Off Guard with Austin Rivers

Austin and Pausha kick things off this week with a discussion about De’Aaron Fox’s ridiculous scoring binge and compare him to the likes of Damian Lillard and Tyrese Maxey (5:25). Then, they hit on the Bucks-Rockets game as Austin reflects on his experience playing against Giannis (13:46), and then highlight how defensively elite the Houston Rockets are (18:42). Later, they give James Harden his flowers for moving into second place on the all-time 3-pointers made list (31:42), and dive into Jared McCain’s impressive rookie season thus far (38:35).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Erika Cervantes

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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Austin and Pausha are back and reflect on Wednesday night’s game Pausha attended between the Magic and the Pacers (3:00). They discuss another underwhelming Tyrese Haliburton performance and how this compares to other teams with star players that aren’t quite living up to expectations (5:07). Then, they hit on rookie Ron Holland missing two free throws and ultimately costing the Pistons the game vs. the Bucks, and the shift in momentum both ways (12:34). Later, they break down Klay Thompson’s return to the Bay Area and the high-tension atmosphere between him, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and the rest of the Mavs and Warriors (0:00), before Austin shares his experience of what it’s like being on the opposite end of Steph’s shooting flurries and dances (28:38).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Erika Cervantes

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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Austin and Pausha kick off the week by talking about the surprising 8-2 Golden State Warriors. They discuss what exactly is working for Steph and the squad right now and why their depth has seemingly reinvigorated Steve Kerr’s love for coaching (1:15). Then, the guys break down the Giannis Antetokounmpo-Jaylen Brown beef (18:00), and try to figure out if Nikola Jokic’s fourth MVP is really in play this season (23:35).

They wrap the show by hitting a plethora of topics, including sorting through all the potential reasons for NBA ratings being down, Bronny James’s G League debut, and Chet Holmgren’s unfortunate injury, before Austin makes an impassioned plea to Victor Wembanyama about adjusting his play on the offensive side of the ball (33:08).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Ben Cruz

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Austin and Pausha kick things off by talking about Ja Morant’s ridiculous layups against the Lakers last night, which reminded us why we’ve missed him so much (1:16). Then, they discuss Darius Garland and the surging Cleveland Cavaliers (11:59), the surprising start for Cam Thomas and the Brooklyn Nets (14:48), and Zaccharie Risacher, who's providing even more hope for the Atlanta Hawks (22:55). Finally, with the Warriors’ early-season success, they break down how much depth is necessary for teams to compete at the next level (40:24).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Erika Cervantes

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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Austin and Pausha revisit the Haliburton-LaMelo viral conversation from last week and discuss Melo’s cultlike fan base (3:00). Then, they weigh in on Grant Williams's weirdly aggressive foul on Jayson Tatum (12:42), talk about the Bucks starting the season off at the bottom of the East (28:50), and give flowers to Dennis Schröder and Buddy Hield for their recent play. Plus, the guys give their early thoughts on the teams Cooper Flagg might end up on (54:44).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Erika Cervantes

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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Austin and Pausha return to the mics to discuss an action-packed second week of NBA. They start by discussing the complexity surrounding the Indiana Pacers and Tyrese Haliburton (0:00), then talk through the beginnings of the Paolo Banchero Year 3 leap (13:53).

Later, Austin gets into why he isn’t a big fan of Anthony Edwards shooting mostly 3s this season (28:07), before he and Pausha get into an interesting Karl-Anthony Towns–Nikola Jokic debate (34:30).

The guys wrap things up with talk of their concerns for the Nuggets (43:17) and try to figure out whether there is a clear-cut third-best team in the league after the Celtics and Thunder (48:28).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producers: Ben Cruz and Troy Farkas

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Austin and Pausha are back and will be coming to you twice a week, and the guys kick things off with their reactions to the Dwyane Wade statue that left everyone speechless (8:05). Then, they test a new segment for the start of the season that has us reviewing teams and whether we “Buy In” or decide it’s “Way Too Early.” They start off with the Bucks (17:26), then discuss what Denver might be missing compared to a stacked Thunder roster (30:22). Then, they touch on the Lakers’ chances at a title after an impressive start to the season (36:58). Then, they wrap things up with Austin sharing his date-night experience at Universal Halloween Horror Nights, which featured a surprise performance from Lance Stephenson (52:27).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Erika Cervantes

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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Austin and Pausha share all their opening day overreactions, starting with the Celtics’ stacked lineup and the Knicks’ reliance on Jalen Brunson (1:53). Then they hit on the iconic LeBron-Bronny moment and Austin reflects on his first game playing for his dad in the league (24:14). Lastly, they hit on what we saw from Clippers-Suns at the Intuit Dome debut and what this could mean for both teams heading into season (53:00).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Erika Cervantes

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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Austin and Pausha share their final regular-season predictions for both the Eastern and Western Conferences (14:00) before reacting to The Ringer’s Top 100 Players in the NBA and discussing where they personally would’ve ranked certain players (42:52).

https://nbarankings.theringer.com/

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Erika Cervantes

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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Austin and Pausha revisit their now semi-viral pickup hoops conversation (4:45) and highlight preseason play with a shout-out to first pick Zaccharie Risacher (17:10). Then, they jump into the GM survey and evaluate who will be MVP, breakout player of the season, favorite team to watch, and more (21:31)!

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Erika Cervantes

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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