The Official Austin Rivers Thread

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Maybe we should be taking this kid seriously for a trade down.

He has NBA style handles and moves. He can hit from deep, which is something we desperately need.

He's possibly a combo guard who could fit well with Kemba AND Gerald.

A year ago, this kid was considered the cat's meow.

What's up? Ego issues? A tweener caught between PG and SG?

[Whiz Kid]

I like him as far as basketball. Dislike him as far as Duke (ugh). Lol. But on the serious note, he can definately help us. If we lose the lottery and trade down and happen to pick him up, I'd see no reason for him not to start. A little undersized for the 2 though, but thats where I would put him. I'd want to start him then have a solid role player coming off the bench. A James Harden type of player who is perfectly content with coming off the bench and contributing. He'd be a solid scorer. Really high offensive potential.

[Plowright]

If we trade down I want him for sure

[SWedd523]

I think it's funny how he was a mid to late first round pick all year, and then he declares for the draft, and all of a sudden he's a lottery pick.

I don't want him. If he had a PG mentality, he could be an elite player. But he's stuck in chuck-first, chuck-second mode and he can't get away with it on the next level.

[Bosnian-Bobcats-Fan]

I dont see him being any better than a poor mans lou williams to be honest....

[Plowright]

He is bigger and more athletic than Lou Williams. I think this kid is going to go far

[SWedd523]

He is bigger and more athletic than Lou Williams. I think this kid is going to go far
He's not as athletic as Lou Williams....



And he's nowhere near as good a shooter.

[Plowright]

Agree to disagree Swedd.

[JamieMcNeill]

SG skillset and a PGs mentality and size

No thanks.


Perpetual Optimism

[Pepperz]

I think Rivers is going to be a great player at the NBA level. His game is more suited for it. He has wonderful handles. Great mentality on wanting to be great. Give him sometime and he is going to be the 2nd option on a title team or 3rd option as worst.

[SWedd523]

I think Rivers is going to be a great player at the NBA level. His game is more suited for it. He has wonderful handles. Great mentality on wanting to be great. Give him sometime and he is going to be the 2nd option on a title team or 3rd option as worst.
I just wish he had a PG mentality. If he went out wanting to play the game like Deron, then he'd be a top 3 pick right now. Unfortunately, he's too concerned with shooting, shooting, shooting

[adam187]

i'm not real Lehigh on him at the moment

(sorry stole that from a comment i saw on ESPN, but it still makes me chuckle)

[Plowright]

The thing is, what is easier to do, Change your mentality or improve your game? He is a coaches son, yeah he is very big time but He already has the skillssa

[SWedd523]

The thing is, what is easier to do, Change your mentality or improve your game? He is a coaches son, yeah he is very big time but He already has the skillssa
I would rather take less talented, but harder working players just about 9 times out of 10.

Beasley or Dudley? Dudley.
Nick Young or Aron Afflalo? Afflalo.
Andrew Bynum or Marc Gasol? Gasol.

[Pepperz]

His work ethic is not what is in question. Its his mentality and how he plays his game. That can be changed more so then improving his game. Maybe all through out school, since he was one of the best out there, he never had to learn to get the team involved. Once he gets to the NBA, he is going to change that for everybody is going to be just as good as him. Or you are really going to see his 1v1 game come to life. In the end, I would love to pick up a guy like him with a lottery pick. What ever team he ends up on, he will make them happy and proud.

[Plowright]

We are talking about different things Swedd. Mentality and work ethic. His mentality is a scorer. His work ethic is good thought from what I hear, he is determined to be the best

[Pepperz]

We are talking about different things Swedd. Mentality and work ethic. His mentality is a scorer. His work ethic is good thought from what I hear, he is determined to be the best

That is what I really like about him. If you are fine with where you are at as a player, I never want a guy like that on my team. I want people that always want more and always want to improve.

