NBA Draft 2012: Why Austin Rivers Would Be Terrible Fit in Boston

Austin Rivers is leaving for the NBA. As long as he stays clear of the Boston Celtics, the kid should be just fine. 

ESPN Boston reports that the former Duke player—who recently stated he would indeed declare for the draft—would be just fine playing for the Boston Celtics, a team that his father, Doc Rivers, coaches. 

Here is what he had to say about joining the Celtics in the draft, via the report:

"

If that was to happen, I would love to. I would love to play for any organization in the NBA. That's my dream. It would be great. It would be different. It would be an interesting aspect just to play for my dad.

If this was to happen, I would want him to treat me like anybody else. If I'm messing up, I want him to be hard on me. If I'm doing good, I want him to pat me on the back. That's the way he coaches...I would have to mature and accept that responsibility. That's one of the things you look forward to when you decide to go pro.

"

I will hand it to Rivers. He is certainly saying all the right things with regard to the most obvious question he could be asked right now.

In fact, I would implore him to remember this answer and regurgitate it the thousands of times he gets asked about his dad for the next few months. 

Let's dive right into the reasons he would be a bad fit in the historic green; but first, here's the reason we don't have to worry: He won't drop that far.

There. I am glad we got that out of the way. 

Forget his inconsistent shot and raw talent; teams will not let him drop to the later round, where the Celtics will most likely be drafting. 

However, a late-season failure or draft trade could see them in the running. So, here we go. 

Needs 

The Celtics need a lot of things, as evidenced by their return to human efforts. They are far too long in the teeth at every position but point guard and really need help in the paint. 

This team has been plagued by injuries to its big men, and it may be the lesser-known curse of Kendrick Perkins that I just invented. 

If the Celtics don't go with a center worth the pick at the time, the draft is filled with forwards that would certainly help alleviate a great deal of problems. 

Not that this is the biggest issue brought forth by a Rivers-Celtics pairing. 

Father and Son

The ESPN report affirms that Rivers has never been coached by his father at any level. This is hardly the time to begin such a relationship. 

We can all agree that Rivers needs a great deal of work at the next level and is far from a plug-and-play guard at this moment. 

He may need tough love or a steady string of encouragement. Either way, the relationship of father and son clouds that determination. 

Doc Rivers is a smart coach that has done a wonderful job with the Celtics, but there is no way that he treats his son exactly the same as the rest of the roster. 

It can't be done.

No matter how hard he may try, a father will either be a tad more difficult or easier on the kid, and that will be detrimental to a player that still needs some work to reach the pinnacle of his talents. 

Hype and Hoopla

Lastly, we come to the hype that would surround Rivers in the Boston media market.

The story of father and son on one team would have the younger Rivers targeted every time he touches the ball, or slouches after being benched. 

Body language and character would all be questioned, making the Celtics the last place he should go if he wants to hone his craft. 

I have confidence that Rivers will one day star in the NBA, but I am far more doubtful if he starts off in Boston. 

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