The Rivers Run Through LA Clippers With Doc And Austin
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Austin Rivers joined new coach Doc Rivers with the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, and he made it clear he's not expecting any favors from dear old dad.
The 22-year-old guard averaged 6.8 points, 2.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds off the bench in 35 games with New Orleans. The Pelicans were 13 1/2 games back in the West standings Friday night, while the Clippers were 6 1/2 behind before they hosted Cleveland.
Austin Rivers is the first player in NBA history to play for his father as coach.
"History, oh, great," Doc said. "I don't really care about that. I want to win and make our team better."
So does his son.
"I was really excited because this is a playoff, championship-caliber team," Austin said. "I can score the ball and play make. That's something the team needs in the second unit."
The younger Rivers said he and his father have always done their own things basketball-wise, so he never expected to one day be coached by his dad.
"Now that I am his coach, he has to actually listen to me," Doc joked. "He's probably thinking any kid will listen to their parent if they pay them."
Austin was traded to Boston on Monday, and the Celtics immediately dealt him to the Clippers.
"He fits our team," Doc said. "My job is to do what is best for the team. He's young. That's one of the reasons we wanted him."
His father called Austin to gauge his thoughts on the possibility of coming West.
"I don't know what tampering is when you're talking to your son," the elder Rivers said.
Austin said: "The first thing I did was call my mom. She was a wreck the first night."
Kris Rivers wondered aloud about how various situations would go. Doc said his wife gave him her blessing, but if she gets upset about how her son is treated, he said, "I am not prepared for that."
Austin is named after former Notre Dame and Cavaliers star Austin Carr, who shared a hug with Doc before the game. Austin was born in Santa Monica.
Austin isn't worried about the reaction in the locker room or his father showing any favoritism to him.
"When I was 5 years old, we played checkers, and he would not let me win," Austin said. "My dad would never, ever play me over someone else. I know Chris (Paul) and Blake (Griffin) are the leaders."
The rest of the Rivers' siblings encouraged him to join them in Los Angeles, where sister Callie works and Jeremiah and Spencer often turn up at Clippers games.
"They were like, 'I think you should do it because it's a great opportunity for you,' " Austin said. "I couldn't say no."
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