Thanks for the research and amalgamation you provide.
After 3 weeks of this scandal, I am still waiting for someone of influence to remind us that Steve Ballmer is and has been all his life a “super salesman”. He’s the guy you roll your eyes at while thinking, “maybe I should believe this guy?”
As a former international investment banker (where truth is easy to hide), there is one cardinal rule: Always answer questions with truth and never go beyond just answering the question. For example, in the Shelbourne interview she asked “Did you propose making the Aspiration investment to pay Kawhi?” The answer he gave is simple: “No”. Imagine if she had followed that up with “Were you ever approached to make an investment of $50 mm in Aspiration and that if you did, this would “solve” your Kawhi problem?” This sort of approach would have taken place in an off the record place like, for example in his car with Dennis Wong. The latter now appears to be the point man here.
This type of reversal of questions is what good reporters do. Is it what good lawyers do? Once again drawing on my professional experience, when you are selling something to a client there are topics that are forbidden going into meetings with them. I am certain the same applies to lawyers investigating this event. So maybe we should doubt along with you any results arising out of the investigation by expensive lawyers.
Good call on quoting Mark Cuban’s response to the Donald Sterling case and comparing it to his comments on Steve Ballmer. Just because you’re rich doesn’t make you smart in everything you choose to do (or comment on).
Oh, and as a Raptos’ fan, I loved your defence of my team and the poker card analogy. (How mant times have I gotten an Ace and a 10, made a bet and then the 5 cards that show up don’t do anything for my great cards?)
"And certainly, if the Clippers were found guilty of such a salary cap crime, justice from the commissioner’s office would be severe. In fact, 29 other owners would demand it.
On that point, let me emphasize: There’s been a supposition out there in some places that maybe the league will go soft on the Clippers, even if they find them guilty of circumvention, because some other teams are doing stuff like this too. Having worked in the league for seven years … no. Actually, (expletive deleted) no.
And yet in the Road Trippin' podcast you referenced, Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye, and Kendrick Perkins all literally laughed at the notion that illegal player payments and incentives were not frequent, common, and widespread in the NBA. They consider "NBA Integrity" an oxymoron. If true, many NBA owners would likely support the creation of a report that whitewashes the situation or be reluctant to back harsh penalties if it shows Clipper malfeasance.
So yes, journalists and fans should carefully parse both the report and Silver's decisions on Ballmer and the Clippers. Your prescription for viewing the report with an eye to it being whitewash or not is very helpful. If it is, my 65 year enthusiasm for the NBA would be greatly diminished.
Great writing, as always, Henry! Knowing how well you've explored the Billionaire-to-NBA pipeline, especially that overseas money, it's good to have you back on the beat, if only tangentially.
As for Cuban, I couldn't believe the defense he proposed was essentially, "Uncle Dennis did it! Blame Uncle Dennis." That was where I wished Pablo had dug a little deeper. But still, I'm sitting there with my popcorn for every new episode 🍿
Thanks for the research and amalgamation you provide.
After 3 weeks of this scandal, I am still waiting for someone of influence to remind us that Steve Ballmer is and has been all his life a “super salesman”. He’s the guy you roll your eyes at while thinking, “maybe I should believe this guy?”
As a former international investment banker (where truth is easy to hide), there is one cardinal rule: Always answer questions with truth and never go beyond just answering the question. For example, in the Shelbourne interview she asked “Did you propose making the Aspiration investment to pay Kawhi?” The answer he gave is simple: “No”. Imagine if she had followed that up with “Were you ever approached to make an investment of $50 mm in Aspiration and that if you did, this would “solve” your Kawhi problem?” This sort of approach would have taken place in an off the record place like, for example in his car with Dennis Wong. The latter now appears to be the point man here.
This type of reversal of questions is what good reporters do. Is it what good lawyers do? Once again drawing on my professional experience, when you are selling something to a client there are topics that are forbidden going into meetings with them. I am certain the same applies to lawyers investigating this event. So maybe we should doubt along with you any results arising out of the investigation by expensive lawyers.
Good call on quoting Mark Cuban’s response to the Donald Sterling case and comparing it to his comments on Steve Ballmer. Just because you’re rich doesn’t make you smart in everything you choose to do (or comment on).
these articles are always so good
Oh, and as a Raptos’ fan, I loved your defence of my team and the poker card analogy. (How mant times have I gotten an Ace and a 10, made a bet and then the 5 cards that show up don’t do anything for my great cards?)
passion has long been the culprit, inspiring foolish behavior from otherwise bright folks
In today's The Athletic, John Hollinger writes,
"And certainly, if the Clippers were found guilty of such a salary cap crime, justice from the commissioner’s office would be severe. In fact, 29 other owners would demand it.
On that point, let me emphasize: There’s been a supposition out there in some places that maybe the league will go soft on the Clippers, even if they find them guilty of circumvention, because some other teams are doing stuff like this too. Having worked in the league for seven years … no. Actually, (expletive deleted) no.
And yet in the Road Trippin' podcast you referenced, Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye, and Kendrick Perkins all literally laughed at the notion that illegal player payments and incentives were not frequent, common, and widespread in the NBA. They consider "NBA Integrity" an oxymoron. If true, many NBA owners would likely support the creation of a report that whitewashes the situation or be reluctant to back harsh penalties if it shows Clipper malfeasance.
So yes, journalists and fans should carefully parse both the report and Silver's decisions on Ballmer and the Clippers. Your prescription for viewing the report with an eye to it being whitewash or not is very helpful. If it is, my 65 year enthusiasm for the NBA would be greatly diminished.
Great writing, as always, Henry! Knowing how well you've explored the Billionaire-to-NBA pipeline, especially that overseas money, it's good to have you back on the beat, if only tangentially.
As for Cuban, I couldn't believe the defense he proposed was essentially, "Uncle Dennis did it! Blame Uncle Dennis." That was where I wished Pablo had dug a little deeper. But still, I'm sitting there with my popcorn for every new episode 🍿