Austin Rivers claims that referees are the main reason why Steph Curry is so difficult to guard

Austin Rivers, presenter of The Ringer’s podcast, has only recorded two episodes so far, but he’s already proven himself to be a quote factory. Off Guard’s premiere episode had him blaming “highlight culture” for sports’ demise.

The only guys who got a mixtape in high school were the stars. To have a Ballislife mix was a great privilege. In this new era, the terrain looks different. Kids get a cassette and their parents pay to have them there.

Naturally, Rivers failed to explain that his success in the NBA was due in large part to nepotism and highlight culture, that his reputation was built as much on who he was as on what he had accomplished. These remarks, however, pale in comparison to his second outburst.

In regards to Steph Curry and the NBA refs, what did Austin Rivers have to say?

When asked who in the NBA is the most difficult to guard, Austin Rivers didn’t hesitate to answer:

“Steph… The gap is enormous… You can’t touch him since the other team consistently benefits from his presence on the field by giving him the ball and setting illegal screens for him to run into. People don’t make the call because they want to see him fire.

If you believe Rivers, much of Steph Curry’s success may be traced to the league conspiring to let him shoot while he sets illegal screens. Not the phenomenally precise controls; not the infinite firing range that demands ridiculously tight defense. the exceptional offensive imagination, and the flawless awareness of free space and the ability to both exploit and create it.