Off Guard with Austin Rivers

Latest Episodes:

Timberwolves Are a Legit Contender, and We Welcome the New Era of Players Nov 17, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha kick things off by talking through the Draymond Green chokehold on Rudy Gobert that resulted in Draymond’s five-game suspension (6:43). Then, they discuss the stacked Timberwolves lineup and their place among the top teams in the league (17:15), before dissecting what exactly is wrong with the Clippers (18:36), and Ime Udoka’s Coach of the Year-like impact for the Rockets (22:48). Later, they welcome the new era of players in the league and touch on where things could be going for the sport of basketball as a whole (43:00).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz

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Harden and the Clippers’ Rocky Start, and Why the Sixers Are Now Thriving Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha run down this week’s matchups and explain why they are extremely bullish on the Timberwolves (9:14). Then, they break down James Harden’s fit with the Clippers following their recent losses (14:27), and Bradley Beal’s early contributions to the Suns (31:41). Later, they evaluate what’s going on in the Eastern Conference with Joel Embiid and the post-Harden 76ers (43:40), before discussing Giannis’s absurd ejection from the Bucks-Pistons game (47:56).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz

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Does Winning the In-Season Tourney Mean Anything? Plus, the Rise of Scottie Barnes Nov 07, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha kick off the pod with their first impressions of the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament and whether players will actually be able to celebrate winning the whole thing (00:55). They then discuss Scoot Henderson’s early struggles and Scottie Barnes’s ascension as a top guy with the Raptors (10:05). Later, they discuss Donovan Mitchell’s MVP-level season so far, James Harden’s integration with the Clippers, before ending things by talking about Austin’s experience playing at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium (25:27).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producers: Eduardo Ocampo and Ben Cruz

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Who’s the Next Face of the NBA? Plus, Draymond’s Latest Post-Poole Comment. Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha start by discussing the slow starts of Paolo Banchero and Austin Reaves and what that may have to do with their USA Basketball run this past summer (6:40). Then, they talk through who may be the next face of the league after LeBron James finishes playing (12:00). Later, they hit on Draymond Green’s most recent comments about the post–Jordan Poole Warriors era before closing things out talking the Timberwolves’ big win over the defending champion Nuggets (45:38).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz

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Who Won the Harden-to-Clippers Trade, Weird Court Designs, and Resetting Expectations With Austin Reaves Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha kick off their Halloween by discussing the late-night trade that landed James Harden with the Los Angeles Clippers, and how the Philadelphia 76ers will deal with a Beard-less future (1:36). The guys break down how Harden’s arrival impacts Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George, before picking who they thought won the trade.

Then, Austin and Pausha get into the new court designs that will be used for the NBA’s in-season tournament games and decide whether they like them or not (22:12). Austin gives his thoughts on the projected top pick in the 2025 NBA draft, Cooper Flagg, committing to his beloved Duke Blue Devils (24:21).

The guys also talk through the Lakers’ early-season struggles when LeBron James isn’t on the court, why we need to reset our expectations with Austin Reaves (26:32), and whether they enjoyed Joel Embiid and Stephen Curry’s over-the-top celebrations (39:56).

They wrap up the show by dropping their thoughts on the Pistons’ impressive start, the Suns continuing to “load manage” their roster, and the new partnership between the NBA and Kim Kardashian.

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producers: Brian H. Waters and Ben Cruz

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Top-Heavy Teams Everywhere, Spurs’ Young Talent, and Denver’s Elite Starting Lineup Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

It’s a new NBA season on ‘Off Guard!’ Austin and Pausha run through a handful of the league’s first few games and talk through the story lines that are already in motion (7:34). Then, they discuss the common theme between the top-heavy teams and their levels of success (22:03), and give their major takeaways so far (54:06). Later, they put their hoops knowledge back to the test with another round of Lost in the Sauce (59:58).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz

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Anthony Edwards vs. Luka Doncic’s Team Construction, James Harden’s Continued No-Show and What We’re Most Excited About This Season Oct 24, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha fire up the mics for the first podcast of the new NBA season. The guys start by reacting to Jaden McDaniels’s big extension with the Timberwolves. They use that as a jumping off point to discuss how the T-Wolves have built their team around Anthony Edwards compared to how the Dallas Mavericks have built theirs around Luka Doncic. The guys then talk through the impact of Steven Adams’s season-ending injury on the Grizzlies, James Harden’s continued absence before revealing what they’re most excited about for the 2023-2024 NBA season.

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producers: Brian H. Waters and Ben Cruz

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Wemby and Chet Holmgren Excitement Level and Reacting to the Ringer and ESPN Top 100 Rankings Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha are back and on their brand-new ‘Off Guard’ feed, where they begin with reactions to the impressive performances so far from both Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren (0:47). Then, they discuss which players are on their radar this upcoming season, including underrated names like Payton Pritchard and Jonathan Kuminga (23:45). Later, they talk through The Ringer's and ESPN’s top 100 rankings and offer their own suggestions (41:16), then switch gears to hit on a few of Austin’s pet peeves dealing with dress code, as well as a quick review of Drake’s latest album.

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Media Day Quotes That Grabbed Our Attention the Most. Plus, the Impact of Jrue Holiday to Boston. | Off Guard Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha are back for the start of the preseason; they react to the news that Jrue Holiday was traded to the Celtics and discuss how this compares to the Damian Lillard trade and what this ultimately means for the Heat (6:04). Then, they address quotes from media day, starting with Jimmy Butler’s hair and Brandon Ingram’s take on a big payday (15:34). They finish off the show with another round of Lost in the Sauce, where they once again put their basketball knowledge to the test (51:22).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming, please checkout theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.

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Why Each Team Won With the Dame Trade, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift Reactions, and a Lost in the Sauce Test | Off Guard Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha react to the blockbuster Damian Lillard trade and talk through why this is a rare triple win for all three teams involved (0:32). Then, they hit on the Travis Kelce–Taylor Swift relationship news (25:52) and likely NBA prospect Cooper Flagg’s UConn photo shoot. They wrap things up with Lost in the Sauce, a new segment that puts both guys’ NBA history knowledge to the test (53:51).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.