The Knicks previously had only two father and son groups playing in the organization. On the last night of 2020, they are scheduled to add a third night.
distance Missing before the entire season and the first four games From the regular season with a thigh injury, combo keeper Austin Rivers is expected to play his first game at the Knicks Thursday night against the Toronto Raptors in Tampa. Rivers’ father Doc, the current coach of the Philadelphia Sixers, played for the Knicks from 1992 to 1994.
The 28-year-old says he had a groin injury a few days before getting him into signing and trading with Houston on November 22, as he agreed to a three-year, $ 10 million deal with the Knicks. However, only the first year of the transaction is guaranteed.
“It was a reshuffle. I never missed a full training camp. I couldn’t even play a pre-season game, I didn’t even go 5 on a 5 yet. Rivers said before Thursday’s game.” It’s basketball at the end of the day. You just go there and play hard and that’s not rocket science. You’re just trying to help the team win. “
The nine-year-old NBA veteran added that he was unsure whether he would be subject to minute restraints on his first appearance at the Knicks, or where he would fit in with goalkeeper turns behind rookies Elfred Payton and RJ Barrett.
Frank Ntelikina (right knee injury) and Dennis Smith Jr. (left quadruple) were excluded from Thursday’s match, with Alec Birx (left ankle sprain) and rookie Emmanuel Quickley (pointer hip) listed as questionable. Quickley missed the previous three games as the hip pointer struggled in the Knicks’ opening season loss to Indiana.
Rivers noted that first-year coach Tom Thiepodo has “played hard” with the Knicks, having scored victories in their previous two games against Milwaukee and Cleveland. Thibodeau was a member of the Doc Rivers Team with Boston from 2007 to 2010.
“I’ll be honest, even as an individual, I came, I didn’t play with them, the only thing I know I should do – the shots, I might make everything, I might miss it all. I’ll get that feeling and rhythm back when I play these games – but the only thing.” What has to be consistent is when I’m there, I have to play hard. ”Because that’s what our team stands for now. We are one of those teams, there’s no free time when the Knicks are playing. This is the mentality we’re trying to establish here.
“I know successes and mistakes can vanish, but your efforts cannot. This is the kind of thing that Tebes instilled in this team. I’ll just go in and play hard.”
The 6-foot-4-point Rivers averaged 8.8 points and 1.7 assists while he fired 42.1 percent of his shots (35.6 percent of the three-point range) over the course of 23.4 minutes in 68 games (four starts) with Houston last season. .
There were only two more father and son to appear in the regular season matches with the Knicks: Ernie and Kiki Vandeweghe, and Henry and Mike Bibby.
Doc Rivers, who coached Austin for four seasons with the Clippers, said earlier this month that he is He paid his son to sign with the Knicks Because of the “wonderful experience” he enjoyed with the organization.
Austin Rivers said, “I think it’s the atmosphere of everything that is stiff.” “I think it was a difference because that’s what he is asking for. There’s no other choice. You don’t play hard, don’t play. That’s exactly what it is. I think everyone gets that picture in our team. And I think everyone knows – if you don’t play hard, you won’t Play.
“There are only some teams that have this identity and that’s what we’re trying to build here. Thibs is doing a great job and we’re just watching. Everyone moves the ball and plays hard and that’s what it will be.”
