Is there any real reason why Rivers cannot play Roberts' role next year?

[Purple Haze]

Some might find this thread amusing or counter intuitive since I've been pushing drafting Burke if we're out of the top five draft range (and I'm still leading that train, got my conductors hat on and everything), but hear me out.

Save for a few supporters (Monty notwithstanding), we can all agree that Roberts is hardly an NBA player much less a quality backup, yes? I think that's safe to assume, but if not you can stop reading right now.

Let's take a look at some stats from this year:

Roberts:

14.4 MPG
6.6 PPG
2.2 APG
5.98 PER

41% FG
37% 3PT
92% FT

Rivers:

23.3 MPG
6.2 PPG
2.1 APG
5.46 PER

35% FG
32% 3PT
55% FT

Now we all know just how horrid Rivers' start was. He has brought up his percentages slightly and I think we can all agree that he's improving. Even with the slow start his arc % and PER almost match Roberts, albeit not playing the same role.

Now a little bit more in depth:

Roberts: http://www.hoopdata.com/player.aspx?...rian%20Roberts

Rivers: http://www.hoopdata.com/player.aspx?...ustin%20Rivers

Biggest thing to grasp from most of the advanced stats: Rivers is markedly better defensively. Which I think we all knew. He's as quick if not quicker than Roberts down court, quicker laterally, and plays screens better. In addition is Defensive Rebound Rating is around 25% higher.

Add to that the fact that he has not in the last 77 minutes of playing turned the ball over once.

In closing I want to reiterate that I think Burke should be our pick if we're picking 7-10 or so. He would be perfect in the backup 1 role and have tons of time to learn behind Vasquez before either GV leaves or he simply outplays GV for the starting spot. But if McLemore, Oladipo or Smart are there when we pick, Rivers is the answer at backup point and the same situation could unfold.

[Spaniard]

Forget next year. This is what everyone has been screaming for this year. Fact is, the offense runs better when Austin initiates it. Which isn't surprising considering Roberts doesn't initiate anything but his own shot.

[Mr. West]

Roberts would be a solid injury insurance 3rd string combo guard. Rivers is already better than Roberts this year though IMO, and by next year he should have passed Roberts by a good margin.

[Eman5805]

I've seen MORE than enough to say Rivers should be getting every single minute as the main ball handler whenever he's on the floor. Even when Gravy is on the floor at times.

[RaisingTheBar]

I've seen MORE than enough to say Rivers should be getting every single minute as the main ball handler whenever he's on the floor. Even when Gravy is on the floor at times.

I honestly don't see why rivers and davis arent above 30mpg

[DC-Hornet]

I don't understand why you guys are so in love with Rivers. He's terrible! No left-hand, no range and he looks tiny. I thought this kid was suppose to be able to jump out of the gym. I have yet to see that explosive ability.

[BallSoHard]

I don't understand why you guys are so in love with Rivers. He's terrible! No left-hand, no range and he looks tiny. I thought this kid was suppose to be able to jump out of the gym. I have yet to see that explosive ability.

Rivers playing Roberts role is being in love with him ?

[AD23nEG10]

Roberts is an ideal 3rd PG... not a backup. probably even better off the ball and let Rivers run the point and Roberts spot up

[DC-Hornet]

Roberts is an ideal 3rd PG... not a backup. probably even better off the ball and let Rivers run the point and Roberts spot up

IMO, our wings are terrible outside of Gordon. Roberts is the best option we have at the backup PG spot. Monty can see that... And yes, there is a love affair with Rivers. I don't understand it. He is a kid without a position. He doesn't have the ball handling skills to be a PG (all he has is his "AND 1" crossover) or the shooting ability to be a SG or size to play anything else.

[The JNR]

IMO, our wings are terrible outside of Gordon. Roberts is the best option we have at the backup PG spot. Monty can see that... And yes, there is a love affair with Rivers. I don't understand it. He is a kid without a position. He doesn't have the ball handling skills to be a PG (all he has is his "AND 1" crossover) or the shooting ability to be a SG or size to play anything else.

