Austin Rivers had a breakthrough year last season. After being traded to his daddy's team, the Clippers, Rivers was able to earn consistent minutes and came up big in the playoffs. He legitimately shifted the tide of the Spurs series in Game 4 and finally cashed in on his potential. 

So Rivers should look this season to prove that he really truly is an NBA player who can be a consistent part of a playoff team's rotation. That's a reasonable goal. 

Instead, the youngster seems to have bigger goals in mind and a higher place in the NBA hierarchy as far as he's concerned. 

Now, on the one hand, you can argue that Austin Rivers should feel this way. That being an NBA player requires confidence, even an excessive amount of confidence. To be a star in this league, you almost have to carry with you the attitude that you're the best, or at least one of.

However, there's also something to be said for understanding your place in a team concept. Rivers' place on Team USA is to cheer them on... because there's no way he's better than the players who played in Thursday's Team USA Showcase. Just look at the guards:

Bradley Beal, DeMar DeRozan, Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton, Arron Afflalo, Michael Carter-Williams, and Klay Thompson. Even if you're not aware of how good Payton and Oladipo are, that's still two guys who finished high in their rookie of the year voting, while Rivers' first year was legitimately one of the worst in league history. Michael Carter-Williams gets a lot of grief, but he's very talented, was traded for basically the Lakers' first-round pick that the Suns had, and won Rookie of the Year. Beal, DeRozan, Afflalo, and Thompson are either former All-Stars or had seasons very close to it. 

It's good that Rivers is hungry, but his attitude should be "I want to be good enough to earn a spot on Team USA Select," not "I'm better than the guys on Team USA Select." Get your own house in order before you criticize your neighbor's. 

It did inspire this conversation between Pistons youngster Spencer Dinwiddie and Blazers guard C.J. McCollum, though. 

It should be noted that Team USA should take either one of those guys before Rivers. 

Austin Rivers thinks he's good enough for Team USA. (USATSI)
Austin Rivers thinks he's good enough for Team USA. (USATSI)