2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog
Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Duke's Austin Rivers live up to the hype in the NBA? - June 15
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, carrying a heavy burden as he transitions to the next level.
"At the end of the day, basketball is something I've been playing my whole life," Rivers stated at the NBA Draft Combine. "It's a game. I have fun. I love it... I take it very serious [sic] but I understand that there's always tomorrow. I haven't been perfect in my career. I have a lot of ups and downs. You take the downs, you fix them, you flush them, and you keep moving forward."
That thought was almost certainly engrained in Austin's head by his father, Doc Rivers. That is not the only advice dad offered his son as Austin goes through the NBA Draft process.
"Stay hungry and humble," was another message Austin said he has taken from his dad. "Understand that this is a blessing to be here, just not to take anything for granted. Really go out there and work hard, show teams who you are truly. Don't try to be somebody you're not. Try to act real in interviews and if they choose you, that's the right fit for you."
Besides his father, Austin soaked in every piece of information he could from Duke head coach, Mike Krzyzewski. "It benefitted me a lot," Rivers said of his experience of playing for Coach K. "I can't tell you how much I learned over this past year. You just see things differently, how to read the defense, how to play defense, how to compete even more. I had to read pick and rolls, just little things like that. How to be a leader, how to talk to your teammates, how to bond, how to bounce back after a tough loss."
Rivers had a successful lone season at Duke, leading the team with 15.5 points per game and hitting an unforgettable game-winning shot in an impressive come from behind victory at North Carolina. He measured 6'5" in shoes at the Combine and weighed in at 203 pounds. Rivers is still a bit skinny by ideal NBA standards, and how he handles a more physical style of play in the NBA is a concern as he heads to the next level.
"It's going to be tougher. Guys are stronger, bigger, faster. At the same time, this is something I've been waiting for my whole life. I wouldn't have come out if I didn't feel like I was ready. This is my dream and I'm going to do everything I can to achieve my goals and work hard."
Possessing a natural feel for scoring the basketball in a variety of ways, Rivers is one of the top shooting guards in the 2012 class. He has incredible handles and thrives at creating for himself off the bounce. Getting better playing off the ball will be essential for him to reach his potential as a pro. He figures to go as high as No. 8 to the Toronto Raptors and definitely wouldn't fall past the Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 18.
"I feel very confident and really ready," Rivers said. "My scoring ability, my play-making ability, to get other people involved; I just feel like I'm ready to go out there and compete."
With all that tutelage and confidence (or maybe cockiness is the more appropriate term), Rivers appears to be mentally prepared for the pressures that will come with playing at the next level due to the name on the back of his jersey. If he can physically mature and get stronger, he should have a lengthy and successful career in the NBA just like his dad.
Recent NBA Draft and Offseason Blog Entries:
James Harden Trade Analysis - 10/29
What Will the USA Basketball Team Look Like at 2016 Summer Olympics? - 8/15
Dwight Howard Trade Analysis - 8/10
Restricted 2013 NBA Free Agents - 7/29
Unrestricted 2013 NBA Free Agents - 7/28
2012 NBA Offseason Winners - 7/23
2012 NBA Offseason Losers - 7/21
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/13
Outstanding 2013 NBA Draft Trades - 7/12
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/10
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/6
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/4
Atlanta Hawks' Trades Recap - 7/3
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/2
2012 NBA Draft Winners - 6/30
2012 NBA Draft Losers - 6/30
NBA Trade Analysis - 6/28
NBA Trade Analysis - 6/27
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Perry Jones - More Risk or Reward? - 6/26
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Henson One of NBA Draft's Most Overrated Players - 6/25
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Vanderbilt to See Three Commodores Taken in NBA Draft - 6/22
Wizards-Hornets Trade Analysis - 6/21
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Doron Lamb: Stepping out of Kentucky Shadows into NBA Draft - 6/20
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Memphis' Will Barton Sneak into 1st round of 2012 NBA Draft? - 6/19
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Baylor's Quincy Miller Made a Mistake by Entering NBA Draft - 6/16
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Duke's Austin Rivers live up to the hype in the NBA? - 6/15
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor Be a True NBA Point Guard? - 6/14
2012 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Breakdown - 5/30
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Winners - 3/19
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Losers - 3/18
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Five Players Likely to Be Traded - 3/8
2012 NBA Draft Outstanding Trades - 12/25
NBA Offseason and Draft Blog - Home
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2014 NBA Mock Draft - April 25
2013 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings: C | PF | COMBO-F | SF | COMBO-G | SG | PG
2011 NBA Mock Draft - June 23
2011 NBA Mock Draft - Walt's (June 21)
2011 NBA Mock Re-Draft
2010 NBA Mock Re-Draft
2009 NBA Mock Re-Draft
2011 NBA Draft Scouting Reports
2010-11 NBA Season Previews
2009 NBA Draft Grades
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
2 5 9
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Duke's Austin Rivers live up to the hype in the NBA? - June 15
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, carrying a heavy burden as he transitions to the next level.