Seems like you hate him more than we love him.

I don't think Roberts is significantly better than Rivers at anything. At least the ball moves when Austin has it. Roberts only tries to get himself going.

[Silverfoxx]

IMO, our wings are terrible outside of Gordon. Roberts is the best option we have at the backup PG spot. Monty can see that... And yes, there is a love affair with Rivers. I don't understand it. He is a kid without a position. He doesn't have the ball handling skills to be a PG (all he has is his "AND 1" crossover) or the shooting ability to be a SG or size to play anything else.

Austin will make u eat your words in 2 years. Austin is my homie!

[WhoDatPelican]

IMO, our wings are terrible outside of Gordon. Roberts is the best option we have at the backup PG spot. Monty can see that... And yes, there is a love affair with Rivers. I don't understand it. He is a kid without a position. He doesn't have the ball handling skills to be a PG (all he has is his "AND 1" crossover) or the shooting ability to be a SG or size to play anything else.

man you gotta stop eating these things...they'll kill ya.

[DC-Hornet]

Seems like you hate him more than we love him.

I don't think Roberts is significantly better than Rivers at anything. At least the ball moves when Austin has it. Roberts only tries to get himself going.

Hate him??? I don't know him to hate him. However, I do know that he is not ready for the NBA. Sorry I'm not drinking the Kool-Aid.

[DC-Hornet]

man you gotta stop eating these things...they'll kill ya.

LOL! I guess that's the best you can do. No good points to support your argument so just call me hater. Brilliant...

[WhoDatPelican]

LOL! I guess that's the best you can do. No good points to support your argument so just call me hater. Brilliant...

Yea we've never debated Austin Rivers' talents on this site before...... This is the first time all season someone brought it up. Ground breaking stuff here

[DC-Hornet]

Yea we've never debated Austin Rivers talents on this site before...... This is the first time all season someone brought it up. Ground breaking stuff here

True. But I didn't start this thread. ;-)

[WhoDatPelican]

True. But I didn't start this thread. ;-)

No you did not but you did click on it to come hate on him, hence the responses you received.

[The JNR]

I gave my point. The reason I think you hate him is because you must hate him to think Roberts is better. At least with Rivers, the potential for improvement is there. I don't see it in Roberts. To me, which I know is my opinion, Roberts isn't nearly as good as Rivers. I'd much rather Austin run our point off the bench.

[BallSoHard]

I don't think anyone has professed their love for AR though. I think people love him versus Roberts all day, but in general people have been down on him. He's starting to show flashes (finally) and people are starting to cling on that a bit, but i don't recall anyone saying AR is going to be an All star.

[The JNR]

I don't think anyone has professed their love for AR though. I think people love him versus Roberts all day, but in general people have been down on him. He's starting to show flashes (finally) and people are starting to cling on that a bit, but i don't recall anyone saying AR is going to be an All star.

Silvefoxx did.

[Miss_318]

Silvefoxx did.

Yeah but he did specify that it would take some years before that happend. LOL

[BallSoHard]

Silvefoxx did.

After he posted about people being in love with him, not before.

[Miss_318]

But seriously I think next year you see a much improved Austin. I don't think he'll light the world on fire but I'll think Monty will trust him more to run the point full time with the 2nd unit. Roberts is 27 years old. Aint no upside left in him.....

[JJackisangry]

True. But I didn't start this thread. ;-)

You might not like Austin or you might think hes terrible. Fair enough. If your acting like hes not improving your just as ignorant as the people you criticise; if not more so. There are maybe a couple of ppl touting Rivers to be great, so i dont know where your love afair BS applies. The thing that Im noticing is Rivers is learning to play off the ball a little better as well as his improved finishing. Before he would really struggle to get involved without having the ball in his hands. Now he actually takes some shots even if he doent get too mant touches. He just gotta keep working at it.

[JJackisangry]

And yes i believe in this kid. His on ball defense looks good and he is only 20. He has plenty of room to improve.