Jazz owner Ryan Smith supports Clippers punishment, praises Steve Ballmer

Jazz owner Ryan Smith believes the NBA was right to punish the Clippers. He also remains firmly in Steve Ballmer’s corner. Smith addressed both sides of the matter during an interview with Daniel Roberts of Front Office Sports, calling Ballmer a “stand-up individual” while acknowledging that the league’s rules had to be enforced. “This game’s tricky. This game’s hard,” Smith said. “Obviously we have rules, and the NBA’s got to do it, and I’m glad he accepted it, and we all can just turn the page and move on.” Ballmer was suspended from team activities for one year after an…