Steve Ballmer is Evil

Reportedly Kawhi Leonard had a $28 million No-Show Job to go along with his Clippers salary and I have thoughts.

Pablo Torre reports that Kawhi Leonard has a $28 million endorsement deal for a "no show" job with a fraudulent tree-planting company supposedly funded by Los Angeles Clippers owner and former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Microsoft is relevant in this situation because that's where Ballmer made all his money and he is by far the richest owner in the NBA.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- The winners and losers in Kawhi Leonard choosing the Clippers and bringing Paul George along with him.

- Very cool Bill Doherty photo of an osprey catching its prey.

- If they bet on nuclear instead of renewables then California and Germany would have 100% clean power today. Discouraging how little we tend to learn from their mistakes.

- Wishing a speedy recovery to Tedy Bruschi. Knowing the symptoms of a stroke could save your life.

- Interesting - Trump plans Executive Order to lower drug prices. America should hold "most favored nation" status within all agreements and markets.

- Nice job Mayor Walsh. Nice job.

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

The first day of NBA free agency was as exciting and crazy as expected. KD and Kyrie to Brooklyn, Jimmy Butler to Miami, Al Horford to Philly, and Kemba to Boston were the major dominoes to fall. Now the NBA world awaits for Kawhi Leonard's decision,... Reminder - if you are looking for some summer reading here's Naval Ravikant's recommended reading list... "What can be added to the happiness of the man who is in health, who is out of debt, and has a clear conscience." - Adam Smith... 80% of all insects live in the jungle. Ergo - I will never live in the jungle... Aggressive Prophesies would be a good name for a sports betting site... As far as I'm concerned the big unanswered question from the 2016 election is did John Podesta ever find those discount Viagra pills he was looking for when he fell for the Russian phishing scam?... Frisky Biscuits would be a good name for a band or a fantasy football team... The big surprise for me on the first day of NBA free agency is that neither the Lakers nor Clippers made a major splash. For the past nine months we've been reading about how much NBA players want to play in Los Angeles and then nothing. Despite both teams having at least one max cap slot available... Final reminder - Joe Biden is an anagram for "I need job"...

Boston Celtics Thoughts

The Boston Bruins are just 6 wins away from their 7th Stanley Cup but I can't help stop thinking about the Boston Celtics.

Tonight we'll find out if Boston has 3 or 4 first round picks in the 2019 NBA Draft. And more importantly, where that 3rd and possibly 4th pick would be in the order.

Best case the Celtics will get the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th pick. Worst case they will have two picks in the teens and 2 picks in the 20's (20 and 22 to be exact). As far as worst cases go - many teams would love to have Boston's worst case scenario. Plus there's a lot of time between tonight and the June 20th draft - plenty of time for Danny Ainge to try and work some magic.

Most of the oxygen in any Celtics discussion is still getting used up with the Kyrie Irving will he stay or will he go back and forth. After reading an article like this I honestly am leaning toward the hope he leaves camp.  I do want to stress that the trade for Irving was absolutely worth it. Worst case Boston traded Collin Sexton (the 8th pick in the 2018 draft via New Jersey's pick) for two seasons of Kyrie Irving. Best case Irving stays and combined with Anthony Davis they bring another banner to Boston. I'd do that trade again in a heartbeat.

Even if Irving leaves Boston is still in great shape. Toronto plays Milwaukee for the right to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA finals but once the season ends and Kawhi Leonard leaves as a free agent the team will be left in rebuilding mode. Philadelphia? Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris and JJ Reddick are all free agents. Chances are they lose at least 1 out of 3 (and maybe all 3). If that happens will the rest of the roster be enticing for another free agent to choose Philly? I'd take Boston's core over Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid every day (even without Kyrie).

However, having said all that, as long as Milwaukee has Giannis they remain the Beast of the East.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Lean into the pain. Article has been around for a while but it's new to me. And great advice!

- This was very cool by the Arizona Cardinals

- What happens with Kawhi Leonard to me is more interesting than where LeBron chooses to play next season.

-  Rest in peace Marine

- Wrong! The greatest one-hit wonder was written by Francis Scott Key

- This is why Chris Sale is so tough to hit.

- Love Dennis Eckersley