{"id":4485,"date":"2017-02-16T14:15:40","date_gmt":"2017-02-16T19:15:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/?p=4485"},"modified":"2017-02-23T16:57:54","modified_gmt":"2017-02-23T21:57:54","slug":"clippers-guard-austin-rivers-underrated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2017\/02\/16\/clippers-guard-austin-rivers-underrated\/","title":{"rendered":"Los Angeles Clippers Guard Austin Rivers is Underrated"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>On September 19, 2016, Los Angeles Clippers guard <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/riverau01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Austin Rivers<\/a><\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/riverau01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>threw out the first pitch at the Los Angeles Dodgers\u2019 home game against the San Francisco Giants. He was booed. Loudly.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Lakers fans boo Austin Rivers off the mound during \u201cClippers Night\u201d at Dodger Stadium<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/unzWMT9C4D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/unzWMT9C4D<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/SukOoXvQPX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/SukOoXvQPX<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LakersNation\/status\/778443725525483524?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 21, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>That begs the question: why do people love to hate Austin Rivers?\u00a0Is it his unwavering confidence? The fact that he is the coach&#8217;s son?\u00a0 Whatever it is, it&#8217;s unwarranted. Let\u2019s take a closer look at Rivers, who is contributing mightily to the Clippers&#8217; success this season.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Clippers Guard Austin Rivers is Underrated<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Nepotism<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Claims of nepotism have plagued Rivers since he arrived in Los Angeles. He was acquired as part of a three-team deal negotiated by his father, Clippers head coach and GM <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/riverdo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Doc Rivers<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0in January 2015. The skepticism surrounding the deal was understandable. After New Orleans picked him 10th overall in the 2012 draft, Rivers struggled in his first three seasons. He had difficulty shooting the ball, especially from three-point range. Averaging just 6.9 points and 2.3 assists in 21.4 minutes per game, Rivers was hardly a hot commodity. His acquisition by Los Angeles was therefore fervently debated, with many fans not believing that he would fill a void in the Clippers\u2019 roster.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Valuable Offensive Contributions<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><u><\/u>During the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, Rivers\u2019 stats were fairly consistent with his performance in New Orleans. Rivers averaged about 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. However, his energy and ability were often overshadowed by inconsistency. Last season, Rivers was just as likely to embark on a multi-game skid with little to no offensive output as he was to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EZ8UUqwHJeY\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">score 32 points in a game against a top-tier team like the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a>. Given Rivers\u2019 ups and downs, many fans were perplexed when the Clippers <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/16713223\/austin-rivers-re-signing-los-angeles-clippers-confirms-espn-ramona-shelburne\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">re-signed him to a three-year deal worth $35.7 million <\/a>in July 2016. Rivers simply had to step it up this season, and so far, he has.<\/p>\n<p>Off-season work with <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/cassesa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sam Cassell<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/redicjj01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">J.J. Redick<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0paid off for Rivers, whose field goal percentage has improved from 41 percent to 44 percent. Rivers\u2019 three-point percentage has also improved significantly, going from 35 percent to 40 percent. Rivers is averaging career-highs of over 12 points and three assists per game. His ability to finish at the rim has been particularly impressive. Rivers has always had good handles, but this season, he has looked an awful lot like <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/paulch01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chris Paul<\/a><\/strong>, with his controlled weaving in and out of the lane while running the offense.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Elite Defense<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Rivers\u2019 defensive stats have been consistently solid. According to <a href=\"http:\/\/stats.nba.com\/league\/player\/defense\/#!\/?sort=PCT_PLUSMINUS&amp;dir=-1\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">tracking data provided by NBA.com<\/a>, Rivers held opponents to 39.5 percent shooting during the 2015-16 season, with a -4.7 percentage point differential, putting him in the ranks of the league&#8217;s elite defenders. This season,\u00a0Rivers has held opponents to 44.5 percent shooting, with a -.7 percentage point differential. These are still great numbers, considering Rivers\u2019 assignments and increased playing time in Paul\u2019s absence. Rivers\u2019 defensive assignments have included some of the league\u2019s most proficient scorers, such as\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/haywago01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gordon Hayward<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gayru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rudy Gay<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/curryst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stephen Curry<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/thompkl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Klay Thompson<\/a><\/strong>, and <strong>James Harde<\/strong><strong>n<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>The \u201cX-Factor\u201d \u2013 Rivers\u2019 Mental Toughness<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>As good as Rivers&#8217; stats look this season, his best attributes are not necessarily reflected in his numbers. His energy and swagger on the court are undeniable. The hustle and grit he\u2019s shown during the playoffs over the last two seasons have been especially memorable. Three games, in particular, are worth mentioning:<\/p>\n<h5>Game 4 of the 2015 first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs:<\/h5>\n<p>In this pivotal game, Rivers played 17 minutes, scored 16 points, and delivered big on defense. His <a href=\"http:\/\/www.latimes.com\/sports\/clippers\/la-sp-clippers-fyi-20150427-story.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">inspiring performance <\/a>received a standing ovation, which is unusual for a\u00a0reserve player.<\/p>\n<h5>Game 3 of the 2015 Western Conference semifinals against the Houston Rockets:<\/h5>\n<p>In a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/west\/story\/austin-rivers-with-emotional-breakthrough-game-leads-clippers-to-game-3-win-050915\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">highly emotional and career-best playoff game<\/a>, Rivers scored 15 of his 25 points in the third quarter to lift the Clippers past Houston, 124-99.<\/p>\n<h5>Game 6 of last season\u2019s first-round playoff series against Portland.<\/h5>\n<p>Disadvantaged by the absences of Paul and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/griffbl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Blake Griffin<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0due to injuries, Rivers nearly willed the Clippers to victory with his passionate play. After a first quarter collision with <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/aminual01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Al-Farouq Aminu<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0caused Rivers to require 11 stitches, he\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/15431229\/austin-rivers-los-angeles-clippers-leaves-game-cut-left-eye\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">returned to the game<\/a>, eye swollen shut, to finish with 22 points and 8 assists.\u00a0His emotional post-game interview was painful to watch.<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=q85H0CDOxsU<\/p>\n<p>Rivers is a fighter &#8211; no doubt about it.<\/p>\n<p>All things considered, whether Austin Rivers ended up in Los Angeles due to nepotism or divine intervention, it really does not matter. He is a solid player and has proven to be a good fit for the Clippers on both ends of the floor. Talk of trading Rivers to the Knicks or some other franchise should worry Clipper fans, not delight them. He is truly one of the most undervalued players in the NBA.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/492634052\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 64.478114% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/492634052?et=pqGTwtOFQOpAa6r4YmIKpg&amp;viewMoreLink=off&amp;sig=70khAsOzn-NprdGUO3mrpyrrpT-TFTsLmGceBjOeJe0=&amp;caption=true\" width=\"594\" height=\"383\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. He&#8217;s averaging career-highs in points and assists this season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1670,"featured_media":4506,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27,62],"tags":[425,65,229,190,189,96],"class_list":["post-4485","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-clippers","category-nba","tag-austin-rivers","tag-basketball","tag-chris-paul","tag-doc-rivers","tag-los-angeles-clippers","tag-nba"],"modified_by":"Ben Kerr","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4485","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1670"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4485"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4485\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4485"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4485"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4485"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}