101 Greats of European Basketball

and ideas, solutions. He had talent in every part of his
body.”
Vassilis Skountis, the prestigious Greek journalist,
remembers that there were many doubts about Rivers’
contribution, but after the “two rhapsodies in Rome”
everything changed. In 23 games in Europe, Rivers
averaged 37.9 minutes of play. After the win in Rome,
Olympiacos won the double crown in Greece, the league
and the cup. Rivers was MVP of the season and the best
player of the year according to FIBA. He was 32 years
old, but for Ivkovic he was the key man, the extension
of his hand on the court. Rivers was pure security for
his coaches: a scoring guard, typical of the American
school. He had it all: court vision, excellent technique, a
good shot, leadership qualities and, most of all, speed –
both in his head and in his body – on the court. There is
a video of him racing coast-to-coast in 3 seconds!
Trophies in Italy and Turkey
After achieving glory with Olympiacos, Rivers
accepted an offer from Teamsystem Bologna, which
was trying to build a great team and had attracted
Dominique Wilkins from Panathinaikos, as well. Both
veterans helped the team win the Italian Cup in the
final against Benetton Treviso, 73-55. Wilkins scored
21 points, but the MVP was Carlton Myers. Rivers’ next
destination would be Tofas Bursa of Turkey, where in
two seasons he won two league crowns and one cup. In
2000-01, he was back with Olympiacos and at 37 years
old still scored 10.3 points and dished 2.3 assists.
In May of 2009, Rivers received a well-deserved
tribute in Piraeus. He received his red jersey with number
15 and, most of all, the love of the fans who did not
forget what he did for the club. David Rivers was one
of the best and most successful Americans who ever
played in Europe. He was champion in all four countries
where he played, and in three he also won the national
cup. He was MVP of the season in France and Greece,
as well as MVP of the Final Four, and he played in the
FIBA all-star game in 1997 and 1998. That was more
than enough to make up for a frustrated career in the
NBA, where it was not because of his abilities that he
did not triumph, but for being at the wrong place at the
wrong time.
101 greats of european basketball
David Rivers
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