3x 6MOTY Lou Williams reveals unknown fact about $2B Intuit Dome
In an interview during the LA Clippers' matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, former Clippers star Lou Williams revealed that he played a part in the planning of the team's new arena, the Inuit Dome, in Inglewood, California.
When asked about what he thought of the building, Williams said Steve Ballmer, the owner of the team, invited the players to give their input for the planning of the building.
"It's amazing. I had an opportunity to tout it this summer, I was actually a part of the planning," Williams said. "Mr. Ballmer gave us an opportunity to have some putback back in the day when I was here, so to see it come to fruition is amazing."
The Inuit Dome opened on Aug. 15, ahead of the start of the 2024-25 NBA season. The arena took under 37 months and around $2 billion to construct, per ESPN. It is not just the Clippers' new home arena but also an entertainment sanctuary, blending advanced technology with human interaction.
The LA Clippers previously hosted their games at the Crypto.com Arena, formerly known as Staples Center, in Los Angeles. They shared the arena with the LA Lakers from 1999 to 2024.
Former Clippers star Lou Williams admits to playing an NBA game while drunk
On a recent episode of his podcast, "The Underground Lounge," former LA Clippers star Lou Williams revealed that he once played an NBA game while drunk. The three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year said he got drunk the night before their matchup against the New York Knicks during the 2018-19 season and was still made to play.
“One time we had a noon game in New York,” he said. "My whole s— in New York, I go to a little lounge, little hookah lounge, have me a couple of drinks. I can go and get back to the room.
“This particular night, it’s like 10:30, I’m about to walk out the door. I don’t know what happened. A wave of women walked in, like a 40 piece just everywhere. I got a little carried away.”
Lou Williams further shared that he confessed to the then-Clippers coach, Doc Rivers, about his dilemma.
"...So I walk up to Doc Rivers, I say, ‘Doc I’mma tell you the truth.' Me and Doc had this kind of relationship,” Williams said. "I said, ‘Doc, I’mma tell you the truth, I’m drunk as f—. I’m f—— up. I went too far. I’m sorry. I don’t think I can do this.’”
While Williams thought he would be sat out given his condition, Rivers decided to play him.
“‘You’re playing the whole second quarter, because I need you to sweat that s— out. Because I’m going to need you in the fourth quarter,’” Williams recalled Rivers saying.
The game concluded with Lou Williams recording 29 points, three rebounds and seven assists to lead the team to a 124-113 victory over the Knicks. Williams scored 25 of his points in the final quarter of the game.