If somebody over the last few days has said to temper expectations for the LA Clippers this season, that person certainly couldn't convince Steve Ballmer to. The Clippers chairman is as excited as ever to see Kawhi Leonard back and healthy, leading the team into what's expected to be a deep playoff run.

Steve and his wife Connie made an appearance on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the grand opening of the 350th Clippers Community Court. The program started back in 2018 with the Ballmers fully funding the renovations of 350 basketball courts across the city of Los Angeles. After four years, the renovations are finally complete.

Following the celebrations, Steve Ballmer met with members of the media to talk about the event, but also express his excitement to see Kawhi Leonard healthy again.

“Come on, man,” Ballmer said, clapping his hands in excitement. “We're talking about not only your best player but one of the preeminent handful of top players in the world. I am really excited about that. Kawhi's in the gym. He's working, and we got our fingers crossed everything keeps going on schedule.”

In addition to the return of Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers are also expected to sign free agent point guard John Wall. Wall reportedly secured a buyout with the Houston Rockets and plans to join the Clippers.

It's entirely unclear what and how much Wall has help at this point in his career. In 40 appearances with the Rockets during the 2020-21 season, Wall averaged 20.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game

Wall helps the Clippers at a position of need, bolstering their point guard spot alongside Reggie Jackson. Nicolas Batum is also expected to re-sign with the Clippers, while Isaiah Hartenstein and the team have mutual interest in getting a deal done.

In addition, the Clippers also officially announced the signing of Ivica Zubac to a contract extension on Sunday night. After declining his player option, the Clippers agreed to a three-year, $33 million extension to keep him in Los Angeles.

The potential for a healthy Clippers team making a deep playoff run has Steve Ballmer giddy.

“Oh I'm really excited about our team,” Ballmer added with a wide grin. “I think we have a great group, I think we've got great spirit, great energy, I think we've got a great draft pick. I'm excited about Moussa [Diabate] and his future with the Clippers. We'll see what happens as free agency opens up and everything else, but I think the sky's the limit for our team. The sky is the limit and it'll be kind of our effort, our energy, and of course, you've gotta have a little bit of good luck to win the Larry O'Brien trophy.”

The 2020 Orlando bubble was the only time the Kawhi Leonard/Paul George-led Clippers were healthy enough to win. Unfortunately, they blew a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets. The following season, Kawhi Leonard tore his ACL in the Conference semifinals. Last season, Leonard was unable to return and George missed the second play-in game due to COVID-19.

Steve Ballmer is hoping the 2022-23 season is the Clippers' year for health, and eventually, an NBA Championship.

“I think we stay healthy next season and we’re gonna be having a chance to be talking way late into the spring season. How’s that?”

In his last season with the Clippers in 2020-21, Kawhi Leonard averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.