Fansided

Austin Rivers throws some shade at Team USA players

By Kyle Franzoni

May 8, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) controls the ball against the Houston Rockets during the second half in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) controls the ball against the Houston Rockets during the second half in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Team USA showcase didn’t leave much of an impression on Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers has yet to truly establish himself in the NBA, but that hasn’t stopped the coach’s son from opening his mouth and promptly sticking his foot in it.

Speaking out after the Team USA showcase game on Thursday night, Rivers didn’t hold much back when he asserted that he felt he was better than anyone on the floor.

Those are some pretty impressive words for Rivers. Perhaps he was bolstered by the fact that the line-ups featured some rather unimpressive names like C.J. Watson, Amir Johnson, or Michael Carter-Williams, but he also fails to note that there were some pretty big dudes out there like DeMarcus Cousins and Andre Drummond who will certainly remember those words when he comes crashing down their lane next season.

Let’s consider Rivers’ body of work for a minute before we even pay any credence to his claims.

Since being drafted 10th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, Rivers has appeared in exactly 206 games in three seasons and started just 35 of them. In those 206 games, he’s averaged all of 21 minutes, 7.0 points, 2.1 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per night. Even after being traded midseason to play for his father, Doc Rivers, with the Clippers, Rivers still started just 2-of-41 games, chipping in 7.1 points and 1.7 assists as the team’s back-up point guard.

That’s not typically the kind of performance one bases trash talk off of, nor will it hold up much weight with the dudes he was referring to. Rivers would be much better off letting his play do the talking and working on getting himself ready for the 2015-16 season rather than giving guys more incentive to shut him down.

Rivers is still young and still has time to establish himself in the league. However he isn’t going to endear himself to opponents, or teammates for that matter, by taking to social media and proclaiming himself king of the hill without the resume to back it up.

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