He also badly sprained his medial collateral ligament. So, through two games of the Finals, McGee and Livingston have combined to score 36 points a blown dunk away from perfection. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. [25] Before the beginning of the season, however, they were all waived. Livingston could have walked away from the game of basketball when he suffered a leg injury early in his NBA career. [39] Despite the Warriors going up 31 in the series following a Game 4 win, they went on to lose the series in seven games to the Cleveland Cavaliers. (To be fair, Golden State made 39.6 percent of its threes with Livingston on the court this year, which is really good.). Stiff. The Warriors knew that when Steph sat, we werent all looking at our watches, waiting for him to check back in Shaun was going to hold down the fort. This naturally creates openings for teammates of the Core Four, and McGee and Livingston are taking full advantage. Sports provides an update on Shaun Livingston's status:. Put another way, he knows his role. In Game One of the NBA Finals with the Cleveland Cavs concentrating on defending the 3-point line, Livingston dominated the game from 15 feet away. Even though he's capable of making them, Golden State's reliable backup point guard continues to do his best work inside the arc. Here are their paint points by game the first five of this series: 40, 44, 40, 50, 60. [33] On March 17, Livingston set a career-high for both minutes played and points scored in a season. It didnt work out and he spent the following two seasons in China.). Mobile: +254 798 368 561. Livingston signed a three-year deal the following offseason with the Warriors, and the rest of the story is straight out of a movie script. I was just keeping to myself and my family, and praying about it. But when you really step back and observe Livingstons shot chart with a birds eye view, its easy to forget just how unusual it is for someone to thrive as a guard in todays NBA without ever being even the slightest threat from deep. David West was the ideal complement to Livingston in the twilight of their careers. Asked by: Mario Argana. Just to get more scoring at that position, Kerr said. Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. Shaun Livingston is the perfect example of a player who faced a tragic injury but never gave up. Livingston with his size and speed and high Bball IQ is not comparable to either Poole or OPjr. The holidays were not very kind for Shaun Livingston, I mean golly! Despite having a great shooting %, he did occasionally miss shots during the course of his career. Livingston had a cup of coffee with the Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies, and even spent time in what is now the NBA G League over the next two years, but was unable to find a long-term home. Marc Spears of Yahoo! The Cleveland Cavaliers claimed him off waivers days later.Nine years in to his NBA career, Livingston seemed finally healthy and able to reach his somewhat of his potential with the Brooklyn Nets during the 2013-14 season. On September 13, 2019, Livingston announced his retirement from the NBA. He led Concordia Lutheran Grade School to LSA state titles in 1999 and 2000. A freak injury, though, is a random one -- with an emphasis on one -- as in, an unforeseen, atypical, nonrecurring deal. Livingstons total: six. This is a carousel. [11] On June 16, 2008, doctors allowed Livingston to resume basketball activities;[12] during the 2008 offseason, he tried to find a guaranteed contract to finalize his comeback. [37] He recovered in time to make his debut for the team in their season opener, and served as a key player off the bench for the Warriors in their run to the 2015 NBA Championship and soon became an integral member of the Warriors dynasty.[38]. Kerr shared his sentiments on Livingston with a tweet Sunday, calling the former Golden State point guard "one of the best people I've been around." "It's a work in progress. It was usually Steph and KD or Draymond and Klay. He finally regained a foothold in the league while with the Brooklyn Nets, as he went from being signed for guard depth to starting 10 of the teams 12 postseason gamesin 2014. Alipour: Livingston still plans to be Clips' future, 'It's going to be epic': Stephen Curry and LeBron James face off -- again, Panthers in awe after ousting 'unbelievable' Bruins, Kraken win 1st playoff series, oust champion Avs, Curry sets G7 record with 50 as Dubs move on, Bergeron undecided on future after B's stunner, Harper may return Tue., 160 days post-TJ surgery, Grizz's Brooks doesn't regret verbal jab at LeBron, LB Barrett's 2-year-old daughter drowns in pool, Griner: 1st practice 'everything I wanted it to be', Which teams will reach the NBA conference finals? Livingston committed to Duke, but opted to skip college and enter the 2004 NBA Draft where he was selected fourth by the Los Angeles Clippers. [27] He was waived by the Wizards on December 23, 2012.