Shaun Livingston (born September 11, 1985) is an American professional basketball executive and former player. Livingston entered the league directly out of high school and was selected fourth by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2004 NBA draft. In a 15 year professional career in the league, Livingston played 959 games for nine teams and won three NBA championships as a Golden State Warrior—in 2015, 2017 and 2018. In 2007, Livingston suffered a debilitating knee injury that damaged almost every part of his left knee. It took him about a year and a half to return. Between 2008 and 2010 he played only 22 league games. Livingston has played for the Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets, and Tulsa 66ers. He played his last five seasons in the league with the Warriors and retired from professional basketball in September 2019.

Shaun Livingston
Livingston with the Golden State Warriors in 2016
Personal information
Born (1985-09-11) September 11, 1985 (age 38)
Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight192 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High schoolPeoria (Peoria, Illinois)
NBA draft2004: 1st round, 4th overall pick
Selected by the Los Angeles Clippers
Playing career2004–2019
PositionShooting guard
Number14, 2, 8, 9, 34
Career history
20042008Los Angeles Clippers
2008–2009Miami Heat
2009Tulsa 66ers
2009Oklahoma City Thunder
2010Washington Wizards
2010–2011Charlotte Bobcats
2011–2012Milwaukee Bucks
2012Washington Wizards
2012–2013Cleveland Cavaliers
2013–2014Brooklyn Nets
20142019Golden State Warriors
Career highlights and awards
As player:

As executive:

Career statistics
Points5,231 (6.3 ppg)
Rebounds1,989 (2.4 rpg)
Assists2,483 (3.0 apg)
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Early years edit

Livingston was born in Peoria, Illinois. He led Concordia Lutheran Grade School to LSA state titles in 1999 and 2000. Livingston played competitive basketball in high school at Richwoods 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.

In 2004, he was named Illinois Mr. Basketball and played in the McDonald's All-American Game. In 2007, Livingston was voted one of the 100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament for his superior performance in the tournament.[2] Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Livingston was listed as the No. 1 point guard and the No. 2 player in the nation in 2004.[3] He committed to play college hoops at Duke, but opted instead to make the jump to the NBA straight out of high school.

Professional career edit

Los Angeles Clippers (2004–2008) edit

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.[4] He was 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)[5] and was considered to be tall by point guard standards and due to the addition of Sam Cassell to the Clippers' roster, gained playing time as a shooting guard instead. Livingston recorded a career-high 14 assists on February 23, 2007, against the Golden State Warriors.[6]

In his first two NBA seasons, he played 91 games and averaged 6.3 points per game. In his third season, he averaged a career-high 9.3 points per game, being one of the few Clippers to improve from the 2005–06 season. In a game against the Charlotte Bobcats on February 26, 2007, Livingston suffered a debilitating knee injury, dislocating his left kneecap after landing awkwardly following a missed layup, resulting in the left leg snapping laterally. Livingston injured almost every part of his knee, tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and the lateral meniscus, badly spraining his medial collateral ligament (MCL), and dislocating his patella and his tibio-fibular joint.[7] Livingston was told by a medical professional at the hospital that there was a chance that his leg would have to be amputated. He required months of rehabilitation to be able to walk again.[8] Livingston was also riddled by injuries during the first three years of his professional career, and missed 101 of 246 regular season games.[9][10]

Miami Heat (2008–2009) edit

Livingston's contract with the Clippers expired after the 2007–08 season, and the Clippers did not make Livingston a $5.8 million qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.[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. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Portland Trail Blazers were interested, but it was reported he eventually signed a two-year deal with the Miami Heat on October 3, 2008. In 4 games with the Heat, he averaged 2.3 points and 10.3 minutes.[13][14]

Tulsa 66ers (2009) edit

On January 7, 2009, Livingston was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies along with cash considerations for a conditional 2012 second-round pick.[13][15] He was then waived later that same day.[13][16] On March 7, 2009, Livingston signed with the Tulsa 66ers, the NBA development league team owned by the Oklahoma City Thunder.[13][17]

