Austin Rivers Interview- Responds To Nepotism & Big Baby

Skip Bayless brings up the topic of favortism and the tension it brought to the locker room. You can tell he is very uncomfortable with the topic and his answers are quite shallow. He also goes on to bash Big Baby in defense of his father. He says he;s earned everything he's got and that what he earned, he earned on the floor. What he forgets, his dad gave him 20 minutes a game from the get go. I guess he forgot that part. No other young role player under Doc has ever been afforded that chance.

This also brings up a recent article where Doc is basically trying to chop down Kevin Durant for going to the team that beat him the year prior. Why in the hell is Doc putting his foot in his mouth again? What is wrong with Doc? Why does he talk Crap all the time? Why does he always talk Crap about the warriors? Why don't you worry your son who you personally saved his career? Both you and your son need to move on.

In his first year the job was pretty much vacant considering how bad Farmar and Cunningham were. On his 2nd season, he beat a 39 year old Pablo P on the depth chart which isn't really surprising. Pablo still had the brain but he was a step slower on everything else. He played combo guard with Felton last year. It's not like Austin held a young Isiah Thomas back. Heck Bullock or Wilcox were complete bust. So I do agree with him that he did earned his spot on the team.

Big Baby just fired back.. Dude hates the Rivers family with a passion

https://twitter.com/ClipperKyle/status/870095369547509760

There's hardly ever a need to respond to negative comments from a guy who is still known as "Big Baby" in his 30's. He's bored from being out of the league for 2 years, and has nothing better to do than hate on his old coach. I wish him all the best and hope he grows up someday.

Austin played around the same minutes with the Clippers that he did with the Pelicans before he was traded here. In Austin's first year here, he helped us win playoff games against the defending champion Spurs, and has steadily improved every aspect of his game ever since. He has more than earned his minutes on this team, regardless of his father being the coach. Suggesting otherwise is pure hate at this point.

If the Warriors lose to Cleveland, will Durant leave and go to Cleveland next year?

In his first year the job was pretty much vacant considering how bad Farmar and Cunningham were. On his 2nd season, he beat a 39 year old Pablo P on the depth chart which isn't really surprising. Pablo still had the brain but he was a step slower on everything else. He played combo guard with Felton last year. It's not like Austin held a young Isiah Thomas back. Heck Bullock or Wilcox were complete bust. So I do agree with him that he did earned his spot on the team.

Yep. He got minutes because he was the best player available. Pablo was a better PG, but was awful, repeat awful, on defense. Austin would have gotten another shot elsewhere, not sure why some think we were the only team that would give him a chance. Even the worst lottery picks move around for years before the league gives up on them.

Man this feud is getting UGLY. I can't imagine Ballmer being pleased about this nonsense.

Big Baby is a piece of sh*t but the Rivers family is getting too much headlines. I miss the days when the Clipps were about Blake and Lob City. If we don't get Melo or Jerry West on board CP3 might say screw the money and head to San Antonio

Remember when Doc was gift wrapped that Championship Celtics team? Imagine if KG and Ray decided not to join Boston and Doc was stuck with that god awful supporting cast. He probably would have gotten fired immediately and would have a hard time looking for a HC job. Other than that one ring, Doc's NBA coaching resume looks pathetic. And he managed to wiggle himself out of the Celtics' rebuild mode to conveniently inherit a talented Clippers team with assets and flexibility; those are foreign words these days. He singlehandedly drove this Clippers team to the ground. If CP and Blake bounce, and the Clippers are stuck with absolutely nothing with no hope in the near future(next 5 years) I would have to put Doc at the #2 spot on the Clippers wall of shame behind DTS. He's f***** the Clippers harder than Elton Brand did.

There are three separate points to this discussion. and they are not related.A player is paid a lot of money. He should NEVER be over weight and NEVER be late to practice. Naamy good players are early. Baby has no class.

Durant wad a choice of being a leader on an OK team and famous or being a "role player' and win a ring. This does not make him a coward. He and Westbrook supposedly didn't get along.

Austin was probably the worst guard in the NBA. We don't know if it was nepotism or not but I think there were better choices. It sounds like nepotism. Yes Pablo was a defensive sieve but the offense ran better when he was in .Austin however as worked his butt off to be a better player. He worked out with Sam C and he has come in early to work out worth JJ. He had a LONG way to go just to be mediocre. If he continues to work out over the summer, we may be surprised -or not.