[28]. Rivals.com, named him the no.1 point guard in college basketball and the no. Thats just taking good shots, he said. The first of his back-to-back NBA slam-dunk contest championships for Michael Jordan and the true crowning of Air Jordan in the NBA. He required months of rehabilitation to be able to walk again. When he first signed with Golden State, Steve Kerrs coaching staff encouraged him to space out to the corner, a migration that would not only increase his general point production but theoretically let the Warriorss offense thrive inside even wider dimensions than they already do. Mid range GOAT. Our experts predict every series, Liverpool rescue three points, chase top-four finish after surviving epic Spurs comeback, Jets' Aaron Rodgers expects a 'heaven' and 'hell' relationship with Zach Wilson, XFL semifinals: Defenders roll Sea Dragons, set up title showdown with Renegades, Song punishes Simon in one-sided TKO victory, Memphis wasn't 'fine in the West' -- getting there hinges on massive culture questions, Why the Lakers' real test begins now, after dispatching the No. I just couldnt move it. If you were an opposing point guard, youd have to worry about Currys 3-point shot as soon as he crosses the halfcourt mark. Livingston played competitive basketball in high school at Peoria High School for two years[1] and then transferred to Peoria Central High School, where he led his team to back-to-back Class AA state titles in 2003 and 2004. "It didn't factor in that this was a career-threatening injury," Livingston says, matter of factly. [43] He went unsigned during free agency. The change clearly worked: McGee scored 12 points in 18 minutes, on 6-for-6 shooting from the field (five dunks and a layup). Those tests take place at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in L.A., where Livingston has bunkered down in a five-days-a-week rehabilitation program. "They've brought in guards before," he says. According to Cleaning the Glass, hes ranked in the 100th percentile over the last three regular and post-seasons on the percentage of his shots hoisted between four feet from the rim and the arc. \"When the chips are down, I want you to understand the type of person I am.\u201d<\/p>\n
Livingston has become an inspiration to many who have suffered catastrophic injuries of their own and plans to eventually release a memoir detailing his NBA odyssey.<\/p>\n", mps => {"author":"Alex Didion","league":"","sport":"","sponsor":""}, image => {"uri":"public:\/\/archive\/assets_article\/bayarea\/2019\/09\/13\/livingston_retires.jpg","alt":"livingston_retires.jpg","title":"Shaun Livingston announces retirement from NBA"}, video_url => "https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/bayarea\/video\/shaun-livingston-announces-retirement-nba", chrome_data => "{\"league\":\"\",\"sport\":\"\",\"sponsor\":\"\"}", fb_url => "https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dialog\/share?app_id=304476467003440&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fbayarea%2Fwarriors%2Fshaun-livingstons-journey-horrific-injury-warriors-nba-champion&display=popup", tw_url => "https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Shaun%20Livingston%27s%20journey%20from%20horrific%20injury%20to%20Warriors%20NBA%20champion&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fbayarea%2Fwarriors%2Fshaun-livingstons-journey-horrific-injury-warriors-nba-champion&original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fbayarea%2Fwarriors%2Fshaun-livingstons-journey-horrific-injury-warriors-nba-champion", mailto => "mailto:?subject=Shaun%20Livingston%27s%20journey%20from%20horrific%20injury%20to%20Warriors%20NBA%20champion&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fbayarea%2Fwarriors%2Fshaun-livingstons-journey-horrific-injury-warriors-nba-champion", meta => {"file":"\/mnt\/gfs\/rsnunited\/sites\/default\/files\/archive\/article\/bayarea\/warriors\/shaun-livingstons-journey-horrific-injury-warriors-nba-champion.json","assets":["public:\/\/archive\/assets_article\/bayarea\/2019\/09\/13\/livingston_retires.jpg"]}, orig_image => {"uri":"public:\/\/2019\/09\/13\/livingston_retires.jpg","alt":"livingston_retires.jpg","title":"Shaun Livingston announces retirement from NBA"}. [47], 100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament, Shaun