Rivers needs some time.

Rivers needs time before he adapts to the NBA,he's the topic of some negative blowback from folks but, lets remember he's very young.I want to allow him to experience a larger body of work before being too harsh on him.

One year at Duke and now the NBA is a big jump.Lets observe and see what areas of his game grow.

Needs to grow at shooting. 7%

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Originally Posted by gerryv

Rivers needs time before he adapts to the NBA,he's the topic of some negative blowback from folks but, lets remember he's very young.I want to allow him to experience a larger body of work before being too harsh on him.

One year at Duke and now the NBA is a big jump.Lets observe and see what areas of his game grow.

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the more realistic posters on here have pretty much been saying the same thing, Gerry....and he likely needs to experience a larger body proper as well...

You can tell that he is a much more natural PG than SG in the NBA. He just creates with the ball in his hand, and he had 6 assists last game off the bench. Not bad. His scoring will increase as soon as he stops over-thinking everything.

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Originally Posted by nolaslim213

You can tell that he is a much more natural PG than SG in the NBA. He just creates with the ball in his hand, and he had 6 assists last game off the bench. Not bad. His scoring will increase as soon as he stops over-thinking everything.

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People were so concerned with his discipline in the draft, but he only took a total of four shots on his second game. He realizes his offensive game is not NBA ready so he took a back seat and made alot of nice plays. He is suited better to play the point imo he isnt as selfish as ppl made him out to be. He needs to work on a shot though he is too limited offensively. He will make his money at the FT line this season.

I think his scoring will increase also. He just needs some time, like you guys said a larger body of work will tell the whole story. But I do like the direction this team seems to be heading after just 2 games. I still can't believe how Aminu as come from no where though, the first 2 games. Its great.

I'm pissed that this guy is our "scorer" off of the bench but CANT SCORE... idk man that just angers me, I know he's a rookie, but scoring was supposed to be his strength and he was supposed to have to do better at the other stuff, we're a team that gets points on a premium and we need another scorer at the guard position since Gordon is out... Rivers was supposed to be the answer but he just cant get it done... i don't care how young he is, that's supposed to be his schtick

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Originally Posted by jawznola

I'm pissed that this guy is our "scorer" off of the bench but CANT SCORE... idk man that just angers me, I know he's a rookie, but scoring was supposed to be his strength and he was supposed to have to do better at the other stuff, we're a team that gets points on a premium and we need another scorer at the guard position since Gordon is out... Rivers was supposed to be the answer but he just cant get it done... i don't care how young he is, that's supposed to be his schtick

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2 games in, bro. Relax.

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Originally Posted by jawznola

I'm pissed that this guy is our "scorer" off of the bench but CANT SCORE... idk man that just angers me, I know he's a rookie, but scoring was supposed to be his strength and he was supposed to have to do better at the other stuff, we're a team that gets points on a premium and we need another scorer at the guard position since Gordon is out... Rivers was supposed to be the answer but he just cant get it done... i don't care how young he is, that's supposed to be his schtick

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Originally Posted by IamQuailman

2 games in, bro. Relax.

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Exactly. I also think his scoring ability was vastly over rated at Duke however. I think he'll grow into a good role here but it will take time. I hope not a ton of it.

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Originally Posted by jawznola

I'm pissed that this guy is our "scorer" off of the bench but CANT SCORE... idk man that just angers me, I know he's a rookie, but scoring was supposed to be his strength and he was supposed to have to do better at the other stuff, we're a team that gets points on a premium and we need another scorer at the guard position since Gordon is out... Rivers was supposed to be the answer but he just cant get it done... i don't care how young he is, that's supposed to be his schtick

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Hes more of a decoy now. He drives to the goal all the idiotic defenders tries to make a play then he dishes or his miss becomes a offensives rebound which turns into points. See? Seriously tho he just needs to finish, he gets open but don't finish. That will get better, he has it but has to unleash it.

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Originally Posted by nolaslim213

You can tell that he is a much more natural PG than SG in the NBA. He just creates with the ball in his hand, and he had 6 assists last game off the bench. Not bad. His scoring will increase as soon as he stops over-thinking everything.

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He has started the last 2 games as sg. I am happy with here he is passing/assist wise though.

You have got to give the guy some time. I think he should have stayed in school another year personally, but if he is gonna get better you will see it as the season progresses. I still think this team has an outside shot at the playoffs even if Gordon does not come back.

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Originally Posted by jawznola

I'm pissed that this guy is our "scorer" off of the bench but CANT SCORE... idk man that just angers me, I know he's a rookie, but scoring was supposed to be his strength and he was supposed to have to do better at the other stuff, we're a team that gets points on a premium and we need another scorer at the guard position since Gordon is out... Rivers was supposed to be the answer but he just cant get it done... i don't care how young he is, that's supposed to be his schtick

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Who gave him the title as our "scorer"? You may have assumed that, bt i doubt Monty was like, Austin we need 15 from you a night.

