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Due to his father being a former collegiate All-American, NBA veteran, and title winning head coach; Duke‘s Austin Rivers has been in the national spotlight for quite some time. The Blue Devil shooting guard chose to enter the 2012 NBA Draft after just one season in college and carries a heavy burden as he transitions to the next level.
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As you obviously know, former Duke Blue Devils guard Austin Rivers is the son of former NBA point guard and current Boston Celtics coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers. As such, Austin will be better prepared for the transition to the NBA life than other league prospects. As you might expect, the topic of his Dad came up quite a bit at the combine
The Sports Bank’s Ngozi Ekeledo stopped by the 2012 NBA Draft Combine’s Media Day and talked to the Duke star about getting a little help and advice from his famous NBA father.
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This is the second time now that I have had to write about the referees in the playoffs. And again, it’s about their lack of judgment during a game. What happened last night was an absolute atrocity. During Game 1 between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, Boston was called for three (yes, I said “three”) technical fouls in the second quarter. Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and head coach Doc Rivers were called for technical fouls. And all these techs have something in common: it was completely unnecessary. 
Well, here is the Miami Heat for the second year in a row: the Eastern Conference Finals. All of us know how last year ended for the Heat: a 4-2 NBA Finals loss to Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks. Last year, the Heat beat the Boston Celtics in the second round of the NBA playoffs, 4-1. But it’s a new year and, probably, the last time the Boston’s “Big Three + Rondo” will ever be together. So what are we to expect from these two teams with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line? Let’s take a look.
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There has been nothing pretty about the series between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics. The past few games have been rather rough to watch. Both teams have scored less than 20 points in a quarter in 17 times so far in this series. And we are going to a Game 7, back in Boston on Friday night. This series has been trademarked by great (and I mean great) defense and struggling offenses, due to the great defense.
I know the last few years have been down-right dreadful for fans of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Our last few draft picks (Wes Johnson and Derrick Williams) haven’t panned-out, so far or yet. But, Ricky Rubio brought a spark this season before his ACL injury. He lit-up Target Center with his maestro passing skills and non-matador-esque defensive ability that most of his teammates (Michael Beasley) have shown the past few years. He might just be the beginning of a Minnesota-turnaround, though.
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Kobe. Jordan. Dwight Howard. Derrick Rose. Before they went on to NBA greatness, they all played in it, the nation’s premier high school all-star game. Tonight, the United Center– home of the Chicago Bulls will host the 2011 McDonald’s All-American Game. The Michael Jordan statue outside the UC is adorned with MJ’s jersey from his appearance in the 1981 game.
What should you expect? Well, it’s an All-Star game so not much defense; but also a fun, laid-back atmosphere. It’s a chance to see the nation’s best incoming college basketball freshmen, who will also probably comprise half the 2012 NBA Draft Lottery. The #1 rated recruit Austin Rivers, a Duke commit and son of Chicago playground legend, ex-NBA star and current Boston Celtics Coach Doc Rivers will suit up for the West team.
By Paul M. Banks
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Last night, Duke super-recruit Austin Rivers, the number one overall prospect in the class of 2011, rocked the McDonald’s All-American Game skills competition known as Powerade Jam Fest. What event elicited the loudest roar from the crowd at the Chicago State Convocation Center? Austin revealing his warm-up to display his father’s old school Atlanta Hawks #25 jersey while competing in the dunk competition.
The gesture signified how close the father-son duo truly is.
“We have a normal father-son relationship, I go to him for the same things that a kid would go to his father,” Austin said about his Dad Glenn “Doc” Rivers.
“But when it comes to basketball, I do go to him a lot because he knows the game well. He does coach me at times, but he never forces me or pushes me.”
By Paul M. Banks
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Wednesday night, the McDonald’s All-American game hits Chicago, and with it a showcase of the greatest high school talent in the country. Which means you’ll also see the best freshmen in next year’s college basketball season on display; as well as a few lottery picks in the 2012 NBA Draft.
And there’s no bigger name than Austin Rivers, a Duke Blue Devils commit that who has taken home the Morgan Wooten Player of the Year Award and the Parade Magazine POY. Rivers talked about why he choose Duke.
“I just looked at a school that fit in with my style of play, and I developed a great relationship with Coach K.,” Rivers said. ”
And I could see myself getting better as a person and a player.”
By Paul M. Banks
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Rajon Rondo is “playing hurt”, says Kevin Garnett. “No, he’s fine – nothing’s wrong,” says Doc Rivers. So, who is telling the truth about Boston Celtics point guard? Should we believe a teammate or the coach? It’s a tough call, but maybe Kevin’s let slip a little too much detail while Doc is making a belated attempt at damage limitation.
If Rondo is injured, the last thing Celtics coach Rivers wants opponents to know is that very fact. Rivers was yesterday asked by a journalist if Garnett was wrong to state that the 25-year-old Kentuckian was unfit and provided a terse: “Yeah, he is.”
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It was a day of mixed results for Glenn “Doc” Rivers, the Head Coach of the Boston Celtics. The Chicago native returned home to be with (and congratulate) his son Austin Rivers, as he was named winner of the 2011 Morgan Wootten Player of the Year Award today for his accomplishments on and off the court. He is after all, the #1 college basketball recruit in the nation (headed to Duke).
Obviously, that’s the highlight of his day. Here’s the bad.
With the Chicago Bulls (48-18) win over the Washington Wizards, his Boston Celtics (47-18) are now currently seeded #2 in the NBA‘s Eastern Conference.
By Paul M. Banks
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Austin Rivers, the #1 college basketball recruit in the nation (headed to Duke) was named winner of the 2011 Morgan Wootten Player of the Year Award today for his accomplishments on and off the court.
Rivers, the 6-3, 200 lb. prep star from Winter Park High School in Winter Park, Fla. has been selected as first-team All-State since his freshman year. Rivers is the son of Boston Celtics coach and 1980 McDonald’s All American Glenn “Doc” Rivers. The pair represents only the second father/son duo in the event’s history behind Milt Wagner (1981) and son Dajuan Wagner (2001). “Doc” Rivers, the Head Coach of the Boston Celtics, currently seeded #2 in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, made the trip to Chicago today to surprise and congratulate his son at the official press conference.
Rivers became the fifteenth winner of the annual male Morgan Wootten Award. Previous winners include Harrison Barnes (2010), Kevin Love (2007), Dwight Howard (2004), LeBron James (2003), Jason Williams (1999) and the award’s first recipient Shane Battier (1997). Rivers beat out finalists Anthony Davis (Perspectives Charter School – Chicago, Ill.), Michael Gilchrist (St. Patrick High School – Elizabeth, N.J.) and James McAdoo (Norfolk Christian – Norfolk, Va.).
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