Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer remains a huge believer in his team, despite losing some of their best players this summer via free agency.
Speaking in an interview session after revealing the Halo Board inside the newly built Intuit Dome, the former Microsoft CEO said he still expects the Los Angeles Clippers to compete in the ultra-tough Western Conference, even without Paul George and Russell Westbrook.
“I think we’re going to be a very, very good team,” Ballmer said via ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk. “We’re going to contend. We’ll see how far it takes us. There’s a lot of good teams in the West, let alone you’ve got the Celtics, etc. in the East. But there’s a lot of good teams. I think we are one of them, and if we stay healthy, if we play well, I think every team’s got to get a little bit of luck.
The Los Angeles Clippers lost Paul George, Mason Plumlee, Daniel Theis, and Russell Westbrook but added Mo Bamba, Nicolas Batum, Derrick Jones Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., and Kris Dunn.
Kawhi Leonard and James Harden will continue to lead the way after the former signed a three-year, $152.4 million extension in January and the latter signed a two-year, $70 million contract.
Steve Ballmer reacts to Paul George leaving the Los Angeles Clippers
While Paul George has taken shots at the Los Angeles Clippers lately, Steve Ballmer is taking the high road and wished the nine-time NBA All-Star all the best.
“I love Paul,” Ballmer said. “Let’s start with Paul as a human being. Paul is a great human being, and I’ve really enjoyed my opportunity to get to know Paul’s family. So on a personal level, I hated it. I hated it.”
“He wanted to go, and I respect him for that. Basketball players don’t have that many years in their lives to really make money, etc. I wish he was here, and I wish him well,” he added.
