WRAL Sports Fan

Austin Rivers struggling to overcome shooting problems

In the past two games, New Orleans Hornets shooting guard Austin Rivers hasn’t made a shot from the field despite playing extended minutes off the bench. Rivers has combined to shoot 0-of-10 from the field after consecutive games against the Milwaukee Bucks and Lakers.

He missed all five shot attempts from the field and scored one point in Wednesday night’s 103-87 loss to the Lakers after going scoreless against the Bucks Monday night.

Though Rivers is shooting 28.3 percent from the field and averaging 6.1 points after 16 games, Hornets Coach Monty Williams said he has no plans of limiting his minutes.

"What I’m not going to do is bury him on the bench because he’s out there trying to do the right thing for the team,’’ Williams said. "I think that would hurt him more than anything. I’m going play him through his mistakes and it’s going to help our program two or three years from now.’’

RE: Austin Rivers struggling to overcome shooting problems

Going into Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Rivers has struggled to beat defenders off the dribble. Another problem has been making shots once he gets into the lane. Rivers started the first nine games of the season in place of injured Eric Gordon (knee) before Williams replaced him with Roger Mason Jr.

"I’ve got to go out there and impact this team in a good way,’’ said Rivers, who was the 10th overall pick in the June NBA draft after playing just one season at Duke. "I don’t care what it is, even if it's not shooting the ball and just hustling.’’

Williams said Rivers is having problems making shots in the lane because he is not used to playing against the type of post players he sees on a regular basis in the NBA.

"This is the first time he’s ever dealt with this kind of length,’’ Williams said. "You don’t see 7 (footers) that can jump 35 inches in college or high school. Two years ago, he was doing it against guys that were 6-5, 6-7. Now you got 6-11, 6-10 guys that can go upstairs.

"That’s a major adjustment. I always say the smaller point guards can do it because they’ve always been small. It’s always been the same deal for them.’’

re

http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ssf/2012/12/new_orleans_hornets_rookie_gua_5.html

RE: Austin Rivers struggling to overcome shooting problems

Rivers has struggled to beat defenders off the dribble. 

Struggling:

The dook Way.

RE: Austin Rivers struggling to overcome shooting problems

He never struggled in the Dean Dome.

RE: Austin Rivers struggling to overcome shooting problems

He never struggled in the Dean Dome. 

- Posted by 903 Rock Chalk Wiggins Hawk

Don't kid yourself. You are glad that he is gone!

RE: Austin Rivers struggling to overcome shooting problems

He never struggled in the Dean Dome. 

- Posted by 903 Rock Chalk Wiggins Hawk

Don't kid yourself. You are glad that he is gone! 

- Posted by Tar Heels Victory-GO HEELS

I'm not happy he left early. But if Duke fans are supposedly happy he's gone, why are trolls making posts about his NBA progress? Duke fans that are glad he's gone see this as good news.

RE: Austin Rivers struggling to overcome shooting problems

He never struggled in the Dean Dome. 

- Posted by 903 Rock Chalk Wiggins Hawk

Don't kid yourself. You are glad that he is gone! 

- Posted by Tar Heels Victory-GO HEELS

I'm not happy he left early. But if Duke fans are supposedly happy he's gone, why are trolls making posts about his NBA progress? Duke fans that are glad he's gone see this as good news. 

- Posted by 903 Rock Chalk Wiggins Hawk

LOL:

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/unc/forum_topic/11860106/?d_comments_page=1

RE: Austin Rivers struggling to overcome shooting problems

Yep, he never had any difficulty in 3 Rivers stadium in Chapel HOle.