Oklahoma City Thunder (2009) edit

After three weeks with the 66ers, Livingston signed a multi-year deal with the Thunder on March 31, 2009.[18] On December 22, 2009, Livingston was waived by the Thunder.[19][20]

Washington Wizards (2010) edit

 
Livingston with the Washington Wizards in 2012

On February 26, 2010, Livingston signed the first of his two 10-day contracts with the Washington Wizards.[21] He was then signed by the Wizards for the remainder of the season.[22]

Charlotte Bobcats (2010–2011) edit

On July 20, 2010, Livingston signed a two-year contract worth $7 million with the Charlotte Bobcats.[23]

Milwaukee Bucks (2011–2012) edit

On June 23, 2011, Livingston was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a three-way deal that included the Sacramento Kings and Charlotte Bobcats.[24]

Return to Washington (2012) edit

On June 26, 2012, Livingston was traded to the Houston Rockets for Samuel Dalembert along with teammates Jon Leuer and Jon Brockman.[25] Before the beginning of the season, however, they were all waived.[26] On November 15, 2012, Livingston signed with the Washington Wizards.[27] He was waived by the Wizards on December 23, 2012.[28]

Cleveland Cavaliers (2012–2013) edit

On December 25, 2012, the Cleveland Cavaliers claimed Livingston off waivers after releasing Donald Sloan.[29][30] Livingston made his debut for the Cavaliers on January 2, 2013, recording two points, two rebounds, and one assist in 13 minutes of action off the bench.

Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014) edit

On July 11, 2013, Livingston signed with the Brooklyn Nets.[31] His season-high of 23 points came in a 98-108 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on November 18, 2013.[32] Initially billed as a backup, Livingston performed well enough to join Deron Williams in the starting lineup following a season-ending injury to Brook Lopez. With Livingston on the floor, the Nets proved to be 8.5 points per 100 possessions better defensively, and he earned the third-most minutes on the team.[33] On March 17, Livingston set a career-high for both minutes played and points scored in a season.[34] At the end of the season Livingston had played in a career-high 76 games (beating a previous high of 61 games) and averaged 8.3 points, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.

Golden State Warriors (2014–2019) edit

On July 11, 2014, Livingston signed with the Golden State Warriors[35] for a reported three-year, $16 million contract.[36] On August 15, 2014, he was ruled out for six to eight weeks after having arthroscopic surgery on the big toe of his right foot.[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]

In 2015–16, Livingston helped the Warriors win an NBA record 73 games to eclipse the 72 wins set by the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls. During Game 4 of the 2016 Western Conference semi-finals, Livingston was ejected late in the second quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers. He had moved into the starting lineup to accommodate for the injured Stephen Curry. In the Western Conference Finals, the Warriors overcame a 3–1 deficit to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games and advance to the 2016 NBA Finals. In Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Livingston scored a playoff career-high 20 points, leading the Warriors to a 104–89 win.[39] Despite the Warriors going up 3–1 in the series following a Game 4 win, they went on to lose the series in seven games to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In 2016–17, Livingston helped the Warriors win the NBA Championship after defeating the Cavaliers 4–1 in the 2017 NBA Finals.

On July 25, 2017, Livingston re-signed with the Warriors[40] on a three-year, $24 million contract.[41] On December 4, he was suspended for one game without pay for an altercation with game official Courtney Kirkland during a game against the Miami Heat a day earlier.[42] Livingston helped the Warriors win back-to-back titles in 2018 after defeating the Cavaliers in a four-game sweep in the Finals

In 2019, he played in his fifth straight NBA Finals, where the Warriors lost to the Toronto Raptors in six games. Livingston's final NBA game was Game 5 of this final series (played on June 13, 2019 with the Warriors losing to the Raptors 110 - 114) where he recorded 6 points and 1 steal in 16 minutes of playing time. On July 10, 2019, Livingston was waived by the Warriors.[43] He went unsigned during free agency.

