Steve Ballmer And The Clippers Are Giving Fans $10,000 Just To Go To Games And Be A Fan
When it comes to sporting events, I live by one general rule. Show up as early as you possibly can, and don't even think about leaving until the clock hits 0.0. Doesn't matter the score, I'm staying until the final buzzer. I love getting to the arena early, sometimes making my way to the seats when there are over 25+ minutes left on the clock for warmups just to take it all in. If it's a big game? Forget about it. I like watching pros go through their routines, and sometimes you can sneak down close to watch because no one is really around yet. I'm also willing to consider the Jewish side of me that paid good money for those tickets, so you're damn sure I'm going to get my money's worth. This isn't hyperbole either. I'm a huge "get there early" guy. Even Summer League was no exception
When it comes to leaving early, no chance. I've had many a debate with Papa Greenie over the years about leaving the Celts early in the 90s when they couldn't win 20 games to save their lives and got killed every night because we had to drive from Boston back to Worcester on a school night, but I never caved. I think part of my thinking with that also comes from my mom leaving my 8th grade basketball game early to go start dinner and she missed the only game winner I've ever had, but that's for a therapist to figure out.
Long story short, I love this move by Steve Ballmer and the Clippers. Say what you want, but 10K is 10K (prob before taxes) and all you have to do is show up early and stay throughout a game? Sold. Sure, you could see this as the Clippers having to pay their fans in order to get them to attend their games which is certainly true to some extent. You don't see the Lakers having to pay people 10K just to go to games but it's hard out there for the Clippers in that city so I say who gives a shit. You think Steve Ballmer does? Absolutely not. He's got money to burn and if word spreads that you could win 10k just by being a fan of the Clippers then that's what I call Grade A Marketing. It's about putting asses in seats and nothing does that better than giving away money. You know that feeling you get when you're at a game and there's some sort of promotion for like a free burrito or something and they start listing the section/row? Great feeling. Who doesn't love a free burrito? Well now imagine that was for 10 thousand dollars. What a feeling that must have been, and as someone who has attended basically every sporting event I've ever been to early, I find myself very jealous.
Meanwhile, those in attendance are witnessing a pretty fucking awesome Paul George season so I just want to hit on that before we leave this blog. With no Kawhi, Paul George has been playing at an MVP level for the 7-4 Clippers, a team that has currently won 6 in a row. He was once again awesome against the Heat last night
and is currently averaging 26/8/5 on 45/36% splits. He has a career high in rebounds, assists, and steals. Pair that with the second most points per game outside of his 2018 OKC season, the third most efficient start to his career and he's 4th in the most recent NBA MVP rankings. Basically, he's been a monster to start the year. Going to see George play is worth it by itself, but now you have the chance to also win 10k. That's enough of a reason for anyone in LA to just throw on a Clippers t-shirt and go to games. Something tells me Ballmer would lose his shit if he found out they actually chose a Lakers fan for that 10K, and I think all of us on the internet deserve to see that reaction happen on camera.