an impact of illegal agreements between the Clippers and Kawhi isn't a good defense strategy - the fact that you can have doubts is on its own enough for severe punishment. Because you shouldn't have had any doubts.

[levon]

he does- by rehabbing from serious knee injuries (torn ACL) and managing a degenerative knee condition. He could just retire you know.

Where's the money in that?

the point I'm making is that everybody who interacts with him says he is a very hard worker who takes rehab and training very seriously- must take significant commitment and love for the game.

He loves the game so much he cheats it.

[Enso]

How long is this gonna drag

[Kurtz]

he does- by rehabbing from serious knee injuries (torn ACL) and managing a degenerative knee condition. He could just retire you know.

Where's the money in that?

the point I'm making is that everybody who interacts with him says he is a very hard worker who takes rehab and training very seriously- must take significant commitment and love for the game.

"Everybody who interacts with him" - that's what, 2-3 people?

[Roscoe Sheed]

Where's the money in that?

the point I'm making is that everybody who interacts with him says he is a very hard worker who takes rehab and training very seriously- must take significant commitment and love for the game.

"Everybody who interacts with him" - that's what, 2-3 people?

he interacts with his teammates- Pat Beverley stated he was one of the hardest workers he's ever encountered

[inonba]

Watch on YouTube

Some more insight to 2019 free agency.

[G R E Y]

Watch on YouTube

Some more insight to 2019 free agency.

Outstanding clarity and fairness.

Clips/Ballmer/KL/DRA are dead to rights. Each one.

Arthur: KL was in meetings when DR pitched illegal demands. Wow. Directly implicated. (I think it's so egotistical to insist on no work for money, and arrogant to repeat exact demands to multiple teams.) Agent Frankel nowhere to be found. To Raps it was presented *as an offer to beat*, so Clips already knew what they had to deliver at least two years before this deal they got caught making and all its machinations we know of so far were accidentally revealed.

Asked for part in Leafs ownership elbows up, eh buddy? Big hockey fans, eh?

KL asked Tor team reps whether they thought he could get another max contract after that upcoming one with worries about his knee condition a primary factor. Huh.

*Spurs. Were. Right.* In the diagnosis, in the not bending over to behind the scenes demands. What's the first words that come to mind about 'rhymes with #2?' I foresee 'vindicated' chants at our arena.

Tom makes a good point - what if Clips trade all their best picks assets to get a quality player back in anticipation of getting around a picks fine?

Bruce makes a good point - can punish also with moving AS game to crypto.com.

It's so damning and inexcusable even with playing devil's advocate that basically it boils down to Silver channeling his inner David Stern BDE and laying down the law's hammer. (Silver distancing himself, not knowing anything about Aspiration then clarifying is not the best look. What did he know? When did he know it? Has to step up and be definitive and lead well here.)

I agree that this is a defining moment in Silver's commish career.

p.s. what is that guy Mayes even doing there? Guy mostly nods along. What a gig lol

[Ruma85]

Watch on YouTube

Some more insight to 2019 free agency.

Outstanding clarity and fairness.

Clips/Ballmer/KL/DRA are dead to rights. Each one.

Arthur: KL was in meetings when DR pitched illegal demands. Wow. Directly implicated. (I think it's so egotistical to insist on no work for money, and arrogant to repeat exact demands to multiple teams.) Agent Frankel nowhere to be found. To Raps it was presented *as an offer to beat*, so Clips already knew what they had to deliver at least two years before this deal they got caught making and all its machinations we know of so far were accidentally revealed.

Asked for part in Leafs ownership elbows up, eh buddy? Big hockey fans, eh?

KL asked Tor team reps whether they thought he could get another max contract after that upcoming one with worries about his knee condition a primary factor. Huh.

*Spurs. Were. Right.* In the diagnosis, in the not bending over to behind the scenes demands. What's the first words that come to mind about 'rhymes with #2?' I foresee 'vindicated' chants at our arena.

Tom makes a good point - what if Clips trade all their best picks assets to get a quality player back in anticipation of getting around a picks fine?

Bruce makes a good point - can punish also with moving AS game to crypto.com.

It's so damning and inexcusable even with playing devil's advocate that basically it boils down to Silver channeling his inner David Stern BDE and laying down the law's hammer. (Silver distancing himself, not knowing anything about Aspiration then clarifying is not the best look. What did he know? When did he know it? Has to step up and be definitive and lead well here.)

I agree that this is a defining moment in Silver's commish career.

p.s. what is that guy Mayes even doing there? Guy mostly nods along. What a gig lol

Still has to be proven, I'm quite interested how this will turn out.

[G R E Y]

Watch on YouTube

Some more insight to 2019 free agency.

Outstanding clarity and fairness.

Clips/Ballmer/KL/DRA are dead to rights. Each one.

Arthur: KL was in meetings when DR pitched illegal demands. Wow. Directly implicated. (I think it's so egotistical to insist on no work for money, and arrogant to repeat exact demands to multiple teams.) Agent Frankel nowhere to be found. To Raps it was presented *as an offer to beat*, so Clips already knew what they had to deliver at least two years before this deal they got caught making and all its machinations we know of so far were accidentally revealed.

