New York Knicks: The emerging importance of Austin Rivers
By Chip Murphy
Why Austin Rivers is such a great fit
Rivers is a perfect fit in New York. This is more than a cliche about his dad being a former Knick. Rivers is not afraid of the big moment, he’s a gunner off the bench, and he has the gift of being able to get under the opponent’s skin.
The guy caused a secret underground tunnel fight while watching the game from the sideline in a walking boot. He learned from the best. As a teenager, Rivers challenged Kevin Garnett to games of one-on-one.
Nobody wanted Rivers in New York more than head coach Tom Thibodeau. Thibodeau — an assistant of Doc in Boston — goes way back with Austin. There’s clearly strong mutual respect and trust between player and coach.
Rivers managed to win over Knicks fans before he ever stepped on the court. There was a rare sincerity behind his words when he spoke as a free agent coming to New York. Instead of speaking in cliches — dogs, anyone? — Rivers talked about the appeal of playing in the Mecca with meaning.
Via Marc Berman of The New York Post:
"“We’re caught in an era where everyone likes riding a wave,’’ Rivers said over Zoom. “People want to go to places that are already on the rise and going to franchises that are already doing really well. And people have lost interest in going somewhere and making something great again. I don’t understand someone not wanting to play for a city like New York. I just don’t get that. I don’t understand that.”"
Despite his early affection among Knicks fans, Rivers has been a target of ridicule since entering the league.
The 28-year-old spoke about his perceived reputation in a January 2019 interview with The Undefeated’s Marc Spears. Rivers said he thinks he gets a bad rap in the NBA for two reasons: he played for his father and plays with a chip on his shoulder.
On playing for his father:
"People don’t know how to react to that. I talk s— hooping, just like every other player in the league. But people are like, ‘Oh, he’s arrogant.’ It’s because my last name is Rivers. But I do everything everyone else does. I grind. I work my butt off. The only reason is because I played for my pops."
It’s hard to read something like that and not change your opinion of Rivers. His loyalty and work ethic make him a guy you’d love to have on your team. A fan tried to give Rivers a hard time with the witty insult, “your dad sucks at coaching.” When the fan was confronted, he immediately backed down.
On playing with a chip on his shoulder:
"And what people don’t understand is, I had to have that or else I wouldn’t be here. There’s a reason why most coaches’ sons and players’ sons don’t make it to the NBA. You’re born with everything. You’re born spoiled. So I didn’t have to grind for nothing."
All the best players have a chip on their shoulder. Watch The Last Dance if you don’t believe it. Or check out a show on The Steph Curry Revenge Tour. I’m sure Tom Thibodeau is hoping some of New York’s young guys will pick up habits from Rivers.