Quick question... Is there a reason we couldnt groom Rivers into the same mold as Westbrook. Westbrook played shooting guard in college as well and was converted to PG. Rivers would then be a 6'5 pointguard with ball handling skills and explosiveness. The only thing he would have to work on really is his court vision and defense. But even then Westbrook's courtvision isn't that great either. Then draft Terrence Ross with the 16th pick. Dragic/Rivers or reverse the two Martin/CLee or move Ross to the 2 if we trade martin Parsons/Ross DMo/Patterson Camby/Dalembert
Not saying he's Westbrook but what does Westbrook do well and what does Rivers do well? And what dont they do? At the end of the day it seems as though they play almost the same style.
Like how one was considered a lockdown defensive beast out of college and the other needs to work on it?
But Austin Rivers explosiveness is better than alot of other point guards in this league.. So he can get to the rim. And his crossover is deadly too
They're not saying Rivers cant play defense just that he loses his focus when he's on the defensive end. If he showed more interest i'm sure he'd be a pretty good defender.
In my opinion Harden and Durant make Westbrook's point guard job easier and cover/make up for some of the mistakes he makes. Also if you notice, when Harden is on the game he has the ball about 50% of the time.
Rivers is the 4th ranked SG in the draft. Westbrook is a physical prodigy and I really doubt that even Beal or Lamb have his level of talent. Rivers does not have the court vision to play the point.
He is the 3rd easily, and possibly 2nd on draft day when Lamb slips. Most people like Beal, but I think he will be a bust. My order: Lamb Rivers Beal Actual order on draft: Beal Rivers Lamb
One thing about RB, once he loses that ELITE athleticism and simply becomes a good athlete his career will be over. His whole game is predicated on exploding for that midrange jumper. Once he loses that edge, he becomes defendable by all the swing man defenders. He'll be done because the rest of his game is below average.
He's got plenty of time before he has to worry about that, barring major injury. You're also assuming he won't continue to develop as a player. In time, he could learn to make better decisions and take better care of himself. He reminds me of Dwyane Wade when he came into the league. Drive to the basket, usually end up on the ground lol.
I think you can compare them in the sense that they both may be able to make the switch, but there style of play is very different. And despite what people think, rivers has the size of a SG
He has the size of both. Big PG or small SG i'd take the former. I think i'm just looking at a different picture than everyone else. But I know if I was Tony Parker or CP3 I would hate to guard someone as quick as me, as good of handles as me, can shoot just as good as me, and is 4 or 5 more inches TALLER than me. SG I think in the league would eat Rivers alive they're stronger bigger and just as fast.
^ Agree. I think the ideal place for Rivers to go to is Philly where they already have playmaking wings to see the floor and run the offense. Personally I think he'd be a big upgrade to their mini-me version of JR. Smith (Lou Williams).
