Austin Rivers helps save Clips' season

The Clippers locker room after a game 4 win against San Antonio was loud. Chris Paul told his teammates to congratulate the young combo guard that help save the Clippers' season who put on a fantastic performance in arguably the most important game in the teams history. It wasn't a must-win game for the Clippers but in many ways it was a MUST-WIN. Going down 3-1 against the defending champions is practically a death sentence but the Clippers found a way through in large part due to Austin Rivers. CP3 presented him the game ball and everyone cheered. It was easily the best game of his career.

"For a moment, for half a second maybe, I became a Dad in their" said Austin's father and Clippers head coach Doc Rivers. Tears welled in his eyes as quickly as he wiped them away. It was rare to see this emotion from him but clearly this game meant a lot to Doc. Austin hasn't had the easiest career, much of that comes from the foolish scrutiny of the fact that he is the son of a head coach. He's not always put on equal terms to other players and is therefore overly criticised because of his background.

In his finest moment in his career, Austin scored 16 points keeping the Clips in the game when SAS's Patty Mills was firing away and hitting with accuracy. Without Austin that night the result could have easily changed. Chris Paul mentioned that seeing Austin play so good seemed to inspire and drive the rest of the team.

Austin's teammates deserve credit for being...well... great teammates. Paul and Griffin have been providing Austin with the advice and guidance needed to get him going in the postseason, the mentorship that's important in helping a young guard like Austin develop.

After losing game 3 against the Spurs Blake was alone with Rivers after the game, he used the time to share some advice. Blake told him the Austin could be the difference maker for the team, the guy that takes them over the top, and that he needed to use his size and speed to go downhill and attack the rim (Austin's bread and butter) as much as possible when there are opportunities.

Griffin said Austin could be the difference. He was.

"I need you" Paul said to Austin in a timeout. Austin responded to Paul's belief and game a great performance at the crossroads of the Clippers' season. It was make or break time.

Maybe the best part of the whole thing was the simple fact that Austin didn't use the performance to get one up and snap back his critics. Instead he said "this is something I know I can do".


Rivers is a smart guy, he knows that one performance isn't going to change everything, The Clippers have championship aspirations and therefore the team wants to go much deeper than  game 5 of the 1st round but like i said,Austin knows this.

"Nah man we didn't win a championship" said Austin.

In order for Rivers to silence his critics he has to put in this type of performance again, and again, and again but it all starts with something and what better place to start with playing fantastic in one of the franchises most important games ever.

Austin earned his little moment of greatness in that locker room, the cheers and the claps and in Docs case, a few tears. If Austin can keep playing this was then everything would have been worth it and more. All the criticism, the hate and blame will be worth it.