Credit: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press
Austin Rivers Didn’t Just Make it Because of His Father; He Can Ball
Los Angeles Clippers’ Austin Rivers is more than just an average player playing on his father’s team, he’s grown to be an effective starting shooting guard who’s skill have put him atop candidates for the NBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year award.
When Los Angeles acquired Rivers in 2015, fans were disappointed the Clippers brought in a less than mediocre guard, nonetheless the head coach’s son. Two years later, if you still think Rivers has no business being on the team, you are sadly mistaken.
Austin Rivers is having the best season of his career and has drastically improved his game in a number of ways.
Throughout 45 games in 2016-17, Rivers is averaging a career-high 11.9 points along with 2.6 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game. His 44.9% shooting, 40.8% from deep, and 72.0% free-throws are also all career-highs. Rivers—a below average shooter for the beginning of his career—has proved his offseason work has paid off with his shooting numbers. 27.1 minutes per game for Los Angeles is almost four total minutes above his previous career-high.
The @LAClippers seal the road victory behind @AustinRivers25's 27 PTS, 4 REB & 6 AST! pic.twitter.com/famSS9b4YA
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 24, 2017
Rivers admits he knew he was going to improve this season.
“I finished up last year strong I went into summer confident,” he told the Los Angeles Daily News. “It’s not like this is a shock to me. I knew I was going to play well this year. I knew it was coming.”
Rivers’ much improved defense has also been felt, helping Los Angeles to their 30-17 record (4th in Western Conference standings). Rivers is holding defenders to 43.7% shooting–a mark that is quite impressive. His ability to provide offense wherever his team needs it—whether off-the-bench or running the point guard in place of injured, star teammate Chris Paul—makes the 6’4” Rivers abilities that more beneficial.
Credit: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images North America
RIVERS’ CASE FOR MOST IMPROVED
As Milwaukee Bucks hybrid Giannis Antetokounmpo and Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. are favorites to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player award in 2016-17, Austin Rivers is clearly the dark horse in the discussion. Don’t count Rivers out, though. His numbers have improved since last season and has established himself as a valuable player in the league.
His assist and rebound numbers have remained steady since a season ago, but the jump in his shooting percentages make Rivers’ name a must mention in this discussion.
In 2015-16, Austin Rivers shot 43.8% from the floor in 67 games played. This year, his shooting percentage has improved to 44.9% through 45 games. His three-point percentages lifted from 33.5% last season, to 40.8% this season—a 7.3% increase.
Austin Rivers said his personal goals are Most Improved or one of the All-Defense team.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) September 26, 2016
Austin Rivers is certainly living up to the three-year, $35 million deal he inked with Los Angeles this past summer. It will be interesting to see where Rivers ends up in the Most Improved discussion.
