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Austin Rivers’ impressive journey to the NBA and LA Clippers

By Andrew Miller

Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) talks to his father and head coach Doc Rivers during a time out in the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Clippers win 122-117. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) talks to his father and head coach Doc Rivers during a time out in the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Clippers win 122-117. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 6, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

2016-2017 season

Anybody who still thinks at this point that Austin Rivers isn’t a legitimate NBA player doesn’t know nearly enough about the sport.

This season, Rivers has shown considerable improvement in his all around game.

In 38 games so far, Austin is averaging a career-high 10.8 points per game on 44-40-71 shooting splits from the floor, three career-highs to go with 2.4 assists and 1.9 rebounds. He’s also averaging a career-high in steals (0.8).

The biggest, and easily most impressive stat is the 40.3 percent mark from beyond the arc, all while taking 3.5 per game (another career-high). Shooting is one aspect of Rivers’ game that he’s always struggled with, especially since being drafted into the NBA, which has previously caused some problems with spacing and being able to play off the ball.

His defence has been massive in the Clippers’ success, especially when tasked to guard the opposing team’s best guard, while even and played 19 percent of his total minutes at the small forward position this season (he’s only 6’4″).

The main point, that not just Clippers fans, but anybody who doubts Rivers’ ability to play in the NBA need to take away, is this:

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Since joining Los Angeles two and a half seasons ago, he has continually improved his game.

His scoring efficiency, his play-making, his defence, and his ability to adapt and fit into whatever role the team needs, whether it’s running the offense at point guard, coming off the bench to provide a scoring spark, or being a part time wing-stopper. He is improving.

Not all lottery picks turn out to be All-Star, MVP talents. And that’s ok.

If you look at the longevity of NBA players careers, other than the freakish superstars like Kobe, Duncan and LeBron, the guys who play for 15-20 years are the ones who carve out a particular niche and make the very most of their role.

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That’s not to rule out Austin eventually making the leap to All-Star status in his career. He’s not even anywhere near his prime yet, and if he continues to grow and develop the way he has in the last year or two, his potential is high.

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