Doc Rivers and Austin Rivers are two names that are well-known in the NBA world. Doc Rivers is a former NBA player and a current coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, while Austin Rivers is a current NBA player for the Denver Nuggets. But are they related? And if so, how do they balance their family ties and their professional roles? In this article, we will explore the truth behind the father-son/coach-player relationship of Doc and Austin Rivers.
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The Family Background of Doc and Austin Rivers
Doc Rivers, whose real name is Glenn Anton Rivers, was born on October 13, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois. He played college basketball at Marquette University, where he earned the nickname “Doc” from his coach after wearing a T-shirt of Julius “Dr. J” Erving. He was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round of the 1983 NBA draft and played for them until 1991. He then played for the Los Angeles Clippers, the New York Knicks, and the San Antonio Spurs before retiring in 1996. He became a head coach in 1999, leading the Orlando Magic, the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Austin Rivers, whose full name is Austin James Rivers, was born on August 1, 1992, in Santa Monica, California. He is the eldest son of Doc and Kristen Rivers, who have three other children: Jeremiah, Callie, and Spencer. All of them played or are playing basketball at some level. Austin Rivers attended Winter Park High School in Florida, where he led his team to two state championships and was named the Naismith Prep Player of the Year in 2011. He played one season at Duke University before declaring for the 2012 NBA draft, where he was selected by the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) with the 10th overall pick. He has since played for the Los Angeles Clippers, the Houston Rockets, the Washington Wizards, the New York Knicks, and the Denver Nuggets.
The Father-Son/Coach-Player Relationship of Doc and Austin Rivers
Doc and Austin Rivers made history in 2015 when they became the first father-son/coach-player combination in NBA history. Doc traded for Austin from the Boston Celtics to join him on the Los Angeles Clippers, where he coached him until 2018. The move was controversial at the time, as some critics accused Doc of nepotism and favoritism towards his son. However, both Doc and Austin denied those allegations and insisted that their relationship was purely professional on the court.
According to Positive Coaching Alliance, Doc and Austin shared some insights on how they handled their unique situation in an interview with Casey Miller. Doc said that communication was key to avoid any misunderstandings or conflicts. He said that he treated Austin like any other player and that he expected him to work hard and improve his game. Austin said that respect was also important to maintain their relationship. He said that he respected his father’s knowledge and experience as a coach and that he listened to his advice and criticism. He also said that he tried to separate his father from his coach and that he did not expect any special treatment from him.
However, their relationship was not always smooth sailing. In an interview with Deadspin, Austin revealed that he and his father did not have a close bond off the court. He said that they rarely talked about anything other than basketball and that they did not spend much time together outside of work. He said that their relationship was more like a business partnership than a family one. He also said that he faced a lot of pressure and scrutiny from fans and media because of his father’s reputation and that he had to prove himself as a player on his own merits.
Despite their challenges, Doc and Austin also had some memorable moments together as father-son/coach-player. One of them was when Austin scored a career-high 25 points in Game 3 of the 2015 Western Conference semifinals against the Houston Rockets. Doc was visibly emotional and proud of his son’s performance, while Austin hugged him after the game. Another one was when Austin scored 38 points against his father’s team, the Philadelphia 76ers, in January 2021. Doc jokingly said that he was happy for his son but that he wanted to beat him badly.
The Current Status of Doc and Austin Rivers
Doc and Austin Rivers are no longer on the same team as of now. Doc left the Los Angeles Clippers in September 2020 after seven seasons with them. He signed with the Philadelphia 76ers as their new head coach shortly after. Austin also left the Los Angeles Clippers in January 2018 after three-and-a-half seasons with them. He was traded to the Washington Wizards as part of a three-team deal. He then played for the Houston Rockets, the New York Knicks, and the Denver Nuggets.
However, their father-son/coach-player relationship is not over yet. They still face each other occasionally when their teams play against each other. They also still support each other and keep in touch from time to time. Doc said that he still loves his son and that he is proud of him as a player and as a person. Austin said that he still respects his father and that he is grateful for him as a coach and as a mentor.
Conclusion
Doc and Austin Rivers are related by blood, but their relationship is more complex than that. They are also former coach and player, who made history as the first father-son/coach-player duo in the NBA. Their relationship has had its ups and downs, but they have also learned a lot from each other and grown as professionals and as individuals. They are both still active in the NBA, pursuing their own goals and dreams, but they also share a bond that goes beyond basketball.
