The Los Angeles Clippers are entering a new era this season after acquiring Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and now they are looking more than ready to face the Lakers in the battle for Los Angeles. The Clippers governor Steve Ballmer was even more excited with the introduction than the players.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are introduced as the newest Clippers. Fun Guy with the New Balance 574 Sport. pic.twitter.com/zzKFLfmUeU
— B/R Kicks (@brkicks) July 25, 2019
“I have these notes but I have to say I’m fired up to be here today,” Ballmer said as his voice kept rising. “Pretty cool! Pretty cool! Most of all, I’m pumped! To say hello as Clippers to Paul and Kawhi. Come on! Come on! Get up! Yeah!”
Los Angeles Clippers owner, Steve Ballmer, got a little fired up as he introduced new players, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, at a press conference https://t.co/IN11Z8czpy pic.twitter.com/2eFI8c8Vlu
— CNN (@CNN) July 25, 2019
Paul George grew up in Palmdale, California, and he couldn’t wait for the opportunity to return to Los Angeles. He grew up a Clippers fan but admitted that the Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was his idol. George also spoke about teaming up with Kawhi Leonard, and how they almost played together with the Indiana Pacers, but the Pacers sent Leonard to the San Antonio Spurs following the 2011 draft.
“I remember I was in Indy when we drafted Kawhi,” George said. “I was a little confused by it because I was the 2-guard and Kawhi was the same position and I was a bit nervous for the competition that was coming. But fast-forward, knowing that the player I am and the player he developed into, I wish we would have kept that pick and we could have [grown] together. … It seems like this was destiny that we were supposed to play together.”
Kawhi Leonard, who also grew up in the Los Angeles area, said that coming to the Clippers was the most attractive destination over returning to Toronto or joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers.
“I grew up a Clippers fan,” said Leonard. “I loved the Clippers as a kid. With Doc [Rivers] being a championship head coach, that is something I wanted, an experienced coach. And the front office is very transparent with me. They want to win. It’s an opportunity for us to build our own and make history. They haven’t been to a Finals and haven’t won a Finals and that was something exciting for me to make my decision.”
