NBA Team Owners Mark Cuban And Dan Gilbert Offer Advice To Steve Ballmer

This week, at TechCrunch Disrupt SF, both Mark Cuban and Dan Gilbert stopped by for on-stage interviews. In addition to giving advice on building businesses and championing Detroit, the two outspoken NBA owners had a bit of advice for Steve Ballmer, the new owner of the LA Clippers.

Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, advised Ballmer to simply be himself. He said, jokingly, Ballmer shouldn’t be so shy. He also pointed out that being an NBA team owner is much more public than running even a public company such as Microsoft, adding, “there isn’t 20 beat reporters that have to write something [about a public company] everyday,” Cuban said.

He said that it will be interesting to watch Steve Ballmer on the sideline, whether he will become aware of the camera.

Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, noted Ballmer’s a passionate guy, saying “he may make Mark Cuban look like the Golden State Warriors’ owner Joe Lacob.” Gilbert added that he thinks Ballmer’s passion will be great league and the Clippers.

When asked if the Cavs will win this year, Gilbert professed that he is done making predictions and writing letters in Comic Sans. Instead he simply stated that the Cavs will be good this year.

Cuban concluded by stating that he hopes Ballmer will be crazy to give Cuban a little sidekick to point at.

“To take a little heat off you?” I asked.

“No, I don’t give a shit,” Cuban said, laughing. “It’s been 15 years and you haven’t seen me mellow or slow. If you don’t like it, that’s your problem.”

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