Livingston official website: About Shaun Livingston, "Deng, Livingston forgo Duke for NBA Draft", "Heat's Pat Riley: No plans to purse any veteran free agents", "Brand Throws a Block Party in Clippers' Win", "Livingston out for season with major knee injury", "Clippers renounce rights to Livingston, four other players", "Shaun Livingston resumes basketball related activities", "Grizzlies trade conditional second round draft pick to Miami", "Thunder acquires Eric Maynor from Jazz, waives Livingston and Wilks", "Wizards Sign Livingston For Remainder of the Season", "Bobcats Sign Point Guard Shaun Livingston", "Bucks acquire Jackson, Livingston, Udrih and draft rights to Tobias Harris in a three-team trade", "Rockets Receive 12th Overall Pick Via Trade With Bucks", "Rockets trim roster to 15, waive Livingston", Cavaliers Claim Shaun Livingston Off Waivers, Waive Donald Sloan, Brooklyn Nets sign guard Shaun Livingston, Trail Blazers surge past Nets for 7th straight win, Shaun Livingston resurrects his career with Brooklyn Nets, Warriors Sign Free Agent Shaun Livingston to Contract, Warriors Reach Three-Year, $16M Deal With Shaun Livingston, Warriors' Livingston out 6-8 weeks with toe injury, Warriors' supporting cast leads Game 1 NBA Finals win, "Warriors Re-Sign Curry, Durant, Iguodala, Livingston, Pachulia and West to Contracts", "Shaun Livingston staying with Warriors on 3-year, $24 million deal", "NBA official Courtney Kirkland and Warriors' Shaun Livingston suspended", "Shaun Livingston announces retirement from NBA", "Warriors Name Shaun Livingston Director of Player Affairs and Engagement 14-Year NBA Veteran Won Three Championships with Golden State", "Thompson: Shaun Livingston's purposeful decision to sign on as a Warriors exec", "NBA Player Shaun Livingston jump-starts Concordia Lutheran School renovations with $1 million donation", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shaun_Livingston&oldid=1151991769, Director of players affairs and engagement, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 27 April 2023, at 14:00. Shaun Patrick Livingston (born September 11, 1985) is an American professional basketball executive and former player. He announced his retirement Friday in an emotional Instagram post, closing the book on a remarkable 15-year career. On the defensive end, he was quick enough to check opposing guards but his size fit perfectly into Kerrs switching defense. [3] He committed to play college hoops at Duke, but opted instead to make the jump to the NBA straight out of high school. "He's a young kid, an intelligent kid, and he's working it the right way to get back out there. If Shaun was drawing attention in the post and the cut was covered, West was one of the best mid-range shooters in the league and provided an easy outlet. In reality, he had a 48.2% lifetime field goal percentage, which is extremely excellent but not ideal. But whenever he sat, the offense fell apart. "When the chips are down, I want you to understand the type of person I am.. There was a time in history when Livingston and Walton actually shared the court together and made a pretty juicy bench combo themselves. "They've brought in guards before," he says. Both had played for over a decade and found perfect roles as veterans that outsmarted their opponents and out-shot them with feathery, textbook jumpers. Hes an exceptional passer who feels his way through the game, takes what is given, and understands his role. But during his four years in Golden State the offense has suffered compared to when hes on the bench. That 60 came on Wednesday night in Sacramento. At the same time, the Golden State Warriors were thirsty for a backup point guard. The Cavs obviously are spending most of their time trying to devise ways to slow All-Stars Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Green. Your IP: The game ended with James jawing with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and then teammate Tristan Thompson getting ejected for a flagrant foul after he got upset when Shaun Livingston attempted a. Here are the other two that were good. "Is that a realistic goal? Now, it's inside paint and outside the 3 that is a winning formula. 