Hoops Habit
Fansided

Los Angeles Clippers: Is Steve Ballmer The Man With The Golden Check?

By Adam McGee

Feb 13, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling and wife Rochelle Sterling (Shelly Sterling) react during the game against the Houston Rockets at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling and wife Rochelle Sterling (Shelly Sterling) react during the game against the Houston Rockets at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next

Winning With Dignity

May 27, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; San Antonio Spurs chairman Peter Holt (middle) celebrates with point guard Tony Parker (right) in the locker room after game four of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. The Spurs won 93-86. Mandatory Credit: Rogelio V. Solis/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
May 27, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; San Antonio Spurs chairman Peter Holt (middle) celebrates with point guard Tony Parker (right) in the locker room after game four of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. The Spurs won 93-86. Mandatory Credit: Rogelio V. Solis/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports /

The most important thing that Clippers fans should hope for in their new owner is an insatiable desire to win. The Clippers are a team that are built to win already, and with guys like Doc Rivers, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul in the trenches, it may not be too long until they do.

If Ballmer can recognize this and support it, they’ll have a chance to succeed very quickly. In the Clippers dream scenario where that does transpire, there’s another factor that would have to be taken into account.

The Clippers need an owner who’s going to act with dignity in victory, and also in defeat. As it has become rarer, there’s not a lot better in sports than the sight of a proud and humble owner that allows their team to take care of their own business, and eventually reaps the rewards.

No man currently in the NBA personifies this better than Peter Holt, the owner of the San Antonio Spurs. Although it can be tough with frequent media scrutiny, Holt does a great job of keeping his own counsel. He rarely, if ever, makes comments about team affairs, and when he does emerge into the spotlight every few years, it’s usually to warmly embrace his players as they collect another trophy.

Considering the circumstances of the Clippers acrimonious split with Sterling, the organization could do with a more low key owner who wants nothing less than to cause a distraction for their players.

Whether Ballmer can develop into that type of guy in an ownership role, will only be revealed over time.

Home/LA Clippers