Matt Barnes, a former NBA player and champion, says he believes the Los Angeles Clippers are “cursed” after a run of setbacks and controversies. In comments reported by multiple outlets, Barnes also suggests that team owner Steve Ballmer should consider changing the team’s name as a way to mark a new start.
The reports link Barnes’s remarks to the franchise’s recent off-court troubles, including penalties such as forfeited first-round draft picks and ongoing efforts by the team to address concerns from fans. While Barnes’s comments began as an idea he proposed during Ballmer’s ownership tenure—at the time met with skepticism—several outlets describe it as renewed following a salary-cap-related scandal. Some reporting emphasizes Ballmer’s recognition of the issues and the organization’s push to rebuild trust, but none of the sources present new evidence supporting the “cursed” claim itself.
