Hornets rookie guard Austin Rivers -- son of Celtics head coach Doc Rivers -- swung by the set of ESPN's "First Take" to discuss his favorite players, LeBron James, Ray Allen, and Boston's chances of defeating the Miami Heat this upcoming season with Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless.

"As funny as it sounds, I actually think both teams benefited (from Ray Allen signing with the Heat," Austin Rivers said. "I think the Heat got a lot better obviously, because now the floor is spaced with Ray Allen.

"And I think the Celtics got better, because first off it was disappointing to (see him) leave because he was a part of that whole buildup to the Celtics again, but now you have a better defender in Courtney Lee, who is a great on-the-ball defender and someone who is going to add to the great defense the Celtics play already. And then you have Jason Terry, who is instant offense, something the Celtics need when you have older players like KG and Paul Pierce that get hurt. So when you have guys that are going to be inconsistent, not due to how good they are but how old they are, and the fatigue of a long season, you have guys who can come in and give you instant offense."

And here's Rivers on the Celtics' chances of beating the Heat in the East:

"I think if there's one team in the East that can beat the Miami Heat I think it's the Boston Celtics. I think it's due to the players they have, the leadership my father has, how he motivates them. ... They're the only team that can do it."