Steve Ballmer bounced out to center stage, punching his fist in the air and soaking up roars from a gathering of Clippers’ season ticket holders and fans. “Let me be clear,” the team’s owner proclaimed in a booming voice. “I’m fired up tonight.”
The event Wednesday night at Novo at L.A. Live was billed as “The Playbook,” a conversation with Lawrence Frank — the Clippers’ president of basketball operations — and icon Jerry West, a team consultant. Ballmer made it feel more like a pep rally crossed with a tent revival, complete with devout responses from the Clippers faithful.