{"id":141478,"date":"2020-12-25T06:57:36","date_gmt":"2020-12-25T03:57:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/austin-rivers-making-progress-toward-knicks-debut\/"},"modified":"2020-12-25T06:57:36","modified_gmt":"2020-12-25T03:57:36","slug":"austin-rivers-making-progress-toward-knicks-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/austin-rivers-making-progress-toward-knicks-debut\/","title":{"rendered":"#Austin Rivers making progress toward Knicks debut"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#Austin Rivers making progress toward Knicks debut<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

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This counts as progress.<\/p>\n

Although Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said combo guard Austin Rivers did only \u201ca little bit\u201d in a light practice Thursday, that was at least a step in the right direction for the newcomer, who missed virtually all of training camp and didn\u2019t app<\/a>ear in a preseason game<\/a> due to a right groin injury.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been slow,\u201d Thibodeau said over Zoom following practice on Thursday. \u201cIt\u2019s a work in progress. He did a little bit today, which is encouraging. You have to be careful with that type of injury.\u201d<\/p>\n

There remains no timetable for the 28-year-old guard, who signed a three-year, $10 million deal with the Knicks in the offseason. He has talked big about making them a free-agent destination and being part of the solution. So far, however, the son of 76ers coach Doc Rivers has yet to be able to contribute in a tangible manner.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen he\u2019s ready to go, he\u2019ll be ready to go,\u201d Thibodeau said.<\/p>\n

Rivers averaged 8.8 points and 2.6 rebounds for the Rockets last year in 68 games. There was some thought he would play for his father in Philadelphia, but Doc Rivers previously told The Post he suggested his former team to Austin having already coached his son once already with the Clippers and knowing what kind of coach Thibodeau is.<\/p>\n

\"austin
Austin Rivers<\/figcaption>
Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thibodeau was one of Rivers\u2019 assistants when he led the Celtics to the title in 2008.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe got a ring together, he\u2019s a dear friend, it was a great run,\u201d Thibodeau said. \u201cWe maintained a very close relationship, I learned a ton from him. Special guy to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

A day later, Thibodeau\u2019s takeaway from the season-opening loss to the Pacers wasn\u2019t much different than how he felt immedia<\/a>tely after the game. The Knicks did some good things, but not nearly enough of them to beat a quality team on the road.<\/p>\n

\u201cA game reveals exactly where you are,\u201d he said. \u201cOur defense obviously has to be a lot better. Offensively, I liked our first half. We had a good stretch to start the third, but then I think once Julius [Randle] got in foul trouble that hurt us.<\/p>\n

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