Pretty sure Big Baby just put the nail in his sports analysis coffin. He'd made some appearances on radio and TV, and will likely get invited to one "Undisputed" segment because they're the new Maury Povich of Sports Television, otherwise he's essentially done. Hope it was worth it.

Hope Austin doesn't pay any mind to the hate, just use it as fuel. People will try to cut you down no matter who you are. People still try to cut down LeBron even though he is the greatest player of our generation.

Here's another interview. He comes across very well. Seems like a nice guy.

Here's another interview. He comes across very well. Seems like a nice guy.

Link

I'm really glad you posted this. This video demonstrates the difference between a professional (Colin Cowherd) and a troll (Skip Bayless). The producer who created First Take once admitted his credo: Embrace debate. If you've ever asked when watching Bayless, "Does he actually believe this, or is he just trying to troll?" the producer already answered it. He's intentionally inflammatory. That's why instead of asking Austin about basketball (Cowherd), he immediately stoops to "So people think you're a beneficiary of nepotism." He's just trying to make things uncomfortable, even when it's his invited guest.

Class act." I worked out with Irving". Ban the three and give each coach one replay per quarter. We will see the reincarnation of the Dream and Patrick Irving. Let them be physical. It's the PO's

I agree with Austin. I'm watching reruns of Forged in Fire. I may take a bladesmithing course in Texarkana but I will have to spend time in Arkansas. If I do you will get cheap good knives.

Austin got the chance but he also took advantage of the opportunity, so good for him. He is also correct about Big Baby who did eat his way out of the league.

Big Baby made himself look worse with his response, basically admitting that his weight and tardiness were issues, but worse is talking about wearing tight pants, what? That was just embarrassing.

Big baby is defensive in that video. I don't know why Austin is getting the flack here when big baby started this whole thing. And he's the one admitting that he was late a couple times and he is overweight.

Big baby didn't once say that Austin was lazy and Austin was late because he probably was there working hard and was on time. Big baby resorted to calling him the coaches son and his pants are tight. I mean come on bro. Whoever supporting big baby and hating on Austin here, come on man.

Big Baby lived up to his name.....................threw his toys out of the pram.

As far as Big Baby, he got what he deserved from what is visible to the public. He thought he was going to get the Paul Pierce treatment and didn't. Being late and out of shape for an NBA player should not be acceptable.

For Austin, I believe it was clear that he got some extra chances due being the coaches son. His first year I remember him shooting 3's and Mike Smith mentioned he was 1 for 21. Lance, C.J., C.D.R., Wes, Josh, Alan, and I'm probably missing a few would have all loved the slack Austin was given.

I agree with the criticism of Durant. Chasing a semi guaranteed ring to feed your ego is a weak move. If he wins a ring does that mean that he mysteriously became a better player than he would have been with another team? No. It's a weak move on his part and I don't want to see one tear drop coming out of Durant's eyeballs with the cliched " I worked so hard to get this" bs because he didn't. Any player could have jumped ship to the Warriors when Durant did and had approximately the same chances of winning a ring given what they had to give up to get him. He sold out OKC to take the easiest possible route. I'd love to see him go ringless with GS but the Dubs are and were so stacked that the odds are very slim of that happening. Talk about stacking the deck.

forgot where i read it but a player said that majority of the league is rooting against durant. he only said what everybody got on their mind. winning a ring with golden state proves absolutely nothing about Durant and adds nothing to his legacy

When Austin came to the Clippers, I felt he was given extra play time because he was the coach's son. He didn't play well and IMO there were others who should have been on the floor. He has proved over the years he is entitled to be in the position he is now by putting in extra practice, listening to Sam and improving his skills. I wish the other players would take heed and follow in his foot steps. Austin is fearless, determined, motivated and has the will to win.

What impresses me the most about Austin is he doesn't choke in games or at critical times.

Go Clips

The Nevada Fans

I agree with the criticism of Durant. Chasing a semi guaranteed ring to feed your ego is a weak move. If he wins a ring does that mean that he mysteriously became a better player than he would have been with another team? No. It's a weak move on his part and I don't want to see one tear drop coming out of Durant's eyeballs with the cliched " I worked so hard to get this" bs because he didn't. Any player could have jumped ship to the Warriors when Durant did and had approximately the same chances of winning a ring given what they had to give up to get him. He sold out OKC to take the easiest possible route. I'd love to see him go ringless with GS but the Dubs are and were so stacked that the odds are very slim of that happening. Talk about stacking the deck.

