[WetalkinboutpracticeParticipant]

 

Not necessarily earth shattering news but Austin seems to be a polarizing figure around here so I figured it deserved a mention. Although Rivers hasn’t done much to merit a 4th year option none the less still find it surprising whenever a club seemingly gives up on a lottery prospect before the player even finishes up his rookie deal, especially considering Monty Williams relationship with the Rivers clan. Williams did however mention that he still has faith in Austin’s potential at this level, hinting that this was a move made more so for financial reasons.

Despite talk of a larger cap in the near future the Pelicans could find themselves strapped should Asik bolt next summer, so freeing up as much room as possible to give a young star like Davis all the help he needs is the priority.

http://m.basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/235316/pelicans-decline-fourth-year-option-on-austin-rivers

[CU.LIONSParticipant]

I see Austin Rivers with Poppa Rivers next year.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

No one else greater to be an understudy of in Jamal Crawford, although Chris Paul will breakdown the game as a whole, but Crawford is whom he should stalk.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

No one else greater to be an understudy of in Jamal Crawford, although Chris Paul will breakdown the game as a whole, but Crawford is whom he should stalk.

[CU.LIONSParticipant]

I see Austin Rivers with Poppa Rivers next year.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

 Not a shocker, can’t blame them

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

 Not a shocker, can’t blame them

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

A fairly predictable result. He did little beyond hitting a three pointer over Zeller in college to warrant being given chance to play in the NBA. He hasn’t showed ability to play in the NBA yet. He still has shooting issues and he can’t do much else. But he looks like an NBA player. Good size, great handles. But he can’t impact the game. But all predictable. Quick cheat sheet for making the jump to the NBA. If you don’t steal the ball and/or block shots at at least an average rate in college, then you will not be athletic enough to be good in the NBA. Athletes do athletic things on the court. If you aren’t going to be athletic, then you better be a great shooter. Great shooters do not shoot 60% from the FT line.  

It would nice to see him stick in the league though. I think he still warrants an NBA minimum contract for some team as a flyer. Seems to be a good locker room presence. No off court issues. He has brains and could learn to distribute a bit. Also he gets to the hole a bit and draws some fouls. That is a nice skill.  And he has the size to defend. 

 

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

A fairly predictable result. He did little beyond hitting a three pointer over Zeller in college to warrant being given chance to play in the NBA. He hasn’t showed ability to play in the NBA yet. He still has shooting issues and he can’t do much else. But he looks like an NBA player. Good size, great handles. But he can’t impact the game. But all predictable. Quick cheat sheet for making the jump to the NBA. If you don’t steal the ball and/or block shots at at least an average rate in college, then you will not be athletic enough to be good in the NBA. Athletes do athletic things on the court. If you aren’t going to be athletic, then you better be a great shooter. Great shooters do not shoot 60% from the FT line.  

It would nice to see him stick in the league though. I think he still warrants an NBA minimum contract for some team as a flyer. Seems to be a good locker room presence. No off court issues. He has brains and could learn to distribute a bit. Also he gets to the hole a bit and draws some fouls. That is a nice skill.  And he has the size to defend. 

 

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

There are tons of players players in the NBA with not even close to the talent of Rivers that are contributors on NBA teams. I think what it basically comes down to is that Rivers thinks he’s so much better than he actually he is. He has the Kobe Bryant arrogance without coming even close to Kobe’s talent. He was arrogant in college. Anyone remember him giving himself the nickname “sub zero.” Just awful. Austin was outclassed and massively outplayed by CJ McCollum in Duke’s loss to Lehigh in the first round of the NCAA tournament. He is such a poor shooter for a guy trying to be a 2 and his form is pretty bad. He’s not a point guard at all and doesn’t distribute. He’s just a really arrogant guy without the talent to back any of it up. I don’t know if he’ll stick in the league and might be better off with a stint in the NBDL to work on some of his weaknesses and try to make a comeback to the NBA later.

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

There are tons of players players in the NBA with not even close to the talent of Rivers that are contributors on NBA teams. I think what it basically comes down to is that Rivers thinks he’s so much better than he actually he is. He has the Kobe Bryant arrogance without coming even close to Kobe’s talent. He was arrogant in college. Anyone remember him giving himself the nickname “sub zero.” Just awful. Austin was outclassed and massively outplayed by CJ McCollum in Duke’s loss to Lehigh in the first round of the NCAA tournament. He is such a poor shooter for a guy trying to be a 2 and his form is pretty bad. He’s not a point guard at all and doesn’t distribute. He’s just a really arrogant guy without the talent to back any of it up. I don’t know if he’ll stick in the league and might be better off with a stint in the NBDL to work on some of his weaknesses and try to make a comeback to the NBA later.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

NOLA tried to make him a PG. He’s never been a 1, which is the problem. He’s geared to be your microwave, cook you inside and out without making plays for others. Now, let’s see how much Eric Gordon bounces back.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

NOLA tried to make him a PG. He’s never been a 1, which is the problem. He’s geared to be your microwave, cook you inside and out without making plays for others. Now, let’s see how much Eric Gordon bounces back.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Literally never played to his strengths and never was given prolong minutes to work out issues. He is going to be better served some place out. It is important to go to the right team and coach more than draft position sometimes. A guy like Sullinger has played through his pains and the coaches have not made him something he is not. Blessing for Austin.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Literally never played to his strengths and never was given prolong minutes to work out issues. He is going to be better served some place out. It is important to go to the right team and coach more than draft position sometimes. A guy like Sullinger has played through his pains and the coaches have not made him something he is not. Blessing for Austin.

[rongataParticipant]

 Not saying his ceiling is high but he could carve out a niche as a role player if his ball handling gets better. He is on a guard heavy team and Brian Roberts turned out to be better than expected. Someone will give him a chance.

[rongataParticipant]

 Not saying his ceiling is high but he could carve out a niche as a role player if his ball handling gets better. He is on a guard heavy team and Brian Roberts turned out to be better than expected. Someone will give him a chance.

[HitsterParticipant]

 He hasn’t set the NBA alight but hasn’t been a bust either, rather strange not to pick up an option for just over $3 million for a player with upside. At worse he’d be a nice expiring contract with talent attached next year. But Monty Williams and Dell Demps have witnessed Rivers upclose for two years so are clearly not convinced. The Pelicans will have cap room next year and if they want to try and contend around Anthony Davis then maybe they feel this salary would be far better spent on a solid veteran role player.

[HitsterParticipant]

 He hasn’t set the NBA alight but hasn’t been a bust either, rather strange not to pick up an option for just over $3 million for a player with upside. At worse he’d be a nice expiring contract with talent attached next year. But Monty Williams and Dell Demps have witnessed Rivers upclose for two years so are clearly not convinced. The Pelicans will have cap room next year and if they want to try and contend around Anthony Davis then maybe they feel this salary would be far better spent on a solid veteran role player.

[ncballer]

 Jimmer will likely take all his minutes this year anyways.  

[ncballer]

 Jimmer will likely take all his minutes this year anyways.  

[Author]

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