The Los Angeles Clippers have developed a reputation during the tenure of Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and Doc Rivers as being disliked by their peers and fans of other teams.
"The most hated team by far," said a veteran NBA coach.
"Something about them," said a longtime team executive. "It's just an irritant."
"It just seems like we have guys that annoy people," said J.J. Redick.
"I hate 'em," DeMarcus Cousins told reporters after an opening-night loss to the Clippers. "Honestly, I do. I hate 'em."
Paul and Griffin are known as being two of the most frequent complainers to referees in the NBA.
"When I took the job here, I remember literally hearing from a couple refs: 'Oh my God,'" Rivers said. "'You're going to the team that clearly complains more than any team in the NBA by far.'"
Paul has a reputation for being a master in basketball's dark arts the way John Stockton was during his career.
"I don't play for anybody to like me," Paul said. "I'm telling you, I got enough friends, you know what I mean?"