Austin Rivers: Clippers Are Like Kanye ... Hated ... But Respected

This is interesting ... L.A. Clippers star Austin Rivers says if he had to compare his team to a rapper -- they'd be Kanye West because people hate 'em ... but respect 'em at the same time.

23-year-old Rivers was leaving Hyde on Sunset when he told us ... despite the team's 9 GAME win streak, there's still no love out there for the 4th place Clips.

"The people don't care for us too much," Rivers said ... "I don't know why, I'm new here!"