"At the end of the day, basketball is something I've been playing my whole life," Rivers stated at the NBA Draft Combine. "It's a game. I have fun. I love it... I take it very serious [sic] but I understand that there's always tomorrow. I haven't been perfect in my career. I have a lot of ups and downs. You take the downs, you fix them, you flush them, and you keep moving forward."
That thought was almost certainly engrained in Austin's head by his father, Doc Rivers. That is not the only advice dad offered his son as Austin goes through the NBA Draft process.
"Stay hungry and humble," was another message Austin said he has taken from his dad. "Understand that this is a blessing to be here, just not to take anything for granted. Really go out there and work hard, show teams who you are truly. Don't try to be somebody you're not. Try to act real in interviews and if they choose you, that's the right fit for you."
Besides his father, Austin soaked in every piece of information he could from Duke head coach, Mike Krzyzewski. "It benefitted me a lot," Rivers said of his experience of playing for Coach K. "I can't tell you how much I learned over this past year. You just see things differently, how to read the defense, how to play defense, how to compete even more. I had to read pick and rolls, just little things like that. How to be a leader, how to talk to your teammates, how to bond, how to bounce back after a tough loss."
Rivers had a successful lone season at Duke, leading the team with 15.5 points per game and hitting an unforgettable game-winning shot in an impressive come from behind victory at North Carolina. He measured 6'5" in shoes at the Combine and weighed in at 203 pounds. Rivers is still a bit skinny by ideal NBA standards, and how he handles a more physical style of play in the NBA is a concern as he heads to the next level.
"It's going to be tougher. Guys are stronger, bigger, faster. At the same time, this is something I've been waiting for my whole life. I wouldn't have come out if I didn't feel like I was ready. This is my dream and I'm going to do everything I can to achieve my goals and work hard."
Possessing a natural feel for scoring the basketball in a variety of ways, Rivers is one of the top shooting guards in the 2012 class. He has incredible handles and thrives at creating for himself off the bounce. Getting better playing off the ball will be essential for him to reach his potential as a pro. He figures to go as high as No. 8 to the Toronto Raptors and definitely wouldn't fall past the Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 18.
"I feel very confident and really ready," Rivers said. "My scoring ability, my play-making ability, to get other people involved; I just feel like I'm ready to go out there and compete."
With all that tutelage and confidence (or maybe cockiness is the more appropriate term), Rivers appears to be mentally prepared for the pressures that will come with playing at the next level due to the name on the back of his jersey. If he can physically mature and get stronger, he should have a lengthy and successful career in the NBA just like his dad.
Recent NBA Draft and Offseason Blog Entries:
James Harden Trade Analysis - 10/29
What Will the USA Basketball Team Look Like at 2016 Summer Olympics? - 8/15
Dwight Howard Trade Analysis - 8/10
Restricted 2013 NBA Free Agents - 7/29
Unrestricted 2013 NBA Free Agents - 7/28
2012 NBA Offseason Winners - 7/23
2012 NBA Offseason Losers - 7/21
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/13
Outstanding 2013 NBA Draft Trades - 7/12
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/10
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/6
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/4
Atlanta Hawks' Trades Recap - 7/3
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/2
2012 NBA Draft Winners - 6/30
2012 NBA Draft Losers - 6/30
NBA Trade Analysis - 6/28
NBA Trade Analysis - 6/27
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Perry Jones - More Risk or Reward? - 6/26
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Henson One of NBA Draft's Most Overrated Players - 6/25
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Vanderbilt to See Three Commodores Taken in NBA Draft - 6/22
Wizards-Hornets Trade Analysis - 6/21
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Doron Lamb: Stepping out of Kentucky Shadows into NBA Draft - 6/20
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Memphis' Will Barton Sneak into 1st round of 2012 NBA Draft? - 6/19
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Baylor's Quincy Miller Made a Mistake by Entering NBA Draft - 6/16
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Duke's Austin Rivers live up to the hype in the NBA? - 6/15
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor Be a True NBA Point Guard? - 6/14
2012 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Breakdown - 5/30
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Winners - 3/19
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Losers - 3/18
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Five Players Likely to Be Traded - 3/8
2012 NBA Draft Outstanding Trades - 12/25
NBA Offseason and Draft Blog - Home
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SunsFan
07-06-2012
02:18 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.183
(total posts: 1)
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Why the MOTHERF U C KING LAKERS!!!!!NASH WHY!!!!
CJ
07-05-2012
07:11 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx6.44
(total posts: 4)
78
30
Again Banks is clueless, claiming Eric Gordon has already re-signed with New Orleans.
