Stephen A. and Pablo Torre Unpack the Kawhi Leonard NBA Scandal
Stephen A. Smith sits down with investigative journalist Pablo Torre to unpack the Kawhi Leonard scandal and the historic punishment handed down to Steve Ballmer and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Pablo explains how his investigation began with a bankruptcy filing, the alleged $66 million in off-the-books payments connected to Kawhi, and the paper trail that exposed the operation. They also discuss Lawrence Frank’s cooperation with the NBA, Dennis Robertson’s ban, Kawhi’s surprisingly light punishment and why Ballmer’s obsession with winning ultimately became his undoing.
Chapters:
00:00 Clippers hit with historic punishment
01:19 Stephen A. welcomes Pablo Torre
02:31 What the penalties mean for Steve Ballmer
03:48 How Pablo’s investigation began
05:07 The bankruptcy filing that opened the case
06:26 The alleged Clippers-Aspiration arrangement
08:19 Why Ballmer was desperate to keep Kawhi
09:31 The alleged $66 million money trail
11:38 The paper trail behind the scandal
13:12 Ballmer’s public denial
14:12 Kawhi’s alleged “no-show” endorsements
15:35 The smoking gun the NBA didn’t address
16:38 Were there additional undisclosed payments?
17:32 Lawrence Frank’s cooperation with the NBA
19:58 Dennis Robertson’s punishment
21:19 Why Kawhi received a light penalty
23:41 Ballmer’s legal team fires back
24:49 Did Kawhi and Lawrence Frank abandon Ballmer?
26:18 How Ballmer trusted the wrong people
27:08 Could Kawhi have been an innocent bystander?
29:33 Stephen A. praises Pablo’s reporting
30:59 Why investigative journalism still matters
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You could learn from him Stephen. He’s not compromised like you!
Just like SAS .. Pablo is a legend
THANK YOU GUYS 🙏
Yall acting like this man has saved lives Clap clap. This doesn’t shift humanity
God bless you Nr. Pablo Torre ❤❤❤
They said Kawhi mad he didn't get suspended too😂😂
Pablo is going to win a few awards for this journalistic work. Absolutely fantastic
Congrats Pablo! Great interview Stephen A
Damn this dudes a hater
People don't learn to dont fuck with billionaires. If i wad pablo I'd hire fbi as private protection just saying
This is peak Pablo.
Awesome job Pablo .. let's go Raptors!
And all this money is rounding error for people like Ballmer…
What teams did the clipper knock out of the playoffs the years they cheated? Do the clippers have to pay them anything? I know there are at least a few teams that were beaten out by the clippers and forced into play in losses and out of the playoffs early. Does Kawai or the clippers pay them too? Do they get the picks from the clippers?
Where did Ballmer come from ? Microsoft chief of what law?
Never expected or saw this in Pablo’s future when I watched him on PTI around the horn and all those other gimmicky espn shows. Super proud of his career progression. He got a billionaire sports owner banned from his own building. 😂😂😂😂 that’s fucking wild!
Say what you want about SAS but true journalism is in his blood from back in the day. Great job to let Pablo have a 30 min segment to put this huge accomplishment in the spotlight. Pablo’s generational run continues
Pablo is a goat🐐 damn he really did this alone???
He introduces Pablo with so much pride and respect. Bravo Stephen A.
Dont worry, Kawhi will get a little black bag with $700k delivered to his door one night.
Isn’t Stephen A paid for and bought by Ballmer? You have been defending Steve Ballmer from the get go. ESPN has completely destroyed its credibility by parting ways with Pablo and doubling down with shrills like you. So, sad! I expected courage from you, but I guess the paycheck is too big.
Entertainment over journalism, that’s the ESPN way. That I expect, but show some ,,,,,Stephen A, call out your network for reporting on this without mentioning Pablo.
Steven A really let Pablo cook 😅this ep.
CLIPPERS got a slap on the wrist 🤦🏾♂️🤣🤣
Shamrock was taking notes during a co-op meeting and Stringer couldn’t believe it. Your taking notes on a criminal conspiracy. Stephen A didn't understand that reference. There were many Shamrock's in this story.
Kawai Lenit 0:34
4:27 Investigation
In the good old days this man would end up in a trunk for not minding his own business .
Everyone "hates" people like Pablo until they need a person like Pablo.
Nobody gives a fuck about this story real basketball fans don't
Ask him to investigate Lebron James taking PEDS down in Miami all the proof and accusations on that
I will be happy when the next episode of Pablo Finds Out because the next episode of "Pablo Finds these Nuts"
So say a company is willing to pay someone 50 million obviously they think the person is worth it for whatever reason. I thought in America the market sets the value. I thought we wanted the government to stay out of business and leave the free market alone. Or is it they are picking and choosing. Someone wants to pay that man a billion dollars he should be able to take it.
16:30 that's the funniest part. All Kawhi had to do was at least do SOMETHING or ANYTHING for the company and it may not have come to light. He is THAT lazy.
From what I’m getting is from this is that if Kawhi just planted some trees, showed face none of this would have happened. Actually insane.
It’s good that Leonard was not suspended. The Clippers ownership and management wilfully tried to cheat the other owners in the NBA by doing illegal business and circumvent the salary cap
The most compelling sport journalism story time in a very long time. Bravo Pablo
KAWHI LEONARD GOT HIS 40 ACRES AND MULE FROM STEVE BALMER 🤷🏿♂️
19:34 😂😂😂
7:00 🤣 stringer bell
yall ever seen the wire when stringer bell gets mad at shamrock for taking notes at a criminal conspiracy lol😂lol😂
Pablo’s work is the equivalent of Woodward and Bernstein’s work on Watergate. He followed the money!
How many channels Stephen A got?
ANyone want to mention that a lawfirm is getting paid $60M
its nice to see a real journalist on SAS show
Pablo Torre should be making SAS $ for the work he does exposing the rich!
bravo Pablo
This is incredible!
In my life, I have never been so engaged in a sports journalist's interview on his work – and wanting more!
Well done Pablo! Keep up the good work.
My comment to Hannibal, I have been watching Wrestling for almost 42 years and I still watch WWE.
So much for the NBA luxury Tax! I wonder how many other owners and or organizations have been doing this to acquire players???
Pablo should get a commission from that law firm