But who is Doc to comment about what another player does when what he did, was far worse? Why is Doc all mad? cause he never really gave us a shot at landing him? Sounds more like sour grapes than anything else. I have no problem people bashing Durant because I feel the same way. I want to see GS lose again more than anything else but that is neither here nor there...Doc should just stick to his Lane and worry about the next player he is going to lose based on those types of comments coming out the side of his neck. By the way, it's only one game but the best player on the floor was Durant. Just Say'n.

By the way, Doc is considered the first coach to "stack the Deck" in terms of getting 3 superstars in, or at the peak of their prime. That's how terms like "big three" was first conceived.

I think these guys count as big three's before the Doc Era.

Bucks (Ray Allen, Sam Cassell, Glenn Robinson)

Kings (When Bibby traded to Kings, Webber, Peja)

I'm sure there's a few more. But are you saying this was Hypocritical of Doc because he Stacked teams like what the Warriors did?

I think what Doc did is similar with different circumstances. Boston was a Marginal team at best when Allen and Garnett joined or was traded to Boston. That's another thing, He traded for Garnett, Garnett did not walk over to Boston.

The Warriors were a championship team already. I think people miss that point a lot. They could win without him, and what Durant did was basically an unspoken rule of "what not to do"... which is join the Enemy.

You can put a lot of doubts on that warriors win last year in OKC, I mean did Durant give that win to them in the last second? probably not but it is despicable and possibly true. What he did, is cowardly, and I don't think that can really compare to what Doc ever did.

And that's another thing, Coaches are suppose to want the best players. NO ONE is blaming Steve Kerr because he's "stacking"

We're all blaming Durant. Not Kerr.

So if anything, blame the players, not the coach. especially if they just walk over to a rival team because they can't win

But who is Doc to comment about what another player does when what he did, was far worse?.

Didn't see it, but I'd imagine Doc was talking as a former player/competitor. In his position, he probably should've passed on the question and taken the higher road. Could've been a lot worse though.

"The Warriors were a championship team already. I think people miss that point a lot. "

This.

This is what makes the difference from Doc's big 3 in Boston or LeBron's in Miami, this is why people have a problem with what Durant did. It just made the NBA less interesting, it added nothing unless you enjoy total dominance and lack of competition. Though I don't blame Durant from wanting to get away from Westbrook, cos if you ask me the guy is unhinged.

I'm sure we all agree Durant's move to the warriors was that of a female dog, but that's not the point. The point is, despite sharing the same opinion as the majority of non Goldenstate Warrior basketball fans, Doc Rivers has a responsibility to keep his focus on his team and what he can control, and therefore, should not have spoken up on the situation at all. I read an article that said Doc gave a "stale opinion of Durant joining the Warriors", and that's exactly what it is, stale. It's almost been a year since it happened so everyone needs to move on just like the basketball world had to move on from Deandre Jordan bailing on Mark Cuban and the Mavs.

Really, I think Doc's comments stem more from his absolute hatred for the Warriors, than any feelings he has towards Durant. The Warriors are our biggest and only real rival at this point (aside from Memphis) and they're scores ahead of us in terms of progress despite starting off as basically equals. I bet losing Durant to the Warriors, of all teams, hurts even more considering Doc went after Durant himself and failed. I'm sure the whole situation irks Doc, as it does us all, so I don't think anyone should really blame him for sounding bitter when the topic is brought up.

You are correct that the phrase "Big Three" came before the Celtics, the Celtics for some reason got associated with it in recent times that people seemingly forgot that it had been a thing for some time. The Spurs were considered to have a big three with Duncan/Manu/Parker. Dallas with Nash/Finley/Dirk was considered a big three:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/03/sports/basketball/03mavs.html

http://amarillo.com/stories/070304/nba_bignash.shtml#.WTIfqGjytEY

The Magic tried to form a McGrady/Hill/Duncan big three in the early 2000's.

Boston of course differs from Miami, or for example the Warriors adding Durant quite drastically because they got their group via trades. They traded a the 5th pick, Wally, Delonte and a 2nd for Ray Allen and then traded Jefferson, Gomes, Green, Ratlill, Telfair and two first round picks for KG, a deal some people suggest that McHale helped get for them, but it was a good haul if Minnesotta didn't suck at management. The Wolves of course wasted the lottery pick they got in the deal on Johnny Flynn at 6th, a pick many actually did feel they should have used on Curry who went 7th, but such is life. So it's not really the same situation since they gave up assets to get their players.

You forgot this part in my post:

" superstars in, or the peak of their prime".

Nash was literally broken down when he got to LA. Howard was on his decline. Same with Malone and Payton.