Also the 'Clippers' weren't involved in the Marvin Williams/Devin Harris trade. Does this guy even proof read anything he writes? Atrocious.
abe
07-05-2012
08:39 am
xxx.xxx.xxx1.87
(total posts: 1)
19
12
walt eric gordon is signing with the suns not the hornets
Ben Wallace
07-04-2012
06:54 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.153
(total posts: 1)
26
71
To be totally honest, Henson and Zeller wouldn't be any better than Meyers Leonard. They are all going to bust.
C-3PO
07-04-2012
05:27 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.234
(total posts: 1)
21
9
Eric Gordon signed an offer sheet with the Suns dumb @ss, New Orleans has yet to match that offer, so he didn't resign like you said.
Geiger
07-03-2012
07:03 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx3.66
(total posts: 2)
27
10
The Nets are not out of the running for Dwight and are offering a package of Humphris, Lopez and Brooks with draft picks..Its sad to even hear the Nets entertain that idea, but it very well could happen.
A team to look out for is the Lakers..an offer of Bynum, Artest and the Odom exception for Howard and Turkaglus monster contract is a win-win for both teams.
Geiger
07-03-2012
07:03 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx3.66
(total posts: 2)
12
9
The Nets are not out of the running for Dwight and are offering a package of Humphris, Lopez and Brooks with draft picks..Its sad to even hear the Nets entertain that idea, but it very well could happen.
A team to look out for is the Lakers..an offer of Bynum, Artest and the Odom exception for Howard and Turkaglus monster contract is a win-win for both teams.
@CJ
07-03-2012
04:33 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.104
(total posts: 1)
16
121
So basically you're asking Walt to fire one "clueless" dumbass for another? lol Whats the point?
Rise Above
CJ
06-30-2012
04:54 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx6.44
(total posts: 4)
213
107
Paul Banks, yet again showing how clueless he is. Almost every other draft analyst has the Rockets' with a positive ranking. This clown does understand that the Rockets are likely to make trades, with all the assets they've compiled?
I agree that Meyers Leonard is probably going to be a bust, but you can't call Portland a 'loser' for stealing the 6th pick from the Nets. How about a 'loser' ranking for the Cavs for reaching so much for Dion Waiters? Or trading all their other picks for another likely bust in Tyler Zeller? But Banks has a 'man crush' (not that there's anything wrong with that) on Waiters, so he'd never mark the Cavs down. Fire this guy Walt, I'll work for free!
Ben
06-25-2012
09:00 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.254
(total posts: 1)
10
23
So....Henson is overrated because he has trouble keeping and putting on weight and strength. And you stated that size and strength is everything in the nba for a big. But....isn't Davis just as if not more lanky and undersized than Henson....? And Henson is only one year older and both have similar wingspans? Just a thought..
@Live
06-22-2012
10:10 am
xxx.xxx.xxx6.15
(total posts: 1)
11
8
You are an idiot, you apparently don't know how basketball trades work, its all about salary dumping. IN the NBA you are either rebuilding, championship contender, or youar e going to stay consistently medicore. They were never going ot win a championship with Okafor and Ariza taking up that much money on their books.
Live
06-22-2012
04:28 am
xxx.xxx.xxx3.80
(total posts: 1)
8
70
Washington - B
Hornets - Big fat F Sure the Hornets is going to waive Lewis and relieve cap space to sign Gordon to a longer deal and draft Anthony Davis but so what! They let go a great defensive guy that can hit 3s here and there. They got NOTHING in return for Ariza and Okafor but a 2nd rounder. I didn't like what the Hornets got in return and it was a bad deal IMO.
Vince
06-19-2012
04:03 am
xxx.xxx.xxx3.99
(total posts: 1)
42
8
It was a play on words, not a pun. More importantly, know who else couldn't bench press 185 pounds at the NBA Combine? This one player called Kevin Durant.
Ben
04-15-2012
09:06 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx7.65
(total posts: 1)
29
20
I like how only one of these players actually got traded
Omar
03-23-2012
04:20 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx6.60
(total posts: 1)
14
14
its a good thing i was wearing sartight white with built in neon when i went to the Super bowl. they almost didnt let me on the field:) and on a side note.. i feel bad for Slash:/
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2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2014 NBA Mock Draft - April 25
2013 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings: C | PF | COMBO-F | SF | COMBO-G | SG | PG
2011 NBA Mock Draft - June 23
2011 NBA Mock Draft - Walt's (June 21)
2011 NBA Mock Re-Draft
2010 NBA Mock Re-Draft
2009 NBA Mock Re-Draft
2011 NBA Draft Scouting Reports
2010-11 NBA Season Previews
2009 NBA Draft Grades
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
2 5 9
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