AROUND the NBA:

[KillerLeft]

Seeing/hearing in multiple places that the group/body with the power to appeal this have already decided not to, meaning that the CBA arbitration process won't come into play. Balmer will have to go to court in real life if he wants to fight it.

No idea if that's true, but that's what people are saying.

[Mavs2021]

I don’t think the player should/would get a big punishment even if he knew or initiated it.

It’s like when your kids ask you for something stupid.

It’s the adults responsibility to say no. The Lakers said no.

So Kawhi is a child?

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Did I see this coming? Not at all. Do I think this is definitely the final word? Not at all. (Could I be wrong on that? Sure.)

IIUC, a ruling like this only sticks if it survives arbitration hearing (and any appeal) because it's a CBA-defined process. (Violating the CBA is a line the NBA would not want to cross, no matter what.) The relative harshness of Silver's ruling would seem to indicate it was not an agreed-upon settlement, which means that hearing process is still ahead. Such a hearing would NOT be open to the public.

OTOH there isn't really a scorched-earth option for Ballmer to somehow obliterate the NBA for this finding. His only venue is that arbitration, where the best he can hope for is to reduce or eliminate the penalties imposed. Should be interesting drama ahead.

I'm sure Ballmer will have something to say in response. It should shed a lot of light on where we go from here. EDITED TO ADD - In a statement, the Clippers said “we vehemently reject the NBA’s findings,” adding that, “We intend to vigorously challenge these findings and penalties through every avenue available to us and look forward to an ethical and impartial arbitration process.”

I think this is a million miles from final.

Baller already said, "See ya in court" He continues to  vehemently deny any wrong doing.

[Reunion Mav]

I think by far the biggest news from this is the message Silver chose to send after the very significant investigation. He wants all teams to know they really have to follow this very important rule.

He knows probably the listed punishment might get reduced. That is kind of a given. But, the message sent today will not change. It is very much Stern like. I like it

Ballmer may be above the law with his resources but….he cannot erase this message.

[cow]

That punishment is crazy, incredibly surprising, and well deserved.  I do think they should space out the docked picks though or just move them to the end of the first round. That could hamstring the franchise for a decade.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

So Kawhi is a child?

The Clippers were the ones with the power to circumvent the cap.

Look at the Astros cheating scandal. The players didn't get punished. I dont think the child analogy is too far off. Management is supposed to be the grown ups.

[Jym]

They HAD to come in with a hard ruling
Would have been an absolute free-for-all if they just got a slap on the wrist

[Reunion Mav]

I think by far the biggest news from this is the message Silver chose to send after the very significant investigation. He wants all teams to know they really have to follow this very important rule.

He knows probably the listed punishment might get reduced. That is kind of a given. But, the message sent today will not change. It is very much Stern like. I like it

Ballmer may be above the law with his resources but….he cannot erase this message.

[Moviemavguy]

As people are discussing, I'm sure Kawhi full cooperated to get the slap on the wrist that he did which is why I don't think the Clippers have much of a prayer in court.

[BoredAssistant]

Report_of_Independent_Investigators_Concerning_the_LA_Clippers_and_Kawhi_Leonard.pdf
   

[Scott41theMavs]

Report_of_Independent_Investigators_Concerning_the_LA_Clippers_and_Kawhi_Leonard.pdf

I actually read that whole thing. Ballmer can either provide documentation that proves that each of the investigators' assertions are false, or his ass is grass.

[khaled1987]

I never thought Silver will have the guts to go this harsh. Makes sense why it took so long now. Great for the league

Silver is an employee rather than an employer, despite the power he has, this is an important distinction. 

The salary cap rules is there for the owners above anything, it forces them to stop spending at some point without being guilty of cheapness, under the competitiveness headline. 

What Ballmer did hurts the owners, because now every player could look around and ask for some off the table compensation.  

This ruling IMO is under the board of governor pressure, a league of billionaires who don't want the pandora box to be opened. 

This isn't about Silver or Ballmer, it is about a league of folks who controls billions who wants protection of their business model and the advantage those rules bring. 

This is why I don't see Ballmer challenging that, if it was Silver he would fought it easily, but not with this group of owners, who literally once forced the sale of the franchise.