Off Guard with Austin Rivers

Latest Episodes:

Karl-Anthony Towns on His Return and the T-Wolves’ Past, Present, and Future | Off Guard with Austin Rivers Mar 24, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha are joined by Karl-Anthony Towns to discuss his triumphant return to the court after missing over 50 games with a Grade 3 calf strain (1:37). They reflect on Minnesota’s warm welcome, KAT’s big 22-point return, and how the team held it down without him for almost four months (8:23). Then, they go down memory lane and reflect on KAT’s career with his carousel of coaches, GMs, and playing with the Big Ticket himself, Kevin Garnett (39:05).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Guest: Karl-Anthony Towns

Producer: Erika Cervantes, Ben Cruz

Additional Production Support: Megan Schuster and Bobby Wagner

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Tapping Into March Madness. Plus, a Ring Culture Debate and League Scuffles | Off Guard with Austin Rivers Mar 17, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha tap into March Madness and recap Pausha’s in-person experience watching the wild Virginia-Furman game, before they discuss the difference between college and professional hoops (1:20). Then, they switch gears and try to make sense of scuffles around the league, including the recent confrontation involving Giannis, Trey Lyles, and Brook Lopez (13:58). They also weigh in on the “ring culture” debate (24:38) and Ja Morant’s recent interview about his current situation. Later, Austin’s Pet Peeves makes a return, and he lets slip which teammate has a soup obsession during Timberwolves film sessions (34:37).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz

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Nikola Jokic’s MVP Discussion Takes a Turn, and Austin’s Biggest Pet Peeves | Off Guard with Austin Rivers Mar 10, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha weigh in on the recent happenings with Ja Morant (6:12) and Kevin Durant’s ankle injury during warm-ups (17:12). Then, they break down Kendrick Perkins’s comments around Nikola Jokic’s MVP candidacy (25:31), address the ongoing feud between Dillon Brooks and Draymond Green (31:37), and discuss the teams leading both conferences ahead of the playoffs (41:17). Later, Austin outs himself as the “Larry David” of the NBA, revealing some of his biggest pet peeves (45:40).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz

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KD’s Suns Debut, Load Management, and Five-Year Anniversary of the Rockets-Clippers Tunnel Debacle | Off Guard with Austin Rivers Mar 03, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha are back and kicking things off by discussing KD’s debut with the Phoenix Suns (3:46). They touch on Durant’s performance alongside Devin Booker, dive into his role on this particular team, and discuss which tenure was more successful: KD with the Warriors or LeBron with the Heat (5:06). Then, they dive into Charles Barkley’s comments about load management and provide insight from today’s play while also comparing the older generation of players to this generation (16:16). Later, they introduce Story Time and reminisce on the five-year anniversary of the Rockets-Clippers tunnel incident (35:19) before wrapping things up with another rapid-fire round, discussing whether or not double-dipping is an acceptable way to eat (54:05).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz

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Debunking the Russell Westbrook Narrative, Ben Simmons’s Trajectory, and Why You’re Not as Good at Basketball as You Think | Off Guard with Austin Rivers Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha are back after the All-Star break to discuss how the weekend shook out and what could help improve ratings (3:28). Then, they discuss the turn of the season with 21 games left (18:50), touch on Mike Conley’s addition to the Timberwolves (21:22), and review Russell Westbrook's involuntary role as the best buyout player in the league (27:47). Later, they talk Ben Simmons’s career (43:55) and wrap things up with another round of rapid fire, focusing on Rihanna’s Super Bowl performance.

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz

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D’Angelo Russell Traded to the Lakers, and Mike Conley Joins the Timberwolves. Plus, More NBA Trade Deadline Reactions. | Off Guard with Austin Rivers Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha are talking everything NBA trade deadline, starting with Austin's former T-Wolves teammate D’Angelo Russell being traded back to the Lakers and veteran point guard Mike Conley coming to Minnesota. They discuss what the Lakers are getting from D-Lo and touch on how the Timberwolves can use Conley on their roster (3:49). Then, they weigh in on the two biggest trades of the deadline, Kyrie Irving heading to the Mavericks and Kevin Durant to the Suns, and discuss how these trades affect the Western Conference heading into the playoffs (17:38). Later, they highlight LeBron becoming the all-time NBA points leader (41:26) and wrap things up with another round of rapid-fire questions.

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Ben Cruz

Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes

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Anthony Edwards on His All-Star Snub, Playoff Hopes, and Favorite Players to Go Against | Off Guard with Austin Rivers Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha are joined by Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, a.k.a. “Ant-Man,” for a fun, wide-ranging conversation. They start by reacting to the fresh news of Ant not being selected as a Western Conference All-Star and discuss other players who may have been overlooked (3:48). Then, they talk through his past playing football before eventually finding his passion in basketball (9:38) and dive into last year’s playoff run against the Grizzlies and how playoff experience has impacted his performance this season (13:07), before touching on his favorite players to face off against (20:01). Plus, a hilarious Rapid Fire: Timberwolves Edition segment (36:28)!

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Guest: Anthony Edwards

Producer: Ben Cruz

Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes

Additional Production Support: Megan Schuster

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Supreme Scorers, the Evolution of Rivalry Week, and Dissecting the Latest NBA Drama | Off Guard with Austin Rivers Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha revisit the Wolves’ big win against the Pelicans, highlighting Anthony Edwards’s 37-point performance, then talk about the other supreme scorers around the league dropping 30-plus points per game (4:00). Later, they talk through some off- and on-court drama—including Draymond Green taking ownership for his actions in Golden State (28:46) and the recent incident with Shannon Sharpe and the Grizzlies, before discussing the NBA’s Rivalry Week and the evolution of competition with all the constant player movement (31:34). Then, they wrap things up with a Young Guards Edition of their rapid fire segment (58:55). And of course, they pay their respects to Kobe and Gigi Bryant, as well as the seven others who lost their lives three years ago.

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Ben Cruz

Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes

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Potential Playoff Runs and Dunk Contest Disruptions, Plus Mid-Season Awards | Off Guard with Austin Rivers Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha recap the Wolves’ close win against the Raptors and discuss how certain teams should handle their playoff aspirations when they’re in that middle ground of tanking or making a run (1:42). Then, they touch on a player’s mentality when trade rumors circulate (4:38), look at how home-court advantage impacts teams (10:41), and revisit their viral highlight culture conversation. Later, they share their mid-season awards for MVP, Rookie of the Year, and best potential dunk contest participant (29:45).

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Ben Cruz

Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes

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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.

Young Talent, Veteran Exposure, and How Highlight Culture Has Killed Basketball | Off Guard with Austin Rivers Jan 13, 2023

Show notes

Austin and Pausha break down the latest in the world of hoops and start with Wednesday's game between the Timberwolves and Pistons, where they break down the Wolves’ underwhelming performance and discuss how they can continue to improve (2:49). Then, they weigh in on the structure of the game due to the play-in strategy (8:22), dive into the veterans that have helped mold Austin’s career (19:37), and discuss how highlight culture has killed the game of basketball (30:45). Later, they share thoughts on young talent in the league, highlighting Evan Mobley (40:32), then wrap things up with a rapid-fire round of questions focusing on your favorite players.

Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi

Producer: Ben Cruz

Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes

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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.