Retirement edit

On September 13, 2019, Livingston announced his retirement from the NBA. In a post, he stated: "After 15 years in the NBA, I’m excited, sad, fortunate and grateful all in one breath. Hard to put into a caption all of the emotions it takes to try and accomplish your dreams."[44]

Post-playing career edit

On September 15, 2020, the Golden State Warriors announced that they had named Livingston as director of players affairs and engagement.[45][46] He won his fourth NBA championship after the Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics in six games in the 2022 NBA Finals. He left the role on June 20, 2023, citing a desire to spend more time with his family outside of the Bay Area.[47]

Personal life edit

Livingston is a Lutheran. In April 2016, he donated $1 million to his former grade school, Concordia Lutheran School, in Peoria, Illinois.[48]

NBA career statistics edit

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 †  Won an NBA championship

Regular season edit

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2004–05 L.A. Clippers 30 15 27.1 .414 .000 .746 3.0 5.0 1.1 .4 7.4
2005–06 L.A. Clippers 61 14 25.0 .427 .125 .688 3.0 4.5 .8 .5 5.8
2006–07 L.A. Clippers 54 31 29.8 .463 .313 .707 3.4 5.1 1.1 .5 9.3
2008–09 Miami 4 0 10.3 .375 .000 .750 .5 1.0 .5 .0 2.3
2008–09 Oklahoma City 8 1 23.8 .538 .000 1.000 3.3 2.0 .6 .3 7.8
2009–10 Oklahoma City 10 0 13.0 .313 .000 .000 2.0 1.3 .5 .2 1.0
2009–10 Washington 26 18 25.6 .535 .000 .875 2.2 4.5 .5 .3 9.2
2010–11 Charlotte 73 0 17.3 .466 .250 .864 2.0 2.2 .6 .4 6.6
2011–12 Milwaukee 58 27 18.8 .469 .667 .785 2.1 2.1 .5 .3 5.5
2012–13 Washington 17 4 18.8 .364 .000 1.000 2.2 2.2 .6 .1 3.7
2012–13 Cleveland 49 12 23.2 .507 .000 .843 2.5 3.6 .8 .6 7.2
2013–14 Brooklyn 76 54 26.0 .483 .167 .827 3.2 3.2 1.2 .4 8.3
2014–15 Golden State 78 2 18.8 .500 .000 .714 2.2 3.3 .6 .3 5.9
2015–16 Golden State 78 3 19.5 .536 .167 .860 2.2 3.0 .7 .3 6.3
2016–17 Golden State 76 3 17.7 .547 .333 .700 2.0 1.8 .5 .3 5.1
2017–18 Golden State 71 7 15.9 .501 .000 .820 1.8 2.0 .5 .3 5.5
2018–19 Golden State 64 0 15.1 .519 .000 .784 1.8 1.8 .5 .4 4.0
Career 833 191 20.6 .486 .178 .794 2.4 3.0 .7 .4 6.3

Playoffs edit

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2006 L.A. Clippers 12 0 27.7 .474 1.000 .810 4.7 4.8 .6 .5 7.5
2014 Brooklyn 12 10 27.1 .512 1.000 .730 3.5 3.3 .4 .4 9.7
2015 Golden State 21 0 17.9 .532 .000 .840 2.4 1.8 .4 .2 5.0
2016 Golden State 24 7 21.4 .488 .000 .865 3.2 3.3 .5 .2 8.2
2017 Golden State 14 0 15.7 .576 .000 .714 2.1 1.4 .4 .1 5.2
2018 Golden State 21 0 17.2 .536 .000 .880 2.2 1.5 .3 .0 6.7
2019 Golden State 22 2 14.6 .453 .000 .840 1.4 1.4 .5 .2 4.0
Career 126 19 19.4 .507 .286 .819 2.6 2.4 .4 .2 6.4