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Originally Posted by RaisingTheBrow

He has started the last 2 games as sg. I am happy with here he is passing/assist wise though.

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I peg starters at 30+ minutes, not who actually starts the game. Rivers has been averaging just over 26 minutes for us, so I'd consider that more of a "6th man" role. It's just semantics I guess. What really matters it that Rivers only plays with the ball in his hands for like 8 minutes a game, and that seems to be when he does most of his damage. I think you give him the ball at PG for 30 minutes a game, and he'll get you 6-9 dimes a game on average. Wait until he gets comfortable in the offense and used to the speed of the NBA game, and you'll see 15+ points.

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Originally Posted by Purple Haze

Exactly. I also think his scoring ability was vastly over rated at Duke however. I think he'll grow into a good role here but it will take time. I hope not a ton of it.

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I don't. In fact, I think he can be a much better scorer in the NBA because he'll have guys like Gordon, Davis, Anderson, Smith, etc. to take the pressure off of him. At Duke, he had absolutely no help offensively. Make him a 3rd or 4th option, and he'll thrive.

Okay, okay, I won't throw him under the bus until game five!

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Originally Posted by nolaslim213

I peg starters at 30+ minutes, not who actually starts the game. Rivers has been averaging just over 26 minutes for us, so I'd consider that more of a "6th man" role. It's just semantics I guess. What really matters it that Rivers only plays with the ball in his hands for like 8 minutes a game, and that seems to be when he does most of his damage. I think you give him the ball at PG for 30 minutes a game, and he'll get you 6-9 dimes a game on average. Wait until he gets comfortable in the offense and used to the speed of the NBA game, and you'll see 15+ points.

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I think he needs to start moving without the ball. I've been to both games, and when he doesn't have the ball in his hands, he stands at the 3 point line waiting which clearly isn't his shot right now by the few he's grazed the rim with. Rivers needs to do this to get himself some easy buckets.

The main problem with Rivers and why he's only had some success at driving is because hes not hitting any shots. If everyone knows you're going to the basket, they'll play you that way. The NBA will adjust to you faster than you'll adjust to it. Rivers needs to get his confidence back in his shot, and actually add the NBA 3 to his game. As soon as defenders have to compensate for his shot, he will start to blow by people again.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

I think he needs to start moving without the ball. I've been to both games, and when he doesn't have the ball in his hands, he stands at the 3 point line waiting which clearly isn't his shot right now by the few he's grazed the rim with. Rivers needs to do this to get himself some easy buckets.

The main problem with Rivers and why he's only had some success at driving is because hes not hitting any shots. If everyone knows you're going to the basket, they'll play you that way. The NBA will adjust to you faster than you'll adjust to it. Rivers needs to get his confidence back in his shot, and actually add the NBA 3 to his game. As soon as defenders have to compensate for his shot, he will start to blow by people again.

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Two great points. Dead on. His game will open up once he begins to knock down his jumper. And often times for shooters, the way in which they regain their confidence in their shoot is through easy buckets. And he's not getting those due to his inability to beat his man off the dribble (possibly injury related) and because he is not moving effectively off the ball (something he can learn in time).

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

I think he needs to start moving without the ball. I've been to both games, and when he doesn't have the ball in his hands, he stands at the 3 point line waiting which clearly isn't his shot right now by the few he's grazed the rim with. Rivers needs to do this to get himself some easy buckets.

The main problem with Rivers and why he's only had some success at driving is because hes not hitting any shots. If everyone knows you're going to the basket, they'll play you that way. The NBA will adjust to you faster than you'll adjust to it. Rivers needs to get his confidence back in his shot, and actually add the NBA 3 to his game. As soon as defenders have to compensate for his shot, he will start to blow by people again.

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Agreed. Good post.

We were in the bonus with 7.5 minutes left in the 4th. That's what Rivers can do.

When was the last time this has happened?

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Originally Posted by Soundwave

We were in the bonus with 7.5 minutes left in the 4th. That's what Rivers can do.

When was the last time this has happened?

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Exactly...last season, specifically Jack, would just brick jump shots in the 4th. I would constantly scream at them to just go to the hoop at the very least you'll draw fouls and keep their defense on their heels. Rivers is a big reason why Davis was able to get those free throws late in the 4th to keep it close in the Spurs game. Because Rivers put them in the bonus early. Thats an asset.

He has really looked like... Something so far. Still lots if time to turn it around though.

There is no doubt in my mind that Rivers will begin to put up points. The kid is a scorer and he will get on track in a big way.

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Originally Posted by sipclip

There is no doubt in my mind that Rivers will begin to put up points. The kid is a scorer and he will get on track in a big way.

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Can't wait to see that. If anything I thought scoring would be the easiest this for him in the NBA. He looks like a pg he is passing first. Thought it would be the other way around.

Rivers has the talent, it is there. But the most important thing is that he has amazing tenacity and will to succeed, this is something we should value in the face of the the whole Eric Gordon mess

I said it before and i say it again..........

