"ON AUG. 18, 2014, Steve Ballmer shouted, chest-bumped and high-fived his way through a frenzied crowd of 4,500 fans inside Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. Eminem's "Lose Yourself" thumped overhead. The former Microsoft CEO had just paid a then-record $2 billion for the LA Clippers, at once rescuing the team, the city of Los Angeles and the NBA from one of its darkest eras."
"Eleven years later, Ballmer's biggest and most ambitious bet to deliver that championship -- or even the franchise's first NBA Finals appearance -- has failed on the court, where, during the six seasons since the Clippers' blockbuster 2019 acquisition of superstar Kawhi Leonard, the team has won just three playoff series and Leonard has only played in 42% of their games."
Steve Ballmer purchased the LA Clippers for a then-record $2 billion on Aug. 18, 2014, greeting fans with bold promises and high energy. Ballmer pledged optimism, risk-taking and a drive to win multiple championships over coming decades. He invested substantial resources and sought to build a dynasty after the franchise's troubled prior ownership. The 2019 acquisition of Kawhi Leonard represented a major bet to reach the NBA Finals and secure a title. Over the subsequent six seasons the team managed only three playoff series wins and Leonard appeared in only 42% of games.
Read at ESPN.com
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