The stage means different things to different people.

For James Harden, it's the allure of a final, indisputable answer.

For Chris Paul, it's an annual journey that dates back to 2005 and still hasn't peaked.

For Austin Rivers?

Newness. Opportunity. The potential for a career breakthrough.

And maybe, just maybe, changing outdated public opinion that the 26-year-old Rockets guard often has little control over.

"Before I got here, I said I'm done trying to prove to everybody who I am as a person. I'm just going to be myself. If people like me, they do. And if they don't, they don't. I think it's just worked, honestly," said Rivers, who averaged 8.7 points and 2.3 assists in 47 regular-season games (13 starts) with the Rockets, and was one of general manager Daryl Morey's most important signings during the 2018-19 season.

The Rockets were 17-15 and still one of the NBA's most disappointing teams when they signed the No. 10 overall pick of the 2012 draft, who was joining his third franchise in two seasons.

On Dec. 24, 2018, the move felt a little desperate. Rivers had disappointed with a disappointing Washington team that would soon start getting rid of bigger names. Then there was the fact that every Rockets fan with a decent memory knew that the Los Angeles Clippers got a little dysfunctional during the awkward end to the Lob City days.

"Everywhere I go, people always say, 'Man, I thought you were way different.' Which is actually kind of unfortunate," Rivers said. "Especially in this league, you can go somewhere and if things may not work the right way or things may not go perfect, that's your reputation."

Rivers is now a key reserve for Mike D'Antoni's Rockets. He's also rediscovered his daily passion for basketball, which was impossible to ignore in recent interviews.

Honest. Humble. Grateful. During a time when most pro athletes say less and less in public, Rivers was real and direct.

"I'm so thankful because four months ago, five months ago, I couldn't have told you – I was like, 'What's going on man?' " Rivers said. "I just went from having a career year. I had a career year in L.A. and now, why am I here? You tend to start pointing the finger and complaining and you understand, 'This (stuff's) not easy.' "

Rivers' court time will fluctuate in the playoffs. He scored four points, stole two balls and recorded a rebound during 19 minutes in the Rockets' 32-point blowout in Game 1. In Game 2, it was eight points, a rebound and an assist in 21 minutes. There will be moments when he's essential to D'Antoni's rotation. There will be times when Rivers simply blends in on the bench, another face and another uniform, while Harden, Paul and Co. float along the hardwood.

But being a part of a reconstructed team that is aiming for its first NBA championship in 24 years?

Fitting in with Harden, Paul and Co., and being trusted with the ball in hand in D'Antoni's super-charged system?

Having something to play for in the postseason, and receiving a clean slate from devoted Rockets fans?

This is the best that basketball has been in a long while for the one-and-done Duke product, who's been viewed as everything from a weak villain to a fortunate coach's son, yet quickly won over the Rockets with his dedication and professionalism.

D'Antoni was asked what he thought about Rivers before he put on Rockets red. An extended pause followed.

"I'm trying to think of my perception before, other than just being Doc's son. The NBA's ready to put labels out there that, I would say 99 percent of the time, they're wrong. People start saying one thing and it takes years to change a reputation," said D'Antoni, who quickly erased his own outside perceptions after taking over the Rockets in May 2016. "I find what has grown is that he's even more of a competitor than I knew, not that I had an opinion. He's tough. I think he becomes big in big moments. He's really a lot better at getting to the rim than I thought. He's strong and he can have an edge to him. He's got a lot of good qualities that — I don't think I had an opinion before, because I hadn't watched him that much — I have come to appreciate."

Rivers has seen the other side of the sword.

You don't know someone until you actually know them.

"A lot of things are out of your control most of the time, actually," Rivers said. "I can't tell you how many teammates I've played with and before I met them, I heard they were this way. And then I meet 'em and I'm like, 'Man, you're nothing like I heard.' "

What changed for Rivers with the Rockets?

Nothing, other than timing, luck and chemistry.

"This is life, man. Life is not easy, man," Rivers said. "Even for someone like me, who makes a lot of money and gets to do this. People don't understand, you get uprooted and you have to change and adapt. It's not easy."

What does new opportunity feel like in the NBA, when you're still altering outside opinion and proving your worth on your fourth team in seven seasons?

Hope.

"I know how it's going to be," said Rivers, sounding confident but not cocky. "I'm going to hit big shots in the playoffs. I know I'm going to make big plays here. I know I'm going to help the team win. That's so exciting."

It was a weird thought and odd look less than four months ago. Rivers with Harden, Paul and the post-Carmelo Anthony Rockets.

"I got along with everybody here right away. Me and Mike hit it off right away. Me and James. Obviously, I already knew Chris," Rivers said. "(Heck), everybody thought me and Chris hated each other before I got here. It's just so crazy how this stuff works.

"That's why it was another good thing I got here — that was put to bed right away. Because if he had (a problem), I wouldn't have even came here. If I thought me and Chris had anything, I would never even chose to come here and they would have never wanted me. So that just goes to show you how, in today's day and age, all it takes is one thing to be on Instagram or Twitter, and people just roll with it."

It has clearly worked.

The Rockets are shooting for a championship. Rivers has his best shot to date, on a new NBA stage.

"I'm proud of myself, first and foremost, for making this work out," Rivers said. "I've played well. But I'm very thankful just for being in the situation and them giving me an opportunity. Everything works out for a reason. It's crazy how it works."