5 Keys to Success for Austin Rivers with the Los Angeles Clippers

Austin Rivers was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on January 16 after a disappointing two seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, after being selected with the 10th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Now, Rivers must find some new keys to success in order to fit in on a team his father, Doc, coaches.

Playing in the NBA is difficult enough. Being acquired by your father in exchange for players who have formed bonds with other players on the roster is even more challenging.

Rivers will have to overcome the struggles he had with the Pelicans and find a way to fit in with the Clippers. If not, the media and fans will begin to question if the move was made to improve the team, or rescue a son's career.

Defense

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One area where Austin Rivers can immediately contribute is on the defensive side of the floor. The Clippers need someone, anyone, who can pressure the ball and limit penetration.

Rivers has never been considered—statistically—a good defender, as evidenced by his career negative-1.9 defensive box plus-minus, per Basketball Reference. However, he has shown the ability to move his feet and keep up with quicker point guards.

Outside of Chris Paul, the Clippers' guards have been unable to defend point guards all season, as they all have churned out a negative defensive box plus-minus rating. Doc Rivers would at least have the ear of his son, letting him know his defense is desperately needed and will earn him more minutes.

Additionally, Rivers measured 6'5" in shoes with a 6'7.25" wingspan at the NBA pre-draft combine, according to Draft Express. His length, size and quickness are an upgrade defensively, as long as he puts in the effort.

Take Care of the Ball

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The main job of a point guard is to help put the other players in position to succeed, while not turning the ball over. Rivers has done a solid job early in his career at limiting turnovers, although his point guard skills are still questionable.

Regardless, the Clippers' bench needs someone to take care of the ball and not give away possessions. To Rivers' credit, he has done a good job through three games, having committed only three turnovers in 43 minutes. The bench needs a steady ball handler, and may have found one.

Doc Rivers needs to be able to rely on his bench, something he has not done yet. The Clippers' bench has only played 3,274 minutes this season, the second-lowest total in the entire league behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to Hoops Stats.

If Rivers can prove he can be a reliable ball-handler, it should help reduce the minute totals for Chris Paul, while boosting Doc Rivers' confidence in his bench.

Attack the Basket

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Rivers' greatest strength is his ability, and willingness, to attack the basket. This is something the Clippers bench needs, considering they rank 21st in bench points per game, according to Hoops Stats.

Outside of Jamal Crawford, the bench lacks anyone willing to shoot the ball or attack the basket. This is where Rivers' tendencies should come in handy.

According to NBA.com, Rivers takes 56 percent of his shots inside of 10 feet. Additionally, he scores a solid 7.2 points per 48 minutes on drives, which is more than Kevin Durant and Eric Bledsoe.

When Rivers is in attack mode, he struggles to finish, shooting only 45.2 percent. However, those rim attacks might become easier, as defenses might fear leaving Spencer Hawes and Crawford open on the perimeter.

Become a Playmaker

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For as great as Crawford has played off the bench for the Clippers, he tends to create shots for himself rather than for others. There aren't many times he is going to cross a stumbling defender over and then give up the ball. The Clippers need someone like that off their bench.

Rivers needs to transform his attacking style into one that makes plays for others. His career assist percentage of 16.3 is nearly identical to Crawford's 16.4 during his time with the Clippers, according to Basketball Reference. If Rivers can become the playmaking guard the bench needs, his role will be solidified.

Darren Collison excelled coming off the bench with Crawford last season. While Rivers is not as talented as Collison, he should watch tapes of how the slender guard was able to attack. Collison's quick bursts into the lane not only opened up the offense for the players unable to create, but also made Crawford even more dangerous.

Rivers can have that sort of impact on the second unit, but he has to be willing to adapt his game to what benefits his teammates.

One of the Guys

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Most of us have probably played on a sports team where our mother or father, or a friend's, is the head coach. The dynamic of playing for your parent, or a teammate's, is quite interesting and sometimes difficult.

Will the coach give preferential treatment to his or her child? Will said child report back to his or her parent about how the players view that parent as a coach?

In Austin Rivers' situation, some of the players on the team might be questioning why he is on the roster. Is he actually any good, or is Doc Rivers taking care of his son? 

Austin does not need to prove he belongs as much as he needs to blend in and be one of the guys. Unity in the locker room is sacred. It needs to be made apparent that no special treatment is being given to those who don't earn it.

Rivers will be fighting for playing time, plus a new contract this summer. But he needs to fit in and do what he can to improve the team chemistry, as well as the play on the floor.