While Austin Rivers may have seen a significant dip in his role for the Washinton Wizards this season compared to his time with the Los Angeles Clippers, one thing he certainly has not lost is his confidence.
When asked recently about what he thought about some people criticizing his shot selection, Rivers was his usual nonchalant self, claiming that he laughs off such nonsense.
“You’ll be surprised,” Rivers said, via of Fred Katz of The Athletic. “When I shoot that shit, you’ll be like, did he just shoot that? … You’re gonna see me smile, because I’ll laugh even on the court, because everybody knows it.”
That's the spirit, Austin. You do you, and don't let anybody talk you out of it.
However, the numbers may tell a different story. One that Rivers may not care for very much.
Since being traded in the summer for Marcin Gortat, Rivers has learned that playing under anybody else aside from your own father does pose a number of challenges.
In 20 appearances off the Wizards bench, the 26-year-old is averaging only 7.2 points, 1.1 3-pointers, 2.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.6 steals in 22.2 minutes of action. This is a far cry from his output from the previous season, in which he put up 15.1 points, 2.2 3-pointers, 2.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.2 steals in 33.7 minutes as a starter for the Clippers.
Rivers' field goal rate has also dipped to just 40.9 percent this year compared to 42.4 percent last season. In this regard, one might be able to argue that shot selection might be something the 6-foot-4 guard may want to look at.
Nevertheless, it's still way too early in the season, and Rivers will need some time to get accustomed to a new environment. Hopefully, though, he gets up to speed sooner rather than later as the Wizards can use all the help they can get at this point.
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