Shaun Livingston isn't a household name by any stretch of the imagination. Some NBA fans may of never heard of him until this season, or better yet till this Nets and Heat series that has Shaun in the Nets starting line-up. He's truly resurrected his career with the Nets, being able to play PG, SG, and SF with his 6'7'' wiry frame, and an ability to create for himself or others.
If you are newer to the NBA as a whole you might not know what or who he really is. If you are a big-time fan for me I think it's time we start to give this guy a ton of credit and respect. For those that stumbled upon this, it's simply a feel good story of great work ethic and not letting rejection or failure stand in your way. Shaun Livingston has been a man determined since he was born. Man of Steel, I think that's his new nickname... or Sneaky Shaun Shakin.... hah....
In the playoffs the Nets beat the Heat in Game 3 of the series, giving them a real fighters chance to come back now down 2-1 games in the series. Livingston was been a great move into the starting lineup by coach Jason Kidd and he causes a lot of matchup issues allowing DWill to play off the ball. Now many might think he is just one of those random NBA players that played some years in Europe and then came over here; or to new fans he just never panned out as a draft pick and has been hunting to keep a roster spot or find the right fit and the right team. The latter is partially true, but only as a result of the worse basketball event I have ever seen live.
I still can't really watch it... not only is it visibly troubling but it's also extremely tragic. For those a but uneasy when it comes to watching injury related things, just pass on this video.
Shaun Livingston could of become one of the best players in the NBA... PERIOD.
He was drafted by the LA Clippers right out of High School with the 4th overall pick in the solid 2004 Draft. He was taken a pick before still solid PG Devin Harris, and also ahead of Luol Deng, Andre Iguodala, Josh Smith, Al Jefferson, Kevin Martin, Trevor Ariza, etc. He was a 6'7'' freakishly long and athletic PG with a near 7 foot wing-span that had dominated High School ball in the greater Chicago area.
In 2004 he was the co-MVP of the McDonald's All American game, proving he was as talented as all those players drafted behind him, some All-Stars and even Franchise level type players. He dominated HS ball winning 2 consecutive state titles, was declared to go to Duke but decided to go pro as a result of his combination of talent, potential, and guaranteed money as a top 5 pick (guaranteed 10-15 million back then for 3 or 4 years worse case). He made the right move too.
He entered the league like most 18/19 year old kids do, full of talent and potential, but needing to adapt his body to that of a mans league as well as learn the style and pace of the NBA. His first two seasons he spent backing up veteran PG Sam Cassell who was a great player in his prime and still a solid player, but also a mentor to young Shaun. The Clippers had their best season EVER in 2005-2006, his 2nd year, as they had All-Star Elton Brand playing at a high level with other good players like scorers Corey Maggette and Cuttino Mobley, solid Center in Chris Kaman, and veteran PG in Sam Cassell, with Shaun as 6th man of the team. The Clippers had finally made the playoffs, won in the first round, and then faced the D'Antoni / Nash Suns and lost to them in Game 7. After that year people expected the Clippers to become legit, and this obviously didn't happen....
The following year nobody on that Clippers team improved their game aside from Shaun. He was having that very common "3rd season breakout year" to start the season. Now Livingston wasn't a 3pt shooter, but more of a "do it all on both ends" type of player that could get assists and play that PG role. A month into the season he started playing like a star, often filling up the stat sheet and scoring at least 10+ points in half of his 58 games that season. He posted a 14 point and career high 14 assist game before the final game of his Clipper career (shown above vs Charlotte) where he was starting again (over Cassell) and only 3 minutes and 50 seconds into the game that freakish play happened....
While the numbers don't show how great he was becoming ( 9.3 Ppg, 5.1 Apg, 3.4 Rpg, 1.2 Spg, a solid 46%FG which is solid for a guard all in 29.8 minutes a game). I remember the months prior to the injury, he was really becoming a force and future face of the NBA. With his improvement each year there was no reason to think he wouldn't become a full-time starter (getting 36 minutes a game) that could average 14-16 points, 7-8 assists, 5-6 rebounds, 1.5-2.0 steals and even close to 1.0 blocks while he also lead his team on both ends. I'm trying to be realistic, but 18 Ppg, 9 Apg, 8 Rpg (near Triple Double type of player) with great defense is something that would of been a site to see.