[Plowright]

Tyrus Thomas is a typical player with an attitude of "It's okay to be mediocre" and it kills me

[adam187]

as long as they don't call his travels, he should be fine

[Demon DeaCat]

Nobody's really been talking about this guy so I thought I'd bump his thread back to the top. I'm kind of baffled at how under the radar he's been. I get all the concerns people have raised about his game-- poor shot selection, no commitment to defense, etc. but one thing no one has ever questioned is that he's got tremendous offensive skills and that he has the ability to be an elite scorer in the NBA. In addition to that, the other thing you have to love about him is that he wants to be "the guy". He's got the confidence to take big shots in the 4th quarter. Guys that have that mentality, along with the skill set to actually deliver, are a rare commodity. We've talked a lot about lesser skilled guys and what their upside might be, but two things that can't be taught are offensive skill and swagger, and Rivers has both. Every player has flaws, but his flaws can be corrected with the right coach under the right system. I just feel like 2 years from now when he's regularly dropping 20 a night, we're going to look back and wonder what we were thinking for not taking this guy. Aside from Davis, he's probably the next most likely to become an all-star of anyone in this draft. If he's stays on the board as long as he's projected to he'd be an ideal trade-down target.

[SWedd523]

the other thing you have to love about him is that he wants to be "the guy".
That's actually what most people hate about him.

He has the elitist attitude without the elite game. He's not as good as his ego seems to think


Average athletically other than a quick first step
Small frame with short-ish arms
Average to below-average shooter
Bad court vision
Lazy defender

The only redeeming quality I've seen in him is the ability to beat his man off the dribble. He's a fantastic ball handler but once he does that, it all falls apart.


I've said many times in many places that he would be a really good PG if he just dedicated himself to that aspect of his game. He's just too busy trying to be a gunner, and he's not good enough to do it

[Potato]

I would rather take less talented, but harder working players just about 9 times out of 10.

Beasley or Dudley? Dudley.
Nick Young or Aron Afflalo? Afflalo.
Andrew Bynum or Marc Gasol? Gasol.The hell?..

[SWedd523]

Trouble reading?

I would rather have Marc Gasol than Andrew Bynum.

[dnbman]

Trouble reading?

I would rather have Marc Gasol than Andrew Bynum.

They have incredibly similar numbers. Don't understand why Bynum would be considered superior.

I'd probably take Gasol at this point too.

[SWedd523]

Not to mention Marc actually has two knees and no crappy attitude

[Potato]

14 and 9 is the same as 18 and 12?

http://i2.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/000/015/orly.jpg

Bynum is easily the second best center in a game where you can't find dominant big men anymore.

[SWedd523]

http://bloguin.com/asternwarning/images/stories/bynum-knee-injury-1.gif

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kYuUNkfpr0k/TaZbXPLakMI/AAAAAAAAAAs/E182n10Iv3c/s1600/andrew-bynum-injury.jpg

[Potato]

Well when he's healthy I think you're insane if you would take Gasol over him.

[Demon DeaCat]

I've said many times in many places that he would be a really good PG if he just dedicated himself to that aspect of his game. He's just too busy trying to be a gunner, and he's not good enough to do it

I think this is exactly the problem though. People look at him and say "he'd be a really good PG if he could just do x,y, and z." But he's not a PG. He has the physical tools to play the position but he doesn't have that mentality. Any team that drafts him thinking he's going to develop into a great PG is going to be disappointed. Rather than force that fit, you have to just accept what he is, and what he is is a scorer. He needs a coach who can provide discipline and structure, but if allowed to do what he does best can flourish.

[SWedd523]

.... when is he healthy?

[SWedd523]

I think this is exactly the problem though. People look at him and say "he'd be a really good PG if he could just do x,y, and z." But he's not a PG. He has the physical tools to play the position but he doesn't have that mentality. Any team that drafts him thinking he's going to develop into a great PG is going to be disappointed. Rather than force that fit, you have to just accept what he is, and what he is is a scorer. He needs a coach who can provide discipline and structure, but if allowed to do what he does best can flourish.
That's the point.

He COULD be a good PG, but won't be. Due to his inflated opinion of himself

He WON'T be a good SG, because he doesn't have the tools necessary to do so.

Therefore, he looks like an average at best player for the future.

[dnbman]

gasolE=Potato;217095]14 and 9 is the same as 18 and 12?

Bynum is easily the second best center in a game where you can't find dominant big men anymore.[/QUOTE]

Yh, rly.

Bynum has only had those numbers once in this shortened NBA season. Despite being in the league 7 years, he's career average is still 12 and 8.

The 12 rebounds is impressive, but I'll still take Gasol, who's had better career numbers, health, and attitude.

[Demon DeaCat]

That's the point.


He WON'T be a good SG, because he doesn't have the tools necessary to do so.



Based on what? Quick first step. Ability to create his own shot and finish. Decent shooter from distance. How does that equate to not having the necessary tools? No one questions that the guy can score so I'm confused how you're so convinced that he'll flop?