Austin Rivers Comparison

No,  Austin Rivers does not finish acrobatically at the rim.  Driving the lane wildly and throwing a clanker off the backboard does not count as acrobatic finishing.  Manu is a better shooter, passer, defender, leader, and person than Austin.  Rivers is probably quicker off the dribble than Manu, but that’s it.  Ginobli is better in every other facet of the game than Austin.

Austin to me is a slightly more advance skilled Monta ellis, that is less athletic. I would also say he has some Gilbert Arenas in his game.

I dont see much Monta in his game because Coach K helped him become more of a team player.

Not much Gilbert because Gilbert plays low to the ground and is stronger than Rivers.

If I could give him a comparison it would be to OJ Mayo but way more mature as a player.

I doubt Rivers will score 18ppg his rookie year like Mayo but if put in the right situation he will become a solid NBA pro, potential All-Star and 20+ppg player

I currently have him mocked going to Boston in a trade up. They lost MarShon Brooks last year in the draft I doubt they do it again. They really need a 2 Guard 

 I can see why you say say that, as Rivers does have some of the same strengths as Manu.

 To really become like Manu, Rivers needs to work on cutting without the ball and catching and shooting.  I agree UNCbasketball that Manu is the superior finisher and Manu’s far more explosive athletic ability gives him a huge advantage as a slasher/finisher.  Rivers also lacks Manu’s court vision, which is very underrated.  Manu’s court vision is superior to that of many pgs.  Rivers, on the other hand, lacks the court vision to be an effective full-time pg.  I also think that Manu is stronger and better at taking contact in the lane, but that comes with age.  

While Rivers could do well to model his game after Manu’s, it is highly unlikely he ever becomes quite the complete player that Manu is.

I agree UNCbasketballbum that he doesn’t finish very acrobatically (isn’t strong or athletic enough to do so), but damn I think you went a bit far to say Manu is a better person.

You must know both guys personally lol.

 Jamal Crawford is my comparison

Your Youtube link doesn’t work.

Haven’t thought about it much, but I did watch a lot of college ball and he does seem very reminicent of Jamal Crawford.  Ball stopper… can handle the ball alright but an a/t of .9… I can see him being a spark plug off the bench

Seeing this enforced for me my opinion. That he is a more advance skilled Monta Ellis, with some Gilbert Arenas in his game. Also isn’t as athletic and strong as either one.

Yeah, that was dumb to say.  I obviously don’t know Manu or Austin personally.  What I meant to say was that Manu is better than everything than Austin except for quickness off the dribble.  Austin really has that arrogant AAU attitude.  He doesn’t involve teammates, rarely ever passes, and just plays isolation basketball.  This is why I was never a fan of his.  If he learns to play team ball and matures,  and gets stronger, he could be a very good player in the league

 That doesn’t mean you diss him as a person.  He plays with confidence at the court, but most of the people that I have interviewed him or talked about him to the media have mentioned how he is very intelligent and a good interview.  Just because someone may play with excessive confidence at times on the court doesn’t mean that they are arrogant or selfish as a person.

he alot like Jordan Crawford, more rounded a little bit.

i don’t think he disrespect him in any mean, cause it will not be far to say that overall in the world there’s not alot persons quality as Manu.

The kid can score just like Kevin Martin. Kevin has been on terrible teams thus labeling him as a volume scorer that doesn’t affect the game. Austin can go down that road if he is on teams that mismanage him and have a reputation as a losing franchise. Although there is an exception to what I just said, The Minnesota Timberwolves! They would be perfect place for him to get minutes and learn to shoot appropriate shots.

5. Pekovic

4. K Love

3. Derrick Williams

2. Austin Rivers

1. Barea/Rubio

Minnesota needs to find a way to get him. This group can learn to win together and their unselfish mindset could make big jumps win wise. Also nobody can deny Kevin Love as a superstar. For the record i’m not a Minnesota fan (but i am a Dwill fan).

I agree with the Jamal Crawford comparisons although Austin seems alot more fundomentally sound. Before his bit of time in ATL Crawford wad a horrible team player. I dont see that issue with Rivers which should help him maximizr his potential.

 Deron Williams without the court vision he can shoot the ball and break down the defensive with his handles just like d will

LOL @ HardcoreJacked comparing Austin Rivers to Kevin Martin

Kevin Martin is one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA.

What part of Austin Rivers’ game is anything like K-Mart’s?

I like the Crawford comparison a ton. Both are combo guards, who are shoot first, pass second type players.

I’ve compared him to JJ Barea and Jerryd Bayless before, which probably isnt a very popular one because of Rivers’ stature as a prospect, but if we are comparing him to Monta ellis, he should be a top 5 pick. He’s not going to be that good most likely.

I see Rivers as an instant offense off the bench type player, similar to what Crawford has excelled at

rivers will be a lot better player if he chooses to pass more

Rivers is quicker than Crawford though.

 Wow, surprised to see you comparing him to Crawford, JNixon as that’s the exact person I compare him to. Normally you and I don’t agree on comparisons.

@Wizard, Rivers is quicker now, but when Jamaal was younger, he was quite quick himself. He also had bigger strides and a better handle IMO.

 @Broken Helix, how is Kevin MArtin one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA? The guy hasn’t been an efficient scorer since 2008. He’s a sub 43% high volume scorer ho only gets as many points as he does because he goes to the line so often(yes efficiently though) by drawing into reaching in on his pump fakes(which he didn’t get nearly as frequent this year). The only thing efficient about Martin is his free throw shooting. For a guy known for shooting the ball, he’s actually lost quite a bit of his jumper over the past 4-5 seasons.

I watched the video @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT2vOdd8ato and honestly, while I was watching it, I thought of Farmar while he was still at UCLA. I’ve never thought of Rivers that way but man the way he moves, the jump stop, the cross over plus the aggresive but below the rim style of play. is all Farmar.

Obviously we know Farmar is more of an assist man and Rivers is expected to be more of a scorer but everything I saw in your video, I swear I’ve seen come straight out of a Farmar highlight video. Especially 1:35 – 2:00 …. my goodness, that’s straight up Farmar right there!!! He even sets/kicks his legs the way Farmar does from 3.

Here’s some preNBA Farmar highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iwj36pH8dM

No doubt Farmar in the league isnt the same player from college and high school but check the way he moves, his form and the crossover dribble. Rivers is almost a clone .

Odd, I said Austin Rivers was Jamal Crawford two months ago and picked up negative feedback.

http://nbadraft.net/forum/kevin-garnett-austin-rivers