Asked for part in Leafs ownership elbows up, eh buddy? Big hockey fans, eh?

KL asked Tor team reps whether they thought he could get another max contract after that upcoming one with worries about his knee condition a primary factor. Huh.

*Spurs. Were. Right.* In the diagnosis, in the not bending over to behind the scenes demands. What's the first words that come to mind about 'rhymes with #2?' I foresee 'vindicated' chants at our arena.

Tom makes a good point - what if Clips trade all their best picks assets to get a quality player back in anticipation of getting around a picks fine?

Bruce makes a good point - can punish also with moving AS game to crypto.com.

It's so damning and inexcusable even with playing devil's advocate that basically it boils down to Silver channeling his inner David Stern BDE and laying down the law's hammer. (Silver distancing himself, not knowing anything about Aspiration then clarifying is not the best look. What did he know? When did he know it? Has to step up and be definitive and lead well here.)

I agree that this is a defining moment in Silver's commish career.

p.s. what is that guy Mayes even doing there? Guy mostly nods along. What a gig lol

Still has to be proven, I'm quite interested how this will turn out.

[Ruma85]

Outstanding clarity and fairness.

Clips/Ballmer/KL/DRA are dead to rights. Each one.

Arthur: KL was in meetings when DR pitched illegal demands. Wow. Directly implicated. (I think it's so egotistical to insist on no work for money, and arrogant to repeat exact demands to multiple teams.) Agent Frankel nowhere to be found. To Raps it was presented *as an offer to beat*, so Clips already knew what they had to deliver at least two years before this deal they got caught making and all its machinations we know of so far were accidentally revealed.

Asked for part in Leafs ownership elbows up, eh buddy? Big hockey fans, eh?

KL asked Tor team reps whether they thought he could get another max contract after that upcoming one with worries about his knee condition a primary factor. Huh.

*Spurs. Were. Right.* In the diagnosis, in the not bending over to behind the scenes demands. What's the first words that come to mind about 'rhymes with #2?' I foresee 'vindicated' chants at our arena.

Tom makes a good point - what if Clips trade all their best picks assets to get a quality player back in anticipation of getting around a picks fine?

Bruce makes a good point - can punish also with moving AS game to crypto.com.

It's so damning and inexcusable even with playing devil's advocate that basically it boils down to Silver channeling his inner David Stern BDE and laying down the law's hammer. (Silver distancing himself, not knowing anything about Aspiration then clarifying is not the best look. What did he know? When did he know it? Has to step up and be definitive and lead well here.)

I agree that this is a defining moment in Silver's commish career.

p.s. what is that guy Mayes even doing there? Guy mostly nods along. What a gig lol

Still has to be proven, I'm quite interested how this will turn out.

?? Magic.

[G R E Y]

Still has to be proven, I'm quite interested how this will turn out.

?? Magic.

It's supposed to be a gif of a winking Magic lol I'll fix it...

[Mavrelous]

Not sure if mentioned, but there was a hearing on Sep 18th, the chapter 7 trustee pressed about Kawhi's deal and the CRO (chief restructuring officer) denied any knowledge of it (it's his job to know), and they asked the CLO (one of Pablo's sources) and he said that he had no knowledge of why the contract was signed.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1NrOKTGsGBHaKMIIWhBbDE?si=c5f680abaa244557

[inonba]

Not sure if mentioned, but there was a hearing on Sep 18th, the chapter 7 trustee pressed about Kawhi's deal and the CRO (chief restructuring officer) denied any knowledge of it (it's his job to know), and they asked the CLO (once of Pablo's sources) and he said that he had no knowledge of why the contract was signed.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1NrOKTGsGBHaKMIIWhBbDE?si=c5f680abaa244557

Which means....Ballmer lied. The email about Aspiration requesting a meeting with Kawhi to speak about endorsements......manufactured.

The entire endorsement deal was essentially through one guy. Why would that one person go behind everyone at Aspiration to request a endorsement deal with Kawhi only to shove it down their throats later? This would only make sense if Ballmer was the one who booked the whole deal.

Not only is deniability gone, we've entered the realm of obstruction of justice if this was a criminal proceeding.

[inonba]

Watch on YouTube

Looks like Kawhi created 16 LLCs.

Worth noting:
KL2 Content: Registered December 28, 2023.
KL2 RIC Real Estate: Registered January 2, 2024.
Another unnamed LLC was also registered on January 2, 2024

KL2 Content was created after Aspiration stop making payment. "Content" likely created to manage and monetize content, including media, and public appearances (no show endorsement?). If Kawhi and uncle Dennis are as greedy as I think they are, what are the chances there's a second company that took over and paid Kawhi for another no show contract? Considering Aspiration owed him 7 million, and his 20 million stock options went to 0, there's 27 million that still needed to be paid out.

Kawhi signed his latest contract extension with the Clippers on January 10, 2024. Maybe Ballmer did follow through with the mansion and jet.

