Given that two of their three top players have been unable to play due to injury, the Denver Nuggets are clearly not enjoying the season they had hoped for.

Denver has managed to stay afloat this season, sitting in sixth place in the Western Conference with a 28-24 record.

In the absence of others, some players have had to play more than they typically do during their careers. Austin Rivers is a player on the Nuggets who isn't a significant contributor to the team's performance, but he is more than serviceable and has helped to their success despite their absences.

Rivers is well-known in the NBA as a shooter, and many people downplay his ability since his father has coached him throughout his professional career. In a recent interview with The Ringer, Nuggets guard Austin Rivers had this to say about the doubters,

“I’m one of the best basketball players in the world. But when you play for your dad, that s— just gets discredited. It’s as if they forgot I was the top player in high school. I was a lottery pick. I went to Duke.”

Rivers is absolutely right in all he says. Even if he isn't the best player in NBA history, he is still a phenomenal talent, and simply making it to the NBA and receiving all of the accolades he has received during his basketball career is incredible.

Rivers hasn't had much success with the Nuggets, but he has had some nice moments. He's one of those players who can get hot at any moment, which is one of the main reasons the Nuggets keep him on the roster.