It was around the time when Doc Rivers lost the final two games of one-on-one to his son Austin. The games weren’t very close. The 48-year-old Doc thought it would be another routine spanking of his high school freshman, who was improving but hardly a threat to the old man.

Austin proved not only to be a threat but a prospect. Doc already had watched oldest son Jeremiah land a Division 1 scholarship with Georgetown, but those around the Celtics coach said Austin was special. Austin wanted to beat his dad badly. He had an arrogance about him. He wasn’t intimidated by challenges.