His injury was determined "Career Ending", all at the age of 21. I don't think any of us thought we'd see him in the NBA again, well not in any serious matter anyway. And it looked that way for a bit too. How the injury effected him physically is one thing, but what it could of done or did do to his mental state or psyche. To go from highly touted and the best player of his draft class (or top of it) to unable to really make a serious roster spot on an NBA team would play some games with your mind.
Shaun Livingston was never a vocal guy, and he was extremely hard to read or observe. He rehabbed and came back, signing with the Heat in 2008, less than 2 years after his "Career Ending Injury", but at the time the Heat was a lottery team and he simply just got a chance to play some minutes at the end of the regular season. The following 3-4 years he played on 6 different teams including the Heat, Thunder, Bucks, Bobcats, and Cavs.
In 2012-2013 it appeared he was no longer just a "roster spot out of pity" but rather a role player that could play 2-3 positions and truly help a team. While he played 56 games that year for two teams, he was able to show that he could still score, still pass, still defend, rebound, and had really raised his basketball IQ and adapted his tall, lengthy body combined with great ball-handling to become an effective player.
Up to this point he was playing as a 3rd string type of player, even though he was having 2nd string impact and finally looked confident and comfortable out there. Jason Kidd and the Brooklyn Nets must of noticed, as he finally signed a fully guaranteed for the season contract. As the year went on, he proved to be a great pickup, especially when Deron Williams was out with injury. There were games that looked like flashbacks of him as a young Clipper....and for some reason he just matches up well with the Heat.
In the regular season, the Nets dominated the Heat all 4 games, and Shaun was a big part. I recall watching their game on January 10th, when he had 19 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks and 1 steal in a solid win getting to the Free Throw line making 7 of 8, and shooting 6-11 FG. At this point it struck me that he wasn't a mascot anymore sticking around the league because he deserved to be there; rather he was only 28 years old, usually a players prime years, and he had adapted his game and found the right fit.
This year is statistically the best year for Livingston, posting a career high 14.5 PER and career high 4.4 Win Shares. That's basically the level of a role playing starter or solid rotation player. He'd officially worked himself from "Career Ending Injury" to a legit NBA Rotation player on a playoff contending team. So his playoff success comes at no surprise to me, especially against the Nets. But wow do I enjoy it.
Watching him dominate at this point of his career against the best team in the NBA (Heat or Spurs) is inspiring. He had a dunk tonight that was simply amazing to watch. And at the end of the first quarter he made a miraculous play.....
Do the Nets have a real chance to beat the Heat in 7 Games? Before tonight I would of said no chance in... anyway, after tonight, I think there's a chance, however slim it may be. I'm rooting for Shaun Livingston and the elderly but talented Nets roster!
Shaun Livingston never strayed from his goal 5 years ago that he would return to the NBA and be a competent role player. It took serious mental strength. Teams signed him for 10 day contracts then released him. Another year he was signed and playing OK and all the sudden was thrown in a random trade. He had been released by 4 teams and played for 7 by this season. He had all the reason in the world to have a negative outlook on life. But that's just not who he is.
I think Shaun will be a solid backup, role starter, or rotation player for at least 3 more years, if not for a decade. He is a perfect point-forward or a SG that helps the PG with ball-handling and passing. Defensively he will always be able to help with his size and long arms combined with his high IQ.
I think we all need to stop for a second and remember what happened to this 21 year old kid. To be where he is currently at I would of given a 1% chance after the Clippers let him post-injury. He is the example of a real NBA star. He plays the game because he loves it. He's never made more than rookie level money or veteran minimum money, yet he's out there playing at a high level and is as competitive as anyone out there playing against the returning 2-time champs!
