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Report: Clippers resent Austin Rivers being favored by Doc

Jason Getz / USA TODAY Sports

Being the son of the head coach and team president like Austin Rivers is with the Los Angeles Clippers certainly has its perks, but it also has its downfalls.

There's "in-house resentment" being directed at the 24-year-old guard due to favoritism from Doc Rivers, according to Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding, although it's not considered to be "out of control."

The younger Rivers has described his relationship with his dad in the past as being strictly about basketball, mainly because Doc was either off competing in the NBA or serving as a coach during his childhood. As a result, Doc wasn't around when Austin was establishing himself in high school and as a top recruit with the Duke Blue Devils, further hindering their father-son bond.

Austin is having a career year in his second full season as a member of the Clippers, averaging 12.2 points and 2.8 assists on 44.5 percent shooting in 27.9 minutes per game. He re-signed with the franchise last summer on a three-year deal worth $35 million.

His defense - or lack thereof - seemingly hurts his status among the rest of the roster, as the Clippers allow 5.6 fewer points per 100 possessions when he isn't on the floor. Ding writes that veterans Jamal Crawford and J.J. Redick also get their fair share of grief for being liabilities on that end of the court, although their potency on offense and ability to put up points in a hurry certainly helps.

Los Angeles has struggled mightily since the All-Star break, going 8-9 and currently sitting fifth overall in the Western Conference at 43-30.

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