[IamRAMBO24Participant]

The latest installment of "NBA Rooks" takes a look at the New Orleans Hornets’ Austin Rivers on the first step of his rookie journey. From the whirlwind experience of draft day, to practice and games at Las Vegas Summer League, Austin talks about his work ethic, what he learned from his dad and his long-held dream of reaching the NBA.

 

[omphalosParticipant]

 Still a bit iffy about where Rivers will fit in with the Hornets, probably as a sixth man early on, but I did notice that Xavier Henry looks to be in great shape, still hoping he is able to cement himself as a key part of a team somewhere.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Xavier Henry may get some minutes at small forward just because the Hornets have a hole there, but he’s not very good.

I’d much rather see Aminu get majority of those minutes.

[omphalosParticipant]

 He’s not a great offensive player, but his defensive ability alone should allow him to carve out a niche as a stopper somewhere like Thabo or Tony Allen. He’s still very young and he’s had a tough run with injury but I’ve always been a fan and I’m loath to give up on him already.

I do agree that Aminu needs the lion’s share of the minutes at the SF.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Speaking of Austin Rivers… Just saw he was on First Take.

Listening to him talk and watching the way he carries himself… It’s hard not to like him.

Growing up around NBA players, etc has helped, but it’s still impressive to see the way he carries himself.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

I like Rivers and I think the Hornets could of got a steal with him at 10. But its gonna take some time for him to become a PG. If he can learn the PG position then the Hornets def got a steal as he could develop into a Chauncey Billups type.

Before the draft I knew Rivers or Waiters would be drafted by a team who needed them to play PG and Waiters has a much safer bet to develop into a PG.

Waiters not only averaged more apg in significantly less minutes but Waiters had one of the best assists to turnover ratios of any guard in the draft. Waiters was alao the best player in the nation in transition last year. This is why I was hoping Dion would fall to 10 where his pick n rolll efficiency would spell trouble with Davis and his ability to penetrate the lane at will would open up looks for Gordon. Because with Waiters strength, speed and handles if u played him str8 up when he’s attacking the rim hell eat the contact and finish amd if u send a help defender that turns into an oop for Davis or an open 3 for Gordon or Anderson.

Its them same attributes that also made me think the Hornets should of looked harder at taking Tony Wroten whose talents r farfrom a reach at 10. Wrotens size and passing ability would of been amazing to see with Davis and Gordon.

But Rivers does have a chance to learn and if he figures out when to pass and when to shoot u got all the makings of an elite PG.

But then again Gordon could proove to be made of peanut brittle and voila u have his replacement already.

[Author]

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