How can you not root for him! His 9.5 points, 3.6 rebounds. 3.3 assists and 54%FG aren't going unnoticed. This off-season I hope a team offers him a 2-3 year deal... nobody deserves it more!
If you are newer to the NBA as a whole you might not know what or who he really is. If you are a big-time fan for me I think it's time we start to give this guy a ton of credit and respect. For those that stumbled upon this, it's simply a feel good story of great work ethic and not letting rejection or failure stand in your way. Shaun Livingston has been a man determined since he was born. Man of Steel, I think that's his new nickname... or Sneaky Shaun Shakin.... hah....
In the playoffs the Nets beat the Heat in Game 3 of the series, giving them a real fighters chance to come back now down 2-1 games in the series. Livingston was been a great move into the starting lineup by coach Jason Kidd and he causes a lot of matchup issues allowing DWill to play off the ball. Now many might think he is just one of those random NBA players that played some years in Europe and then came over here; or to new fans he just never panned out as a draft pick and has been hunting to keep a roster spot or find the right fit and the right team. The latter is partially true, but only as a result of the worse basketball event I have ever seen live.
I still can't really watch it... not only is it visibly troubling but it's also extremely tragic. For those a but uneasy when it comes to watching injury related things, just pass on this video.
Shaun Livingston could of become one of the best players in the NBA... PERIOD.
He was drafted by the LA Clippers right out of High School with the 4th overall pick in the solid 2004 Draft. He was taken a pick before still solid PG Devin Harris, and also ahead of Luol Deng, Andre Iguodala, Josh Smith, Al Jefferson, Kevin Martin, Trevor Ariza, etc. He was a 6'7'' freakishly long and athletic PG with a near 7 foot wing-span that had dominated High School ball in the greater Chicago area.
In 2004 he was the co-MVP of the McDonald's All American game, proving he was as talented as all those players drafted behind him, some All-Stars and even Franchise level type players. He dominated HS ball winning 2 consecutive state titles, was declared to go to Duke but decided to go pro as a result of his combination of talent, potential, and guaranteed money as a top 5 pick (guaranteed 10-15 million back then for 3 or 4 years worse case). He made the right move too.
He entered the league like most 18/19 year old kids do, full of talent and potential, but needing to adapt his body to that of a mans league as well as learn the style and pace of the NBA. His first two seasons he spent backing up veteran PG Sam Cassell who was a great player in his prime and still a solid player, but also a mentor to young Shaun. The Clippers had their best season EVER in 2005-2006, his 2nd year, as they had All-Star Elton Brand playing at a high level with other good players like scorers Corey Maggette and Cuttino Mobley, solid Center in Chris Kaman, and veteran PG in Sam Cassell, with Shaun as 6th man of the team. The Clippers had finally made the playoffs, won in the first round, and then faced the D'Antoni / Nash Suns and lost to them in Game 7. After that year people expected the Clippers to become legit, and this obviously didn't happen....
The following year nobody on that Clippers team improved their game aside from Shaun. He was having that very common "3rd season breakout year" to start the season. Now Livingston wasn't a 3pt shooter, but more of a "do it all on both ends" type of player that could get assists and play that PG role. A month into the season he started playing like a star, often filling up the stat sheet and scoring at least 10+ points in half of his 58 games that season. He posted a 14 point and career high 14 assist game before the final game of his Clipper career (shown above vs Charlotte) where he was starting again (over Cassell) and only 3 minutes and 50 seconds into the game that freakish play happened....
While the numbers don't show how great he was becoming ( 9.3 Ppg, 5.1 Apg, 3.4 Rpg, 1.2 Spg, a solid 46%FG which is solid for a guard all in 29.8 minutes a game). I remember the months prior to the injury, he was really becoming a force and future face of the NBA. With his improvement each year there was no reason to think he wouldn't become a full-time starter (getting 36 minutes a game) that could average 14-16 points, 7-8 assists, 5-6 rebounds, 1.5-2.0 steals and even close to 1.0 blocks while he also lead his team on both ends. I'm trying to be realistic, but 18 Ppg, 9 Apg, 8 Rpg (near Triple Double type of player) with great defense is something that would of been a site to see.
