

Off Guard with Austin Rivers
Austin Rivers
NBA veteran, Austin Rivers, is joined by one of his oldest friends, Pausha Haghighi, to give you that true insider’s perspective from someone who’s actively playing in the league on anything and everything happening inside the NBA. They hit on the biggest headlines and stories and of course sprinkle in some of the best stories and memories from Austin’s extensive career.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 9, 2023 • 1h 6min
Jokic-Murray the Best Two-Man Game Ever? Plus, Chris Paul’s Potential New Team and Mailbag Time! | Off Guard
Austin and Pausha break down Game 3 of the Finals and break down why the Nuggets took a firm 2-1 lead (4:43). They discuss another dominant Jokic performance and his potential to go down as the best center ever, and then touch on Jamal Murray’s role in making them such a lethal duo (12:53). Later, they discuss which team could suit Chris Paul best (38:52), and then answer your questions with an ‘Off Guard’ mailbag (52:20)!Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiProducer: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 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.

Jun 2, 2023 • 1h 6min
Jokic, the Nuggets, and the Altitude Dominate Game 1. Plus, Reaction to Monty Williams’s Historic Hire. | Off Guard
Austin and Pausha are back to talk through Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets’ dominant Game 1 performance in the NBA Finals. They discuss Austin’s feelings on seeing his former team being three wins away from a championship, what adjustments the Heat need to make for the rest of the series, and why they desperately need Tyler Herro back when he’s available. They close things out by addressing Monty Williams’s historic deal to become the new coach of the Detroit Pistons. Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi Producer: Brian H. Waters Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 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.

May 27, 2023 • 1h 12min
Celtics Put Pressure on the Heat for Game 6 | Off Guard
Austin and Pausha are back to preview Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals (02:00). Then, the guys talk about LeBron’s retirement scare this week and his impact on the NBA (28:00). Later, Callie Curry joins Pausha to add to the Celtics vs Heat dialogue (54:00).Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiGuest: Callie CurryProducer: Jonathan KermahAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 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.

May 20, 2023 • 1h 11min
Doc Rivers Out in Philly, Wemby In with the Spurs and the Nuggets’ Championship Run | Off Guard
Austin and Pausha kick off the pod talking about Joe Mazzulla’s obsession with ‘The Town’ and if Austin has any similar traditions (07:48) Then, they discuss the Draft Lottery results, including Wemby’s fit in San Antonio and whether Portland should trade away Damian Lillard (11:04). They also give their thoughts on the Sixers letting go of Doc Rivers and the speed of turnover in the NBA (25:11). After that, they touch on Ja Morant’s second suspension, give their thoughts on the Conference Finals, and discuss who’s better: Austin Reaves or Jordan Poole? (39:04)Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiProducers: Ben Cruz and Eduardo Ocampo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 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.

May 12, 2023 • 1h 22min
Would Austin Ever Coach in the NBA? Plus, the Warriors’ Future and All-NBA Team Reactions | Off Guard
Austin and Pausha are back to discuss JJ Redick’s head coach interview with the Raptors, the workload that it takes to be a coach, and if Austin would ever consider being a coach or executive (10:35). Then, they talk about Philly and Boston’s title chances, a potential Warriors’ break up, and the importance of depth in the playoffs (29:11). Later, they react to the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams, how it impacts Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s possible contract extensions, and why these selections shouldn’t have any financial impact for players (48:04).Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiProducer: Ben Cruz and Eduardo Ocampo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 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.

May 5, 2023 • 1h 31min
Nikola Vucevic on His “Welcome to the NBA” Moment, Love for Batman, and More | Off Guard
Austin and Pausha welcome two-time All-Star and current Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic for an in-person, in-depth chat on everything from his brief time with the Philadelphia 76ers to becoming an All-Star with the Orlando Magic to the trade that eventually sent him to the Bulls (21:14). The guys also dive into Nikola’s off-court interests as he explains his love for Batman, ‘Star Wars,’ and his car collection (53:43), before throwing him into the deep end for another classic edition of Rapid Fire (69:23).Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiGuest: Nikola VucevicProducers: Ben Cruz and Eduardo Ocampo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 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.

Apr 29, 2023 • 1h 2min
Warriors’ Title Chances, LeBron’s Playoff Run, and What to Make of Giannis’ Postgame Comments | Off Guard
Austin and Pausha are together in Florida for their first ever in-person recording! The guys kick things off discussing Austin's and the Timberwolves’ season and playoff run (2:20). Then, they turn their attention to the Nuggets-Suns second-round series (8:00), the Warriors potentially winning it all again (12:00), and what to make of Lakers-Grizzlies (14:40). Later, they highlight their favorite guards to watch, touch on Giannis’ comments in the media after being eliminated by the Heat, and rank the remaining playoff teams (35:34).Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiProducers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 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.

Apr 21, 2023 • 50min
Draymond-Sabonis Reactions, T-Wolves’s Game 3 Adjustments, and More! | Off Guard
Austin and Pausha are kicking things off by offering their tips for choosing your best pick-up basketball team (8:05). Then, they jump back into the playoff rotation and discuss the Jarret Allen–Julius Randle and Draymond Green–Domantas Sabonis altercations (13:03), before talking through adjustments the T-Wolves have to make heading into Game 3 against the Nuggets (22:32) and which playoff series they're enjoying most (35:50). Lastly, they discuss a hard knocks solution for increasing the casual fan's interest in basketball (43:18).Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiProducers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 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.

Apr 14, 2023 • 1h 2min
What Went Wrong vs. the Lakers, Play-In Part 2 vs. the Thunder, and the Kuzma-Dinwiddie Drama | Off Guard
Austin and Pausha unpack all that went down during the Timberwolves-Lakers play-in game on Tuesday, from the Lakers comeback to Mike Conley’s ridiculously clutch free throws, before addressing what needs to be done to clinch the eighth seed vs. the Thunder (3:52). Then, they break down teams to watch heading into the postseason, from the Cavs-Knicks matchup to a defending champion Warriors squad against the Kings (15:19). Later, Austin sets straight his thoughts on the Bronny James NIL valuation (37:01), and touches on the Kyle Kuzma-Spencer Dinwiddie drama (46:45).Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiProducers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 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.

Apr 8, 2023 • 50min
Bronny James’s Massive NIL Valuation, the Angel Reese–Caitlin Clark “Drama,” and Austin’s Thoughts on the New CBA | Off Guard
Austin and Pausha are back and drop their thoughts on Bronny James’s NIL valuation (5:23), react to both NCAA tournaments and more specifically, the media-driven “drama” surrounding Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark (13:44). Then, they discuss the evolution of the game with thoughts on the changes coming to the new CBA (24:44). Later, they make the case for Joel Embiid as MVP (30:22), and then wrap things up with another round of Story Time and Austin Rivers’s Pet Peeves (37:50).Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha HaghighiProducers: Erika Cervantes and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 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.