1 point guard and the No. These atypical bench combos (that were interesting enough for ESPNs Zach Lowe to make a segment out of it) became a staple of Livingstons time in Golden State. Peoria Central HS (IL) DRAFT. That's how they want me to feel. I've had some freak accidents happen.". "I wouldn't rush him because it's a major injury, and you want it to heal as best as possible," Mobley says. Thats to be expected, considering those minutes often coincide with Steph Currys rest, but the entire teams percentage of shots from the mid-range rises while their shots from beyond the arc drop, significantly. Livingston was the 4th player picked in his draft straight out of high school. The 6-foot-7 guard continued to put in the work to get back to full strength, and it all paid off for him. I think he's a great shooter, but he knows his range. This time, itd be much easier. "I would love to be back sometime in January so I can have most of the season to get my team to the playoffs," he says. On Sunday, against the Cavs, Kerr felt comfortable starting McGee. Shaun Livingston's five most memorable moments in five Warriors seasons, alias => "bayarea\/\/warriors\/shaun-livingstons-journey-horrific-injury-warriors-nba-champion", title => "Shaun Livingston's journey from horrific injury to Warriors NBA champion", article_body => "
It was just another routine night in the NBA.<\/p>\n
Shaun Livingston, then on the backend of his third year in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers, was making his 31st start of the season against the Charlotte Bobcats.<\/p>\n
After a steal at midcourt, Livingston glided across the floor with ease and rose up for a layup.<\/p>\n
What happened next changed the course of his life, and threw a seemingly insurmountable curveball at what was a promising NBA career.<\/p>\n
As the stretcher was brought out, many who had seen Livingston\u2019s knee bend so unnaturally wondered if the 21-year-old ever would be able to walk again, much less play in the NBA.<\/p>\n
Livingston tore his ACL, PCL, and meniscus, in addition to dislocating his left knee cap and breaking his left leg. ", First published on June 5, 2016 / 10:09 AM. I thought he did a great job.. Following the 2018-19 season, and after winning three NBA championships with Golden State, Livingston announced his retirement from the league as a player, at least. Basketball was the sport of his choice and he began . 2 overall player in the country. It was like I had a spare leg. The Golden State Warriors have named Shaun Livingston Director of Player Affairs and Engagement, the team announced today. Its more so just what I do. Shaun could play with Steph or Klay and it wasnt hard to fit alongside Durant, who could score regardless of who was out there with him. It was such a stomach-turning video that ESPNEWS put a warning for viewers on-screen before showing the clip. <\/p>\n
\"It's probably the most serious injury you can have to the knee,\" then-Clippers physician Dr. Tony Daly said to ESPN<\/a> the day after the injury. And Steve Kerr couldn't be any happier that he ever had the chance to coach Livingston on the Warriors. Hes still, at 32 years old, obviously effective enough to justify this antiquated shot selection, but life inside the arc doesnt come without a cost, even on a team blessed with three of the ten purest shooters who ever lived. Shaun Livingston, then on the backend of his third year in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers, was making his 31st start of the season against the Charlotte Bobcats. In 2007, Livingston was voted one of the 100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament for his superior performance in the tournament. He made 17 starts in the regular season, so he understands how to coexist with his four All-Star teammates. [26] On November 15, 2012, Livingston signed with the Washington Wizards. I love the backup point guard archetype and my favorite team had managed to sign the best backup point guard in the league. "Obviously, Steph and Klay, the way they space the floorDraymond and Andre stretch the floor There's all that space inside," he said. In the same season, the Warriors had the fifth-most effective bench in the league per Hoops Stats despite only Livingston and Iggy making more than the minimum salary. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. There arent many players in the league that could do what he did and his size and defensive versatility helped him play with and without Steph Curry something that helped the Golden State Warriors start a dynasty in 2015. This marked the first change in Golden States lineup since Andre Iguodala banged knees with James Harden in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals against Houston. Heres the crazy part: McGee played only three minutes in the entire West finals. