Austin Rivers’ impressive journey to the NBA and LA Clippers
LA Clippers
On January 16th 2015 NBA history was made. No other player had ever suited up for a team where his father was the head coach. And to start out it really wasn’t pretty. Austin struggled massively early on in his Clippers career, scoring 14 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds (in total) through is first five games, and hitting just one three-pointer.
But his potential on the defensive end was definitely there. His quick footwork, smart switching and holding the ball-handler up in transition started to justify his playing time, and eventually began to find his shot, scoring a career and season-high 28 points in a blowout victory against the Sacramento Kings.
Rivers’ first taste of playoff basketball redefined the term “thrown in at the deep end” as the Clippers were drawn against defending champion San Antonio Spurs in what would go on to be one of the greatest first round matchups in history. Eventually, the Clippers lost in the second round to the Houston Rockets after being only one game away from progressing to the Western Conference Finals for the first time.
But that’s ok… because the Warriors blew a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
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In summer of 2015, Austin re-signed with the Clippers and started to show real improvement on both ends of the floor, scoring more efficiently and often taking the tougher defensive assignments to ease the load on Chris Paul, who he was also playing alongside more often as a dual-point guard, small-ball type of lineup. During the season, Austin topped his career high with an incredible 32 point, near win as a shorthanded Clippers team took on the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Fast forward through a horrific, painful first round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers, who eventually eliminated the Clippers after losing both Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. But Austin Rivers performance in Game 6 changed absolutely everything.
Austin suffered a bloody and dangerous gash on left eye after an elbow from Portland’s Al-Farouq Aminu in the first quarter. After being taken out of the game and into the medical facility, Rivers received 11 stitches before stepping back onto the court with around five minutes left in the second quarter.
Playing essentially blind in one eye,and in a considerable amount of pain, Rivers finished the game with 21 points, eight assists, six rebounds and the respect and admiration of every individual associated with the game of basketball.
Tweets flooded in from the NBA family showing their support for Rivers’ performance
Couldn't be more impressed with @AustinRivers25 and the rest of the @LAClippers tonight. pic.twitter.com/3UKxB8yWeb
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) April 30, 2016
Anybody who thinks Austin Rivers can only play for his dad is an idiot...incredible performance anytime; more so with one eye...
— Michael Wilbon (@RealMikeWilbon) April 30, 2016
Ball really is life for Austin Rivers. #respecthttps://t.co/ngLTSvVgZr
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 30, 2016
Nobody could ever ask more of a player than what Austin gave to the Clippers in this game. He stepped up when the team needed him most, and then took it to a completely new level of dedication and effort.
During free agency of 2016, Austin re-signed with the Clippers on a three-year, $35 million contract, which some fans STILL thought was way too much for the former lottery pick.