[Sixers in 4]

Watch on YouTube

Some more insight to 2019 free agency.

Outstanding clarity and fairness.

Clips/Ballmer/KL/DRA are dead to rights. Each one.

Arthur: KL was in meetings when DR pitched illegal demands. Wow. Directly implicated. (I think it's so egotistical to insist on no work for money, and arrogant to repeat exact demands to multiple teams.) Agent Frankel nowhere to be found. To Raps it was presented *as an offer to beat*, so Clips already knew what they had to deliver at least two years before this deal they got caught making and all its machinations we know of so far were accidentally revealed.

Asked for part in Leafs ownership elbows up, eh buddy? Big hockey fans, eh?

KL asked Tor team reps whether they thought he could get another max contract after that upcoming one with worries about his knee condition a primary factor. Huh.

*Spurs. Were. Right.* In the diagnosis, in the not bending over to behind the scenes demands. What's the first words that come to mind about 'rhymes with #2?' I foresee 'vindicated' chants at our arena.

Tom makes a good point - what if Clips trade all their best picks assets to get a quality player back in anticipation of getting around a picks fine?

Bruce makes a good point - can punish also with moving AS game to crypto.com.

It's so damning and inexcusable even with playing devil's advocate that basically it boils down to Silver channeling his inner David Stern BDE and laying down the law's hammer. (Silver distancing himself, not knowing anything about Aspiration then clarifying is not the best look. What did he know? When did he know it? Has to step up and be definitive and lead well here.)

I agree that this is a defining moment in Silver's commish career.

p.s. what is that guy Mayes even doing there? Guy mostly nods along. What a gig lol

The Stepien Rule only governs trades of draft picks, not league discipline. So Silver can do whatever he wants plus the commissioner can veto trades if he wants.

He can also go as far into the future as he wants

[Sixers in 4]

Also far be it for me to stand up for Raptor fans but the mere fact that Kawhi and Dennis asked for those things from not only the Raptors but also the Lakers shows that Kawhi to the Clippers was never a done deal.

Clippertown saying he was always going to leave Toronto is bullshine. There is every indication kawhi was going to the highest bidder and that highest bidder should have been Toronto not to mention if he loved LA and wanted to win he would have went to the Lakers.

[TheGeneral99]

Also far be it for me to stand up for Raptor fans but the mere fact that Kawhi and Dennis asked for those things from not only the Raptors but also the Lakers shows that Kawhi to the Clippers was never a done deal.

Clippertown saying he was always going to leave Toronto is bullshine. There is every indication kawhi was going to the highest bidder and that highest bidder should have been Toronto not to mention if he loved LA and wanted to win he would have went to the Lakers.

He wanted to play with George and George admitted on his podcast they were close to going to Toronto.

Clippers just happened to be the team willing to give up their young star and a crap load of 1sts. Masai was not willing to part with Fred and Siakam.

[G R E Y]

Watch on YouTube

Some more insight to 2019 free agency.

Outstanding clarity and fairness.

Clips/Ballmer/KL/DRA are dead to rights. Each one.

Arthur: KL was in meetings when DR pitched illegal demands. Wow. Directly implicated. (I think it's so egotistical to insist on no work for money, and arrogant to repeat exact demands to multiple teams.) Agent Frankel nowhere to be found. To Raps it was presented *as an offer to beat*, so Clips already knew what they had to deliver at least two years before this deal they got caught making and all its machinations we know of so far were accidentally revealed.

Asked for part in Leafs ownership elbows up, eh buddy? Big hockey fans, eh?

KL asked Tor team reps whether they thought he could get another max contract after that upcoming one with worries about his knee condition a primary factor. Huh.

*Spurs. Were. Right.* In the diagnosis, in the not bending over to behind the scenes demands. What's the first words that come to mind about 'rhymes with #2?' I foresee 'vindicated' chants at our arena.

Tom makes a good point - what if Clips trade all their best picks assets to get a quality player back in anticipation of getting around a picks fine?

Bruce makes a good point - can punish also with moving AS game to crypto.com.

It's so damning and inexcusable even with playing devil's advocate that basically it boils down to Silver channeling his inner David Stern BDE and laying down the law's hammer. (Silver distancing himself, not knowing anything about Aspiration then clarifying is not the best look. What did he know? When did he know it? Has to step up and be definitive and lead well here.)

I agree that this is a defining moment in Silver's commish career.

p.s. what is that guy Mayes even doing there? Guy mostly nods along. What a gig lol

The Stepien Rule only governs trades of draft picks, not league discipline. So Silver can do whatever he wants plus the commissioner can veto trades if he wants.

He can also go as far into the future as he wants

All true, but if it's innocent until proven guilty, can a vetoed trade/putting a hold on using picks before investigation is done not be seen as presumed guilt? Then again, if Clips are trying to move all their best picks, it may be perceived as anticipating punishment ie/know they're guilty. But if a player, the example they used was Zion, were to be acquired with said picks, it would make for a complex dynamic.

All leads back to Silver willingness to be firm and resolute.