If there was ever an indication that Steve Ballmer is so far removed from his days of being Microsoft CEO, it's what transpired last night.
During halftime at the Los Angeles Clippers' home game against the Brooklyn Nets, the Clippers owner stepped onto the court at Staples Center and introduced the team's new mascot — Chuck the California Condor.
Although the big bird danced, flipped and dunked off a trampoline, the Staples Center crowd offered up a rather mundane response.
That's when Ballmer suddenly announced to the crowd that if he could successfully dunk — with the help of a trampoline — every fan in the house would receive a free pair of red Converse sneakers. Suddenly, fans at the Staples Center woke up — yes, free sneakers will do that — cheering on their beloved owner to throw the dunk down.
Taking a huge step from the foul line, Ballmer leapt onto the trampoline and slammed home a two-handed jam to the crowd's delight.
Now, just think to yourself for a second ... which NBA owner do you know that would ever dunk off a trampoline during a halftime show?
Steve Ballmer DUNK ALERT!!!
The @LAClippers owner caught some SERIOUS air tonight!
(via @FoxSportsWest)https://t.co/XDB4PuOSdk— FOX Sports: Hoops (@HoopsonFOX) March 1, 2016
The team's thoughts about that?
"In today's world, they're going to make fun of it for six months and then they're going to get over it," Clippers coach Doc Rivers told ESPN.
He added: "I was worried about him. I know he was working on it. He's a brilliant guy, and when he told me he was doing it, I had to question it."
Clippers star point guard Chris Paul's reaction?
"I want to see how many other owners could do that," Paul told ESPN. "Put them out there on All-Star Saturday night."
It just goes to show that, while Chuck the California Condor is OK, Ballmer is the team's real mascot and has been since he purchased the Clippers with a winning bid of $2 billion back in May 2014.
He's a staple at home games, whether he's wildly reacting to one of Lob City's alley-oops, having an out-of-body experience during a Fergie performance or being put on an emotional roller coaster over the Clippers' playoff game.
The most entertaining owner in sports?
