Austin Rivers says that the Boston Celtics will be just fine without Ray Allen next season – NBA News
Austin Rivers, the son of Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, has come out in support of his father, saying that the Greens will be fine next season without shooting guard Ray Allen.
The junior Rivers who was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets as the number 10 pick in June, made his opinion known when he was invited as a guest on ESPN’s First Take show. Rivers said that although Allen was part of the original Celtics “big three” and a big reason for the Celtics rise and success over the past six seasons, the team would do well without him after their roster upgrades this summer.
“ First off it was disappointing to (see him) leave because he was a part of that whole buildup to the Celtics again,” said Austin Rivers.
Rivers also added that the Miami Heat would be better next season after the addition of Allen, who would help them spread the defence with his perimeter shooting. On the other hand, he said that the addition of Courtney Lee has given the Celtics a great defender, while Jason Terry will bring a great deal of energy off the Celtics bench.
In fact, Rivers thinks that with the roster improvements over the summer, the Celtics are the one team in the Eastern Conference who can defeat Miami in the playoffs.
“I think if there’s one team in the East that can beat the Miami Heat I think it’s the Boston Celtics. I think it’s due to the players they have, the leadership my father has, how he motivates them. They’re the only team that can do it,” said Rivers.
Rivers himself will begin his career in the NBA this coming season with the New Orleans Hornets, where he will be playing alongside combo guard Eric Gordon and number one pick Anthony Davis.
The Hornets are looking good for the upcoming season and have created a lot of interest in the franchise over the past few months, with a new ownership and the number one draftee of this year’s draft. The Celtics will open their 2012-2013 campaign against the reigning NBA champions Miami Heat on October 30th, where the roster improvements of both teams will be on full display.
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