The Spurs were never labeled, "the big three" and while they certainly were the core for many years, there is only one Superstar in that bunch. Same for the mavs. Nash wasn't even a star when he was with the Mavs and Finely was just a great great role player. I guess the meaning of "the big three" has changed but when I hear that, I hear 3 top 10-15 players on one team. That is rarely done which is why the term is seldom used. The new CBA was partly created with the intention of preventing teams from assembling all the top players on one or two teams. With Boston and then Miami doing it, they thought some changes needed to be made to prevent that. Not that it worked to perfection, but they did have that in mind. If this was something that was common, it would have been addressed earlier, me thinks.

WOW, great post. Repped. You addressed exactly what I was getting at. He should not be addressing another player's decision. He should not come off as looking like a woman scorned. Especially when Durant didn't take Doc's advances when he tried to get him here. Too petty.

Bill Russel, Bob Cousey, Sam Jones<,KC Jones, Havlichek (stole the ball) Tommy Heinson, Lovette, Satch Sanders, Ramsey. This is not the Big Three, it's the Big Hall Of Famers.

Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, WIlt Chambelain

Somebody above said it correctly, watching the Dubs is not fun with KD. I would rather watch Was/Bos with Thomas. Just to reiterate, the first day of the season we give all the Dubs rings and declare them Champs. They then can play but their games don't count. I'd ALMOST prefer to watch the WNBA.

The Spurs were never labeled, "the big three" and while they certainly were the core for many years, there is only one Superstar in that bunch. Same for the mavs. Nash wasn't even a star when he was with the Mavs and Finely was just a great great role player. I guess the meaning of "the big three" has changed but when I hear that, I hear 3 top 10-15 players on one team. That is rarely done which is why the term is seldom used. The new CBA was partly created with the intention of preventing teams from assembling all the top players on one or two teams. With Boston and then Miami doing it, they thought some changes needed to be made to prevent that. Not that it worked to perfection, but they did have that in mind. If this was something that was common, it would have been addressed earlier, me thinks.

In the early 2000's, any team with three All-Star level players would get called a big three here and there. Nash was a star with Dallas though, he wasn't an MVP, but he was certainly a star. If you don't believe me, believe that he had 2 All-Star appearances voted by coaches and two All-NBA Third team placings before he went to Phoenix. Finley was a great role player with San Antonio, but the years Nash was in Dallas, Finley was a 21/5/4 player, even made two All-Star teams in 99-00 and 00-01. Manu didn't have the stats and accolades due to lower minutes and injuries, but he had superstar floor impact. SA's group was being called a big three, at least by their fans by 2005 and in broadcasts and in comparisons, that I know for sure.

Also forgot, but Nash/Marion/Amare got the label too. When the Celtics group first got together, people compared them asking which big three is better essentially between KG/Allen/Pierce vs Duncan/Manu/Parker vs Nash/Amare/Marion. Even weaker ones like Arenas/Butler/Jamison were recognized. I do get what you mean in that you are thinking more of a superstar big three, but the big three label was used much more liberally than you might be remembering.

Malone was hurt for the first time in his career and the doctors misdiagnosed his injury and he was worthless. He was still a brick wall and as mean as a snake. A healthy Malone may have made a difference.

Skip Bayless brings up the topic of favortism and the tension it brought to the locker room. You can tell he is very uncomfortable with the topic and his answers are quite shallow. He also goes on to bash Big Baby in defense of his father. He says he;s earned everything he's got and that what he earned, he earned on the floor. What he forgets, his dad gave him 20 minutes a game from the get go. I guess he forgot that part. No other young role player under Doc has ever been afforded that chance.

This also brings up a recent article where Doc is basically trying to chop down Kevin Durant for going to the team that beat him the year prior. Why in the hell is Doc putting his foot in his mouth again? What is wrong with Doc? Why does he talk Crap all the time? Why does he always talk Crap about the warriors? Why don't you worry your son who you personally saved his career? Both you and your son need to move on.

Link

It's no secret that i think Austin is a mediocre player who NO teams are interested in, and who only plays because of nepotism. The bench backcourt should have been Felton and Crawford

I never said Doc was a hypocrite because he stacked teams like the Dubs did. I am saying he's hypocritical for talking **** about the player he also wanted but lost. He basically called him weak for going to the team that gave him the best option to win a title...Just like Doc made the decision to cut and run away from Boston to come to a "sure thing" in Los Angeles. There are plenty other examples as to why Doc is a hypocrite but talking about an MVP and the choice he made in his career is a big "no no" when he literally saved his son's career. What makes him one of the biggest hypocrites is the fact, that in his mind, we're just as good as the Dubs when healthy which would make Durant just as weak if he decided to come here. But in Doc's eyes, it would have been a courageous move to come here. That is Doc for you. You see the "women scorned' in his comments about Durant.

