Former NBA star Blake Griffin recalled an uncomfortable interaction involving Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, revealing that his agent contacted him about shaking Ballmer’s hand before a game.
Speaking with Pablo Torre, Griffin explained that the situation unfolded during his usual pregame routine when he ran past Ballmer without acknowledging him.
“I finished with my free throws. I swear on everything, I don’t see him at first. I shake my coach’s hand, which I always did. And then I would kind of take some steps. I would kind of make sure it’s clear that I’m not going to truck anybody…”
Griffin said he noticed Ballmer only after beginning to run toward the locker room and decided against interrupting his routine.
“And I took off and I see him, and I’m like, split second, like, ‘I’m not stopping. I’ve never stopped for anyone. Why would I stop now?’”
The former Clippers forward initially thought little of the encounter. However, shortly afterward, he received an unexpected message from his agent.
“And I didn’t think that much of it. And I get to the locker room and I’m continuing my routine. And I get a text from my agent, and he’s like, ‘Hey, can Blake go up and shake Steve’s hand before the tip?’”
Griffin suggested that the request was primarily intended to improve public perception following his controversial departure from the Clippers.
“This is all for the appearance. And I totally get it. There was a little bit of backlash from how the trade went down…”
Griffin was traded by Los Angeles to the Detroit Pistons in January 2018, just months after signing a five-year contract extension with the Clippers.
Reflecting on the situation, Griffin questioned why communication had to take place through his agent rather than directly between him and Ballmer.
“My whole thing, I said it after the game… he has my number. He has every, there’s any avenue to…”
Torre responded by questioning the expectation that Griffin should approach Ballmer simply to create a positive public impression.
“The point that I’m making here is that it’s weird for you to be obligated.”
