It was not so long ago that Austin Rivers was considered an enormous NBA draft bust, owner of one of the worst rookie debuts in modern memory. A few strong postseason performances have almost completely changed the narrative.
The Los Angeles Clippers' season ended on a disastrous note, watching a 3-1 series lead against the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Semifinals evaporate in a haze of hesitancy, sloppy defense and missed jump shots. The strong play of Rivers was one of the few sweet spots in the sour experience of these playoffs.