My opinion is that Doc is still butt-hurt about not being able to move this team an inch in terms of playoff advancement and other top players don't see this team as a top premier destination to get a ring. I think he's finally realized that the Durant decision was the final nail in his coffin. There is virtually nothing he can do with the way he he has mucked up this team in terms of salary, lack of draft picks, and young players waiting on the wings. No matter what Doc does from here on out, he's a lame duck now. His decisions will have little to now effect in trying to dethrone the warriors but those same decisions can haunt the Clippers' future. That's what worries me the most. A desperate person doesn't always make the best decisions and, IMO, that is where Doc is at.

I do see what you're saying there, but what should he say when he's ask the Durant Question?? What would any rival say?

Durant signing with the warriors was the worst case scenario, not just for their rivals, but for the whole league. It pretty much guaranteed the NBA Trophy in their name. As a competitor, how is Doc suppose to feel?

What should Doc have said this year to the fans?:

"hey guys we have no chance this year, I suck as a GM, I am a mediocre Coach, I am a hypocrite"

Though I share that sentiment, I mean, really, that is how you become jobless. Whether we dislike or like Doc, whether he's a sitting duck or not, he is not suppose to be saying "oh yeah that's a good move by Durant, Good job, high five."

Your chances of winning just dipped to 5%. In a competitive stand point, hell yeah I am sour. I'm not going to be happy with that. Who should be?

Could Doc have handled himself better? absolutely. But even Mr. Class Act Poppovich, acts like a little girl when interviewed, and pop could have responded a lot better with the whole ZaZa Pachulia incident, but he did not. He had an outburst. Of course it was understandable.

But honestly, what could he have said? when asked the Durant question?? No one's happy about it. Except maybe the warriors organization. And Durant Himself.

I just hope at this point, LeBron beats them once in the finals.

and this is what was said:

Doc per bleacher report:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2712549-doc-rivers-says-it-was-tough-to-see-kevin-durant-join-warriors

"It is tough when you see a guy join a team�"in Durant’s case what he did this year. That was tough for anybody, anybody’s that’s competitive, to watch. He lost, and then he joined. Having said that, it was his choice, I have no problem with him, but it’s something from a competitive standpoint, you would think you wouldn’t do."

"I have no problem with him doing it, it’s just something from a competitive point, for me, I guess when I played it would have been tough for me to join Detroit. Having said that, he has the ability to do it, guys are doing it, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Everybody is frustrated. The Dubs , with one exception, is the greatest team ever. The Cousey/Russell Celtics with no three point shot (please God) hand checking etc could have beaten them. That's it. Durant would have been bent into a pretzel. The problem is that here is no competition.. With Bos it was always LAL. With the addition of Durant the Dubs have blown Cleveland out of the water. Can we say SALARY CAP. In years past the LAL just bought more players and didn't care it they were over the cap.

Everybody is frustrated. The Dubs , with one exception, is the greatest team ever. The Cousey/Russell Celtics with no three point shot (please God) hand checking etc could have beaten them. That's it. Durant would have been bent into a pretzel. The problem is that here is no competition.. With Bos it was always LAL. With the addition of Durant the Dubs have blown Cleveland out of the water. Can we say SALARY CAP. In years past the LAL just bought more players and didn't care it they were over the cap.

Boston chances of beating this GSW team would be low I'm afraid hand checking or not. Much better altheles today and way better shooters.

if my lime shrimp with mango and pears works I will post it .If you single guys cook this with a little white wine and some Marvin Gaye you will thank me. For you married guys, this dish and and a lot of grovelling should work when you f*ck up.

The Most Important Part. - Always pretend to be interested in what she has to say even if it's women's shoes. I love Scotch.

Boston chances of beating this GSW team would be low I'm afraid hand checking or not. Much better altheles today and way better shooters.

My one caveat about comparing generations is that you have to add two inches and maybe 10 pounds of muscle to compare the old with the new. Given that and getting rid of the three point shot the Celtics could win. .Steph would have simply been a good 2 point shooter. Oscar would have been 6'7' Russell would have been 7 feet. WIlt would have been 7' 4". Without that correction yes you are right. Add two inches to and Old School player an let them play physical, how long would would Duran last? The three has unfortunately changed the game.