Summer ‘08 Players to Watch — Shaun Livingston
Shaun Livingston*Reprinted from Dime #42, on sale now*
After championships are won and lost, the NBA, college and high school basketball lays its foundation in the summer months. With the draft, the AAU circuit and summer camps giving rise to new stars replacing the old — plus the world’s most-watched basketball tournament getting underway in Beijing — we give you this summer’s Players 2 Watch…
In this day and age, between YouTube and 24-hour sports channels and the six million sports blogs on the web, you really had to try hard to not see Shaun Livingston’s stomach-turning February 2007 knee injury. And we’ve seen first-hand how some of the toughest guys you’d want to meet have made it a point not to watch.
Early in the first quarter of an otherwise-meaningless game between the Lottery-bound Clippers and the Lottery-bound Bobcats, Livingston went up for a layup and came down with his NBA career in serious jeopardy. His left leg having all but snapped in half at the knee, Livingston suffered a torn ACL, torn PCL, torn MCL, torn meniscus and dislocated patella. In short, his knee was a mess – the classic definition of a ballplayer “blowing out” the joint – the kind of injury that cautionary tales are made of.
After sitting out the entire ’07-08 season, Livingston is entering the final and most important stages of his rehab if he hopes to make it back to the League by next Opening Night. The 22-year-old point guard, a Top-5 pick in the ’04 Draft out of Peoria H.S. (Ill.), hasn’t been given up on by the Clippers. Despite an injury history that also includes shoulder and back problems, Livingston is in position to be the team’s starting PG upon his return, as Sam Cassell was cleared out late last season and only 32-year-old vet Brevin Knight stands in his way as of press time.
(Editor’s note: Since the issue went to press, the Clippers signed Baron Davis in free agency and did not tender Livingston a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.)
July 9th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Egg head says:
first. Baron Davis is my brother in law. He called me this morning and said, “I blew it”.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Ashlov says:
The Heat should pick up Shaun Livingston and see if he still has it.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Michorizo says:
Brand is my cousin. He called me this morning and said, “Im Rich Bitch!”
July 9th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
jnuh says:
Honestly, what did this guy “have” before he became a one-legged basketball player?
The answer to that question is: very little.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Damon says:
being a 6-7 point guard, he had:
unbelievable court vision and ballhandling for a player his size as well as good quickness and athleticism
July 9th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
doc says:
I never liked his game or seen what people were talking about in him.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
he proved nothing before his injury; except that maybe he should have went to college just to hit the weight room.
horrible injury that home slice didnt deserve. but at 22yrs old, he’s got a chance to redeem his career.
i wish him well…
people were hoping he was a new version of penny hardaway, but i never did see that in the leaue or before
July 9th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Homeless J says:
the best thing about him, and the aspect of his game I remember and admire most, was his afro.
I don’t think it’s any coincidence that he blew out his knee after he started rocking the cornrows more often.
as long as he doesn’t go bald, or find a way to break his hair, I see him still having a long and productive career in the NBA.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
The Don....Sterling (Mr.Clipper) says:
You seen Brand?
July 9th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
LakeShow84 says:
He wasnt bad.. on his way to being a top 15 point guard.. At a very young age mind you..
But that injury threw his career off 2-3 years.. Forever if he doesnt come back with the speed..
What stood out to me was his size (6′6 - 6′7) and speed (fast as hell lol) plus he had great court vision and nowadays finding a pass first PG who isnt UNDERSIZED is like finding gold..
July 9th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Celts Fan, "Kobe, Tell me how my @$$ tastes" says:
I’m w/ you guys that I didn’t see what all the hype was for either, but I’d still take a flyer on him. 6′ 7″ pgs, even below-average ones, do create mismatches. I’d be happy if the Celtics grabbed him. Worst case scenario is you rolled the dice and it didn’t work out. The Heat should think about it too.
July 9th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
shake&bake says:
He’s a tall, quick, athletic kid with good point guard skills. They saw potential at a young age just like a lot of other draft picks. Most young players coming in the league need to get stronger but he was way below what someone in the NBA’s strength level should be. He couldn’t even put up 185 once on the bench press at the predraft camp. He has some skills that will make him be able to develop in the league if he can kick the injury bug. The Clippers should lock him in the wieght room during his rehab and send him to Old Country Buffet for 5 meals a day.
July 9th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Dude def needs to add weight and strength..
July 9th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Bron42 had springs before slamball says:
he def didnt show much before the injury. He couldnt shoot, had no muscle and people were sayin he was the next magic johnson simply because he was a 6′7 passer. top 15 point guard? not even close. Hope he gets better though cuz that draft class is lookin bad with him and telfair suckin.
July 10th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
E-ROC says:
I think Shaun Livingston should bounce back in his second year removed from rehab. That’s when players return to their past capabilities, usually.