Friday FT's: Doc vs. Austin; Pierces big entrance

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By Jessica Camerato
CSNNE.comFollow @JCameratoNBA
Welcome back to Friday Free Throws, a weekly recap of the most interesting news, notes, and information that may not have made the headlines but are still worth a read.

Even though Austin Rivers is just entering his freshman year at Duke University, his father already has a few thoughts about his future in the NBA.

Doc Rivers joined Austin on the Duke mens basketball teams trip to China as part of the Friendship Games tour. On Thursday, the Blue Devils made a stop in Dubai to play against the United Arab Emirates National Team.

There, Doc told the Gulf News, I hope that one day he plays in the NBA that would be great but I need to play against him. I mean coach a team against him. That would be fun because I know all his strengths and weaknesses.

"That's his dream too to play against one of my teams someday. I wouldn't mind him in my team but you know that would be tough because I have to go home to his mum every night."

While Austin is turning heads on the court (he scored 16 points against UAE), Doc turned heads in the stands during a game in China. The Duke Chronicle recounted, During the game, a number of famous personalities in the stands attracted the crowds attention. At halftime, a rapidly-growing group of somewhat-forceful fans surrounded Boston Celtics head coachand father of Austin RiversDoc Rivers, hoping to get autographs. Security personnel ultimately cleared the area, but not before a number of fans climbed up into the seating area in which Rivers sat.

Last week we told you about Kevin Garnetts tour of China, and Paul Pierce is there as well. Check out this video of his big reception upon arriving overseas.

An Ode to Red
Red Auerbach is best known for his ties to the Boston Celtics, so what does he have to do with a Cape Cod hotel? Back in the 1960s, Auerbach became an owner of what is now the Sea Crest Beach Hotel in North Falmouth. The spot of the playhouse-turned-speakeasy went unclaimed for years during World War II until Red Auerbach, along with partners Kenneth Battles and Steve Hill, purchased Sea Crest in 1963 and converted it into a year-round resort in 1971, according to Boston.com. The hotel, now under new ownership, was recently enhanced with a 15 million renovation which includes the restaurant and lounge, Reds, named in honor of Auerbach. The restaurants logo is appropriately a green shamrock with the word Reds scrawled across it inred.

Night Out with Waltah
Looking for something to do this weekend? If you live in Evansville, Indiana or Lexington, Kentucky, how about spending some time with "Waltah?" Former Celtic-turned R&B crooner Walter McCarty will be performing songs from his recent album, Faithfully, during the show A Night Out with Walter McCarty and Rob White.

McCarty, who released his first album while playing for the Cs, told the Evansville Courier & Press, "I've been fortunate and blessed to be able to do other things. I always saw basketball as something I did for fun. I was good at it, and I enjoyed playing all those years, but I always had passions for other things. So I was never concerned about life after basketball. Now, everybody says, 'What are you going to do next?' I'm just going to go ahead and enjoy myself."

Celtics Legends Give Back
Last week Celtics legends Dave Cowens and Tom "Satch" Sanders joined volunteers from Old Mutual Asset Management and others to organize donated childrens items for Cradles for Crayons, making custom C2C KidsPacks with items for disadvantaged children in Massachusetts. It was a great day helping Cradles to Crayons equip homeless and in-need children with basic essentials to prepare them for going back to school, Sanders said. Donating our time and these important supplies can only positively impact the lives and education of these children.

Celtics Birthdays of the Week
Quinn Buckner, who played three seasons for the Celtics in the 1980s, turned 57 on August 20. ... Damon Jones turned 35 on August 25. He played 13 games with the Celtics as a rookie during the 1998-99 season.... Celtics legend and Hall of Famer Tommy Heinsohn turned 77 on August 26. He averaged 18.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game during his career. Heinsohn won eight NBA Championships as a player on the Celtics and two as the teams coach.

Celtics Tweet of the Week
@paulpierce34: 415am here in Shaungyashan sun completely out yfrog.comh4puturmj

This Week in History
On August 25, 1997, former Celtics center Robert Parish announced his retirement from the NBA. Parish played 14 seasons in Boston, winning three championships with the Celtics. His number 00 jersey was retired by the organization.

Jessica Camerato is on Twitter at http:twitter.com!JCameratoNBA.

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