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7c0765e7aded497b 2 player in the nation in 2004. McGee, Livingston combined: Zero missed shots in Game 2, Warriors ride Stephen Currys big 4th quarter to Game 2 win over Cavs in NBA Finals, NBA Finals drama? "Everyone is on me," he said of his teammates. Privacy Policy. Though a source within the Clippers organization says the team expects to have Livingston back in March, almost one year after the 21-year-old point guard tore his MCL, ACL, PCL and lateral meniscus -- and dislocated his patella and tibia-femoral, to boot -- during a contest with the Bobcats, Livingston believes he can do better. It took Livingston nearly two years to return to an NBA court, but he did, playing four games for the Miami Heat in the 2008-09 season. The fact that Shaun Livingston ever became a three-time NBA champion is a miracle in itself. His Media Blitz column appears in ESPN The Magazine and regularly on Page 2. At this point, he was still trying to establish himself as an elite guard in the league but had flashed potential with his size and athleticism. [22], On July 20, 2010, Livingston signed a two-year contract worth $7 million with the Charlotte Bobcats. 1 college football recruit. Livingston, for his part, isn't concerned with the incoming competition. During Game 4 of the 2016 Western Conference semi-finals, Livingston was ejected late in the second quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers. After the knee injuries, Shaun Livingston flew all around the country, trying to find a permanent home. He joined the title-contending Nets that had future Hall of Famers in Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce alongside All-Stars like Joe Johnson, Deron Williams, Brook Lopez, and Andrei Kirilenko. Head coach Steve Kerr didnt want to use him because of Houstons isolation offense, so Kerr leaned on Looney and Jordan Bell, both of whom are better at switching onto guards. Both make you wonder, just a tiny bit, how much higher the level of stress would be defending this team if opponents couldnt ignore him off the ball like theyre currently inclined to do. The step toward realizing the potential the Clippers saw when they selected the highly touted, Peoria (Ill.) Central prep star fourth overall in the 2004 NBA draft. weak point in the defense. Home; About. In terms of accuracy, hes been above the 91st percentile in field-goal percentage from that area for the past three regular seasons. There was legitimately a point where Shaun thought the leg would need to be completely amputated.Through this injury came a long road to recovery, starting with him having to learn to walk again. When the chips are down, I want you to understand the type of person I am.Thanks for checking out the video, be sure to subscribe to the page and follow LeagueAlerts on all platforms for the best basketball coverage. In the Western Conference Finals, Golden States offense only scored 105.4 points per 100 possessions with him on the court, a number that spiked to 115.5 when he sat. Shaun was blessed with a good height and an athletic body, which helped him excel in sports ever since he was a kid. HE put up a contested layup, and landed really awkwardly on that left leg. Ever. LAST ATTENDED. That's exactly what this gangly kid with a soft voice has become, and he knows it, and he even knows why, so he's taking measures that he hopes will exterminate the injury bug, or at least keep the critter at bay. Livingston, who was crucial to what they did on both ends, was a holdover from the previous team and he had to redefine himself once again. "He might miss all of next year.". General manager Bob Myers, standing in one corner of the locker room after Sundays 122-103 victory in Game 2, chuckled loudly upon learning McGee and Livingston are perfect when defended by actual human beings. 73 isnt possible without elite talent across the entire roster and Livingston was the best at what he did. His size for the position made him just as much of an anomaly as Stephs incendiary shooting. While he did play well in his first two or three seasons, he did have some nagging injuries that kept him from being active as much as hed like.After some of the growing pains, the Clippers were hoping for a breakthrough season for Livingston until the nightmare of his life arrived on Feb. 26, 2007.The Clippers were playing the Charlotte Bobcats, and Shaun was on a fastbreak. He announced his retirement Friday in an emotional Instagram post, closing the book on a remarkable 15-year career.<\/p>\n As he lay on the wood at Staples Center on that fateful night in 2007, writhing in pain as thousands collectively cringed at the sight of his deformed left leg, no one would have told you this NBA story would end not only on his terms,<\/a> but also come with a trio of dazzling championship rings and a legacy of unbelievable tenacity. <\/p>\n