Austin Rivers= Reggie Bush

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Originally Posted by Silverfoxx

I said it before and i say it again..........

Austin Rivers= Reggie Bush

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Please explain.

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Originally Posted by Mr. West

Please explain.

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I'd like an explanation as well because Reggie is killin it.

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Originally Posted by Mr. West

Please explain.

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Well, you see, Reggie plays football, and so does Aust..... oh wait... never mind. Okay, here's one, Reggie won a Heisman, and Austin also won a heis..... darn... that doesn't work either... Alright, I got it! Rivers came out as a Freshman, and Reggie came out as a Jun.... crap... I give up. I guess there's that whole scandal thing where Rivers got his ACC All-Freshman Team honor stripped from him because he accepted illegal cash from USC alumni. Yeah! There it is! Right? ..... right?

No no no...Ive got it. Austin Rivers wanted to come to new orleans, he was ecstatic for a New Orleans team to draft him, so was reggie. Wait...thats not it either is it?

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Originally Posted by Silverfoxx

I said it before and i say it again..........

Austin Rivers= Reggie Bush

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Is a Kardashian involved?

Rivers will be fine. He won't shoot 7% for the season. He's done decently from the line. He just needs to continue playing vs this tier of talent and get the best all the vets he faces will throw at him. The game will start to slow down for him, he'll find his pace and rhythm, and that funky shot will start to drop. Won't be marksman, but he'll be fine.

I look for flashes. Signs a player shows early that gives you an idea of his ultimate ceiling. I've seen enough to say that he won't be elite, but he'll be pretty good.

Now for Davis? It actually scares me how good he's gonna be. Because I'm scared to death of him getting hurt or something bad happening in general. He's a talent that, I think, will surpass what Chris Paul was for us. Because he has the mentality that can lead us to titles. I really believe that. Chris Paul always needed a running mate. And that's what holds him back even though it's what makes him great. It's a crazy paradox.

When your best players is dependent on his teammates to excel in a league so dominated by single players, it puts a strain on things.

Davis won't need others to depend on others to make shots off his assists or put the ball in his hands at his spots on the court. He's going to carry the team by just being as instinctively good as he is. Rather than almost literally putting them on his shoulders.

TL;DR version: I think Rivers will be just fine. Davis? He's going to be a player we tell kids about 20 years from now.

Assuming he isn't still playing then. He'd only be, what? 39?

Lopez is just so much better than we all expected... Rivers is playing better tonight too, I thinks bc Rip is slow and boozer is not as quick or big as other bigs...

Lopez, man... Beast

I don't think we've scored yet when we ran our offense through our big men using an isolation at the top of the key... That just doesn't work we always turn it over in that situation... Let the guards penetrate or get closer to the rim coach

Get him some rondo tape. Can't shoot either. But still very effective

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Originally Posted by Silverfoxx

I said it before and i say it again..........

Austin Rivers= Reggie Bush

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So as soon as he gets traded he'll start balling so hard?

Lol I think he's insinuating that Rivers won't live up to lofty expectations, like Bush hasn't. In other words, they are both "busts." Don't get me started on Bush, Saints fans. He was not a bust. People set way too high of a standard for him, we're talking HOF play, from year 1.

In Rivers' defense, it is extremely questionable to jump to that conclusion based off of two summer league games and three regular season games, in which he was not 100%.

The kid is 19. Give him some time to grow.

I thought Rivers played his best game tonight. He played within the pace of the game, didn't take too many silly shots, and changed his speed nicely to get by the defender a few times.

You have to love his agressiveness.

Looking at the rookies up to this point, Rivers is doing fine. The only players who are standing out so far has been Davis the Phenom and the NBA ready 22 year old Lillard. As long as he continue to progress at the pace of his class, we can't complain too much. Beal is struggling just as much as Austin with his shot. I think as long as he continues to develop his "overall" game, he's fine.

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Originally Posted by Nola Hornet

Looking at the rookies up to this point, Rivers is doing fine. The only players who are standing out so far has been Davis the Phenom and the NBA ready 22 year old Lillard. As long as he continue to progress at the pace of his class, we can't complain too much. Beal is struggling just as much as Austin with his shot. I think as long as he continues to develop his "overall" game, he's fine.

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Good point.

A lot of people, including myself, thought that Beal would excel at the NBA level from Game 1.

What I like that I've seen about Rivers so far is that he is so into every little aspect of the game. He squinched when he missed a free throw tonight, talked to himself a bit and then clapped and got excited when he made the next one.
He's trying to be good at all the little things and thats great because in the long haul improving on all the little things will pay off.

The shooting percentage WILL increase with time. He just hasnt found his nba stroke yet, but he will. Almost every players shot/layup gets better as their young career goes on.

To reiterate, Rivers is not 19. He's 20.

Carry on.

I'm losing confidence that his awkward shot mechanics will just improve and he can still use it. Whoever Blake Griffen worked with for his free throw mechanics, they need to get for Rivers long range shot.

He improves that, adds weight, and it will be D. Wade 2.0.