Latest news with #AustinRivers
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'I don't have any remorse' – Ex-New York Knicks star gets brutally honest in his Tom Thibodeau dismissal assessment
Tom Thibodeau and Austin Rivers. Image via: Sarah Stier/GettyImages | Icon Sportswire/ Getty Images The New York Knicks' decision to part ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau shortly after a long-awaited Eastern Conference Finals run raised eyebrows around the NBA. But for former Knicks guard Austin Rivers, the move was anything but shocking, and certainly not worth mourning. In fact, Rivers used the opportunity to speak candidly about his troubled stint under Thibodeau, criticizing both the coach and the franchise's front office for what he called a mishandling of his time in New York. Austin Rivers slams Tom Thibodeau and the New York Knicks During a recent episode of Off Guard with Austin Rivers on The Ringer, the NBA veteran held nothing back while recalling his brief and bitter Knicks experience. 'I'm not really a Thibs guy. I played for him, it wasn't the best experience personally, didn't treat me well at all,' Rivers said, revealing how he was dismissed from day one. "First day of camp, this is a true story... [this is] my first time really talking to him since signing there. Thibodeau comes up to me and says, 'Hey man, excited for you to be here. I wanted Derrick [Rose], but you'll do great. You'll do great.' And he walked away." — NBA_NewYork (@NBA_NewYork) That blunt comment foreshadowed what was coming. 'I remember thinking to myself, 'Hmm. Not gonna be here long,'' Rivers admitted. Sure enough, the Knicks acquired Derrick Rose from the Pistons weeks later. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Rivers was soon demoted and eventually traded. It was an exit, he says was anything but respectful. 'They brought me to a dark room, it was Leon [Rose], Worldwide Wes, and Thibs. They're all three sitting there in the dark, with like a little light, it's like an interrogation-type thing,' Rivers said. 'Until we find the right spot with you, you don't have to travel with the team anymore.' Frustrated and sidelined, Rivers had to plead for permission to travel just to maintain his training routine. 'My [emasculated] a*s had to call [Thibodeau] and ask him, 'Can I please travel with you guys?'' he added. The Knicks eventually shipped him to a rebuilding Thunder team that waived him shortly after. "They don't do business the right way sometimes," Rivers said flatly. 'So when you fire Thibs, I don't have any remorse.' Despite helping lead the Knicks to four playoff appearances and a surprise 2025 Eastern Conference Finals run, Thibodeau's departure has cast a shadow over the organization's next move, especially with their failed attempts to interview current head coaches elsewhere.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Austin Rivers Admits Anthony Edwards Needs More Support
Austin Rivers Admits Anthony Edwards Needs More Support originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Timberwolves have come close two years in a row. They lost in two consecutive Western Conference Finals, which should lead to more improvements to get over the hump. Advertisement Former Timberwolves player Austin Rivers have observed the team quite closely, so he has a good understanding of what makes the team work. He feels it is time for some big changes to help the team push forward. Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Success in the modern NBA requires depth and high-level athleticism. In the current Timberwolves squad, Edwards and Jaden McDaniels are high-level athletes, but the roster is slower than most teams. They are still quite talented, but they do not have the intangibles teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers have during their runs to the NBA Finals this season. Related: Chris Finch Admits The Timberwolves' 2024-25 Season Was A Modest Success Rivers Knows The Timberwolves Need To Support Edwards As a modern basketball mind, Rivers knows what it takes for teams to succeed. With what he has seen with the Timberwolves, he knows they will be a better team if they make improvements with their roster. Advertisement A big part of their success should involve a high-level playmaker alongside Edwards in the backcourt. Mike Conley Jr. is a fantastic player, but he is 37. He is not getting any younger, so the Timberwolves must make some big changes to the roster. They could promote Rob Dillingham to be the starting point guard, but that might be too fast, considering he had sporadic minutes during his rookie season. "You've gone to the Conference Finals two years in a row. Clearly, you have some good intel and a good team. You're just a piece or two away," Rivers said on his Off Guard show. "There needs to be another dominant ball-handler... At this point, they need to get a guard who can take the ball out of Ant's hands, and say 'Slow down,' and have that respect to create and dribble other than him. He needs one other guy." The Path For Improvement Is Clear For Minnesota The Timberwolves can make massive improvements to the team if they play their cards right. Of course, they must retain their important players like Naz Reid and Julius Randle, but there is room for upgrades for the point guard position. Advertisement Easing Dillingham into a prominent role is a good option, but looking for a high-level point guard can also be good. Dangling the chance to play alongside Anthony Edwards is a good way to convince more players because he has a good reputation as a teammate across the league. Making it into the Western Conference Finals in two consecutive years should elevate the Timberwolves' standards. They do not want to settle for second place in the West. The Timberwolves do not want to beat the Thunder, and that can be done by giving Edwards the secondary playmaker. It is unclear who that player will be, but that is team president Tim Connelly's job. If he can find the right answer, the Timberwolves are in good shape to compete for a championship. Advertisement Related: Jaden McDaniels Admits Rob Dillingham Will Improve in The 2025-26 Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Final Four: Basketball players including Austin Rivers react to Duke's collapse vs. Houston: 'Don't text me or call me'
Final Four: Basketball players including Austin Rivers react to Duke's collapse vs. Houston: 'Don't text me or call me' Houston's Final Four win over Duke Saturday night was one for the ages. Duke, a national title favorite led by a generational freshman talent in Cooper Flagg, appeared to be in full control against Houston with a berth in the national title game at stake. Advertisement But Duke scored just one field goal in the final 10:31 of the game and proceeded to blow a 59-45 lead. Houston then ended the game on a 9-0 run in the final 1:14 to secure a 70-67 win and an all-time collapse by a Duke team that was hoping to secure the program's sixth national title. With Duke being Duke — perhaps the most divisive program in college basketball — this certainly raised some reactions from the basketball world tuning in. Notably, former NBA and Duke player Austin Rivers chimed in. He was understandably displeased. Rivers first reacted to a foul on Cooper Flagg that helped set Houston up with late go-ahead free throws. When the game was over, Rivers wasn't interested in speaking with anyone. Rivers, of course, wasn't the only player who was watching and reacting to Saturday's game on social media. Several other current and former NBA players chimed in with reactions ranging from congratulations to Houston and head coach Kelvin Sampson to agreeing with Rivers to celebrating Duke's demise. At least one former North Carolina player, of course, reveled in the result.