His injury was determined "Career Ending", all at the age of 21. I don't think any of us thought we'd see him in the NBA again, well not in any serious matter anyway. And it looked that way for a bit too. How the injury effected him physically is one thing, but what it could of done or did do to his mental state or psyche. To go from highly touted and the best player of his draft class (or top of it) to unable to really make a serious roster spot on an NBA team would play some games with your mind.
Shaun Livingston was never a vocal guy, and he was extremely hard to read or observe. He rehabbed and came back, signing with the Heat in 2008, less than 2 years after his "Career Ending Injury", but at the time the Heat was a lottery team and he simply just got a chance to play some minutes at the end of the regular season. The following 3-4 years he played on 6 different teams including the Heat, Thunder, Bucks, Bobcats, and Cavs.
In 2012-2013 it appeared he was no longer just a "roster spot out of pity" but rather a role player that could play 2-3 positions and truly help a team. While he played 56 games that year for two teams, he was able to show that he could still score, still pass, still defend, rebound, and had really raised his basketball IQ and adapted his tall, lengthy body combined with great ball-handling to become an effective player.
Up to this point he was playing as a 3rd string type of player, even though he was having 2nd string impact and finally looked confident and comfortable out there. Jason Kidd and the Brooklyn Nets must of noticed, as he finally signed a fully guaranteed for the season contract. As the year went on, he proved to be a great pickup, especially when Deron Williams was out with injury. There were games that looked like flashbacks of him as a young Clipper....and for some reason he just matches up well with the Heat.
In the regular season, the Nets dominated the Heat all 4 games, and Shaun was a big part. I recall watching their game on January 10th, when he had 19 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks and 1 steal in a solid win getting to the Free Throw line making 7 of 8, and shooting 6-11 FG. At this point it struck me that he wasn't a mascot anymore sticking around the league because he deserved to be there; rather he was only 28 years old, usually a players prime years, and he had adapted his game and found the right fit.
This year is statistically the best year for Livingston, posting a career high 14.5 PER and career high 4.4 Win Shares. That's basically the level of a role playing starter or solid rotation player. He'd officially worked himself from "Career Ending Injury" to a legit NBA Rotation player on a playoff contending team. So his playoff success comes at no surprise to me, especially against the Nets. But wow do I enjoy it.
Watching him dominate at this point of his career against the best team in the NBA (Heat or Spurs) is inspiring. He had a dunk tonight that was simply amazing to watch. And at the end of the first quarter he made a miraculous play.....
Do the Nets have a real chance to beat the Heat in 7 Games? Before tonight I would of said no chance in... anyway, after tonight, I think there's a chance, however slim it may be. I'm rooting for Shaun Livingston and the elderly but talented Nets roster!
Shaun Livingston never strayed from his goal 5 years ago that he would return to the NBA and be a competent role player. It took serious mental strength. Teams signed him for 10 day contracts then released him. Another year he was signed and playing OK and all the sudden was thrown in a random trade. He had been released by 4 teams and played for 7 by this season. He had all the reason in the world to have a negative outlook on life. But that's just not who he is.
I think Shaun will be a solid backup, role starter, or rotation player for at least 3 more years, if not for a decade. He is a perfect point-forward or a SG that helps the PG with ball-handling and passing. Defensively he will always be able to help with his size and long arms combined with his high IQ.
I think we all need to stop for a second and remember what happened to this 21 year old kid. To be where he is currently at I would of given a 1% chance after the Clippers let him post-injury. He is the example of a real NBA star. He plays the game because he loves it. He's never made more than rookie level money or veteran minimum money, yet he's out there playing at a high level and is as competitive as anyone out there playing against the returning 2-time champs!
How can you not root for him! His 9.5 points, 3.6 rebounds. 3.3 assists and 54%FG aren't going unnoticed. This off-season I hope a team offers him a 2-3 year deal... nobody deserves it more!
Comments
Post a Comment