Ben McLemore or Austin Rivers? The NBA Stat Breakdown

Few NBA comparisons generate more debate than Ben McLemore vs Austin Rivers. The numbers reveal a genuinely competitive matchup — Ben McLemore takes 4 categories while Austin Rivers claims 3, making this one of the closer head to head comparisons at the SG position. Every statistical category matters in a matchup this tight.

Austin Rivers's Assists Per Game of 2.1 compared to Ben McLemore's 1.0 represents a 110% advantage — dramatically better than their counterpart in this critical category. Ben McLemore falls 68.8% below the career average of 3.2 in this category while Austin Rivers exceeds it. It is the single most decisive number in this comparison and the clearest statistical argument for Austin Rivers's edge.

The most competitive category in this matchup is Field Goal %, where Ben McLemore posts 41.4% against Austin Rivers's 41.9% — a gap of just 1.2%. Austin Rivers can point to this as evidence that the overall comparison is closer than the final 4-3 tally suggests. In any debate, Field Goal % is the statistical ammunition for the Austin Rivers side.

In NBA history, backcourt players are judged on their ability to create offense for themselves and teammates alike. Points per game captures scoring but assists and efficiency metrics reveal the complete offensive picture.

The verdict favors Ben McLemore — 4 categories to 3 — but Austin Rivers makes this far from a one-sided debate. Anyone building the case for Austin Rivers has real statistical ammunition particularly in Field Goal % where the gap narrows to just 1.2%. The numbers have spoken, but the argument will continue.