How good will Austin Rivers be in the NBA?

[Huey Freeman]

Assuming he plays the 2, how good will he be in the NBA? Do you see an all star invitation in his future?

Discuss

[Mal]

He is not ready for NBA.

[tlongII]

Not enough size for 2 guard.

[Robz4000]

I see comparisons between him and CJ (albeit he's definitely got more talent). He should stay at Duke for another season or two imo and see if he can improve. He may, and I think will, see some All-Star games in his future, but it's a long ways down the line as he is now.

[Koolaid_Man]

“We just let him handle the ball, I mean, you saw me off the ball a lot – probably more than you’ve ever seen me and as a result my night was a lot easier,” Bryant said. “I really didn’t have to work. I got 30 points and I didn’t even have to work for any of it because [Sessions] was doing all the penetrating and I was getting great screens. - Kobe Bryant

[Trill Clinton]

I think he'll be a good pro. He was the best player on his team this year as a freshman. He has a quick first step, can get to the rack with ease and his jumper is good enough.

[crc21209]

I didnt even think he was that great at Duke to begin with. He might be a very good role player, nothing more....

[NewcastleKEG]

I think he'll be very good but not an All Star level guy. Second tier SG around the level of Harden/Jamal Crawford/etc
Step below Crawford but then again I didn't think Irving would be this good

The NBA style definitely benefits Rivers' game more than CBB but he still isn't a adequate defensive player. I am surprised he declared, without the shot against UNC, I don't think he does. Not a dumb decision but I expected Plumlee to leave not Rivers

[baseline bum]

Monta Ellis sequel

[pass1st]

Oversized AI

[baseline bum]

Oversized AI

Iverson had way better PG skills.

[pass1st]

Iverson had way better PG skills.

He's only 19, PG skills come with time. He's used to playing SG, and might grow an inch or two still if he's lucky.

[NewcastleKEG]

He's projected 11th to Portland. Which makes sense. Teams drafting 8-13 don't need guards.

Pistons @ 7
Blazers @ 11
Jazz @ 9 or 13
Suns # 14


He would crumble in Detroit getting his head knocked in every night & forced on the floor.

[TDMVPDPOY]

his ceiling = his dad doc rivers
lol

[8FOR!3]

He's never going to be as good as he thinks he is.

[JamStone]

I agree he should have stayed another year and work on his PG skills. I see him as a scoring PG at the next level. I don't believe he's 6'4. Looks smaller. And while a good athlete, he's not a freak athlete. He's got the handle and has a nice first step and has the ability to be a playmaker, but seems like his approach is 99% towards scoring in a blackhole, Kobe/Westbrook type of way. I think it's fine in today's NBA for the PG to be a featured scorer, but he'll really need to mix in more playmaking where he can create shots for teammates as well.

I think he can be a pretty good NBA starting PG. But probably more of a second tier type of PG in the mold of maybe a Brandon Jennings. But if he doesn't improve his PG ability, he might be best used as a scoring combo guard off the bench like Jason Terry or Jamal Crawford.

[Pelicans78]

Fringe starter.

[pass1st]

I agree he should have stayed another year and work on his PG skills. I see him as a scoring PG at the next level. I don't believe he's 6'4. Looks smaller. And while a good athlete, he's not a freak athlete. He's got the handle and has a nice first step and has the ability to be a playmaker, but seems like his approach is 99% towards scoring in a blackhole, Kobe/Westbrook type of way. I think it's fine in today's NBA for the PG to be a featured scorer, but he'll really need to mix in more playmaking where he can create shots for teammates as well.

I think he can be a pretty good NBA starting PG. But probably more of a second tier type of PG in the mold of maybe a Brandon Jennings. But if he doesn't improve his PG ability, he might be best used as a scoring combo guard off the bench like Jason Terry or Jamal Crawford.

6'4 in college terms, he's probably 6'2 without shoes

[8FOR!3]

This guy's not going to destroy LeBron like he thinks he will. Austin Rivers thinks he's got Kobe talent with Michael Jordan upside. He's the youngest washed up player I've ever seen. Whoever said fringe starter put it best. He's probably good enough to start, if I drafted him though I'd expect him to be a solid 6th man hoping you could get rid of the ego.

[Koolaid_Man]

He'll be better than Ginobilli, Superior to Turtle Terry, and he'll own anything that says Detriot

[Clipper Nation]

I think he'll be a good pro. He was the best player on his team this year as a freshman. He has a quick first step, can get to the rack with ease and his jumper is good enough.


Oversized AI


I think he can be a pretty good NBA starting PG.
:lol Mainstream fans


He'll be better than Ginobilli, Superior to Turtle Terry, and he'll own anything that says Detriot
:lmao Capri with the usual shitty takes.

[lefty]

his ceiling = his dad doc rivers
lol
:lol

[apalisoc_9]

He is not ready for NBA.

Good call tbh..

he also never developed his game in the NBA though

[Infinite_limit]

I am a Dukie and being constantly shown by ESPN his incredible 3 pointer against UNC is a bittersweet moment. He stole us a victory in the rivalry but I never bought into Austin. There were no specific complaints but he never fit into the Duke family. When I think "gun for hire" in Duke's history, Austin is the guy I think of. Was he more selfish than Irving? Probably not but ultimately he just wasn't as good of a player [in Duke uniform]. There wasn't much leadership in the back court to challenge Austin at the time - Cook (Freshman) and Curry (Junior). So he ball hogged.

He definitely was not good enough nor did he showcase enough to bolt for the NBA. The entire situation felt like - this is Doc Rivers' son. I have serious doubts whether Rivers would have declared if he did not have that 1 single (granted incredible) shot against UNC. Which aired live on ESPN and then was replayed a thousands times by the same network.

My reservations proved correct as Duke flamed out in the First Round as a #2 seed.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyVKM08KgIU

Rivers @ UNC
29 PTs
9 of 16
6 three pointers
2 Assists


Rivers vs Lehigh (Round of 64)
19 PTs
5 of 14
1 Assist

[Franklin]

black Jeremy Rin tbh, being a scrub yet still having a job in the NBA (for non-basketball reasons)

[TheCultOfPersonality]

Austin Rivers = Taller Sebastian Telfair. A lot of hype, but doesn't have any talent outside of dribbling.

[AaronY]

He's just not a good athlete. Trollinger had a column on him coming out of college and his athletic markers were so bad

[MultiTroll]

Does this 3 way relationship of Rivers Rivers Clippers have the same longevity and gagginess potential as
Pop n Bonny Spurs?

[JamStone]

Horrible take by me.

However, as with almost all draft picks, things you cannot predict or gauge before they are already in the NBA are attitude, work ethic, and opportunity. Austin Rivers does have some point guard ability and if he came into the league focusing on playing PG and worked at that position exclusively, he might have had a chance. Plus, at the PG position, he'd have good size and one-on-one ability on offense.

I think more than anything, his lack of success and development is tied into his own unreasonable belief of how good he is and that he could be a star scorer in this league. Seems like he has had a horrible attitude coming into the league, and I find it unlikely that he's really put in the work to get better.

[Franklin]

poor man's Eric Gordon, tbh. :lol

[Red Hawk #21]

I watched the Cavs-Clippers game the other night and this kid is pure garbage. Everyone he tried to guard scored on him (Kyrie, Lebron on a switch, and even Dellavedova if I remember correctly). And then he tossed up bricks (Also had an airball 3) all night. The last thing I remember him doing was trying to bring up the ball, getting his pocket picked by Kyrie, and then committing a frustration foul. Doc better get his son in the gym ASAP. He looked out of place with everyone else on that court.