Austin Rivers hasn’t made much noise since entering the league three years ago as the 10th overall pick of the 2012-2013 NBA draft.
That has changed in a big way in the playoffs for Doc Rivers’ son, who has found himself in critical situations for the Los Angeles Clippers and, at times, have delivered in a big way.
Nothing trumps what he did in Game 3 against the Houston Rockets on Friday, though. Rivers, who came off the bench for the first time in the series thanks to the return of Chris Paul, was virtually unstoppable, scoring 25 points on a shocking 10-of-13 shooting from the field to go with six rebounds, two assists, one steal and a block. Rivers was so caught up in the moment that he even managed to mimic James Harden’s signature celebration after hitting a deep three-pointer against Jason Terry in the decisive third quarter:
For one night, it was Rivers’ world and everyone else was living in it. Based on the reactions from around the league, no one seemed to mind either.
Coaches son!! Doc you are the Father!! #AustinRivers #mauryshow #puthimbacin
— Kenny Smith (@TheJetOnTNT) May 9, 2015
#austinRivers is putting on a show for the @laclippers wow dad is defiantly proud of this performance… https://t.co/ZoTp7cU8JU
— Corey Maggette (@Corey_Maggette) May 9, 2015
Austin rivers chants? This game really is getting out of hand. #CLIPPERSvsROCKETS
— Clyde Drexler (@clydedrexler22) May 9, 2015
Shots fired!
— Skylar Diggins (@SkyDigg4) May 9, 2015
Houston Chronicle: A Rivers Runs through It…Clippers with massive production from their combination of guards tonight, great crowd in LA
— Brent Barry (@Barryathree) May 9, 2015
@AustinRivers25 coming of age swiftly and quickly. What a performance especially after @CP3 back in uniform. #CLIPPERSvsROCKETS
— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) May 9, 2015
Austin on fire!!!
— Quincy Pondexter (@QuincyPondexter) May 9, 2015
That boy AR killing
— Marreese Speights (@Mospeights16) May 9, 2015
Austin is making dad proud right now .. Wow this guy is killin!!
— Meyers Leonard (@MeyersLeonard11) May 9, 2015
Austin hoopin. N yall hating. Wtm??? I’ll wait
— Dorell Wright (@DWRIGHTWAY1) May 9, 2015
Jim Park is a blogger and editor of Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on twitter @SheridanBlog.
The horrible Daniel “Boobie” Gibson had a couple of very decent playoff games early in his NBA career, too. In the end it didn’t matter, because he was still a very bad NBA player. So is Austin Rivers. This nepotism thing is eventually going to morph into a team problem.