Austin Rivers, the only NBA player coached by his father, has been the target of many critics for years. Now the Clippers Guard at ESPN has made a detailed statement on this subject.
“People can say what they want about me and my father[Clippers coach Doc Rivers],”said Rivers.”I understand that. I can also take my ego aside and understand why people don’t like the situation. When I grew up and saw the coach’s son play, I always said:’ He can’t do anything. He’s only on the team because of his father.”That’s why I understand.”
He doesn’t even consider the criticism unfair:”People say,’ His father gave him a chance. Is that true? I don’t know, sir. But did my father just know how good I could be because he is my father? He told me on the phone back then that we’d try it out, and we’d have to go our separate ways if it didn’t work out.”
Rivers came to Los Angeles by trade in 2015 after he hadn’t really made it to New Orleans. Since then he has improved every season, this year he is a starter for the first time and currently has an average of 15.8 points and 3.6 assists.
“I know what people say about me. That’s because I didn’t grow up poor and have a lot of self-confidence,”said Rivers,”but if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be able to deal with the negativity that’s bothering me. I would have given up long ago because I’ve been experiencing this since high school. If I didn’t have that attitude, I wouldn’t be in the NBA.”
Rivers, who has been working since 29. I’m not saying,”I don’t say,” I don’t say,’ I’m poor.”There are people who have real problems,” Rivers says,”so I don’t need compassion. I’m fine, I’m playing the best season of my career. I just want to get better and help my team.”