Ballmer with Clippers star Blake Griffin. Photo via L.A. Clippers.
Ballmer with Clippers star Blake Griffin. Photo via L.A. Clippers.

Here’s some friendly words of encouragement from one NBA owner to another.

I hope you suck.

That’s what Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, the outspoken and trash-talking tech billionaire, had to say about former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who bought the L.A. Clippers for $2 billion in May.

Making the remarks at the Business Insider conference, Cuban — not known for a small ego — also noted that he paved the way for the much richer Ballmer.

“Steve can come in and be Steve. I’ve paved the way for him,” Cuban reportedly said. “He’s in a great spot, but I hope he f**** up.”

OK, Steve, now calm down. Don’t toss any chairs around or go “Monkey Boy” all over Cuban’s ass this season.

Actually, we can’t wait to watch the first Clippers-Mavs game, set for January 10th in Los Angeles. The battle of the geek billionaires on the hard court.

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