References edit

  1. ^ Shaun Livingston official website: About Shaun Livingston Archived February 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Legends of Boys Basketball". IHSA. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  3. ^ Shaun Livingston Recruiting Profile
  4. ^ Poses, Jake (May 7, 2004). "Deng, Livingston forgo Duke for NBA Draft". Dukechronicle.com. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  5. ^ Perkins, Chris (September 25, 2008). "Heat's Pat Riley: No plans to purse any veteran free agents". Archived from the original on September 28, 2008.
  6. ^ "Brand Throws a Block Party in Clippers' Win". NBA.com. February 24, 2007. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  7. ^ "Livingston out for season with major knee injury". Associated Press. February 27, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2007.
  8. ^ Like Magic «
  9. ^ "Shaun Livingston Career Stats Page". NBA.com. Archived from the original on June 16, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2007.
  10. ^ "Shaun Livingston Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2007.
  11. ^ "Clippers renounce rights to Livingston, four other players". Associated Press. July 10, 2008.
  12. ^ "Shaun Livingston resumes basketball related activities". Los Angeles Times. June 16, 2008. Archived from the original on July 18, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
  13. ^ a b c d "Heat trade Livingston to Grizzlies". Sports.espn.go.com. January 7, 2009. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  14. ^ "HEAT Sign Shaun Livingston". NBA.com. October 4, 2008.
  15. ^ "Grizzlies trade conditional second round draft pick to Miami". NBA.com. January 7, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2009.
  16. ^ "Grizzlies waive Shaun Livingston". NBA.com. January 7, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2009.
  17. ^ Henry, Kevin (March 8, 2009). "Ex-Clipper Livingston joins 66ers". NewsOK.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016.
  18. ^ Shaun Livingston Signs Multi-Year Deal March 31, 2009
  19. ^ "Thunder Acquires Maynor From Utah Jazz". NBA.com. December 22, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  20. ^ "Thunder acquires Eric Maynor from Jazz, waives Livingston and Wilks". Daily Thunder.com. December 22, 2009. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  21. ^ "Wizards Sign Guard Shaun Livingston". NBA.com. February 26, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  22. ^ "Wizards Sign Livingston For Remainder of the Season". NBA.com. March 19, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  23. ^ "Bobcats Sign Point Guard Shaun Livingston". NBA.com. July 20, 2010. Archived from the original on July 23, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  24. ^ "Bucks acquire Jackson, Livingston, Udrih and draft rights to Tobias Harris in a three-team trade". NBA.com. June 23, 2011. Archived from the original on June 27, 2011. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
  25. ^ "Rockets Receive 12th Overall Pick Via Trade With Bucks". NBA.com. June 27, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  26. ^ "Rockets trim roster to 15, waive Livingston". The Dream Shake. October 29, 2012. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  27. ^ Wizards Sign Shaun Livingston
  28. ^ Wizards Waive Livingston And Barron
  29. ^ Cavaliers Claim Shaun Livingston Off Waivers, Waive Donald Sloan
  30. ^ Cavaliers claim Livingston
  31. ^ Brooklyn Nets sign guard Shaun Livingston
  32. ^ Trail Blazers surge past Nets for 7th straight win
  33. ^ LIVINGSTON EMBODIES NETS’ NEW IDENTITY
  34. ^ Shaun Livingston resurrects his career with Brooklyn Nets
  35. ^ Warriors Sign Free Agent Shaun Livingston to Contract
  36. ^ Warriors Reach Three-Year, $16M Deal With Shaun Livingston
  37. ^ Warriors' Livingston out 6-8 weeks with toe injury
  38. ^ Shaun Livingston 2014-15 Game Log
  39. ^ Warriors' supporting cast leads Game 1 NBA Finals win
  40. ^ "Warriors Re-Sign Curry, Durant, Iguodala, Livingston, Pachulia and West to Contracts". NBA.com. July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  41. ^ Haynes, Chris (July 1, 2017). "Shaun Livingston staying with Warriors on 3-year, $24 million deal". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  42. ^ "NBA official Courtney Kirkland and Warriors' Shaun Livingston suspended". NBA. December 4, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  43. ^ "Warriors Waive Guard Shaun Livingston". NBA.com. July 10, 2019.
  44. ^ "Shaun Livingston announces retirement from NBA". NBA.com. Archived from the original on 2020-11-29. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  45. ^ "Warriors Name Shaun Livingston Director of Player Affairs and Engagement 14-Year NBA Veteran Won Three Championships with Golden State". NBA.com. September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  46. ^ "Thompson: Shaun Livingston's purposeful decision to sign on as a Warriors exec". theathletic.com. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
  47. ^ Delucchi, Marc (2023-06-20). "Shaun Livingston decides to leave Warriors front office after three years". Golden State Of Mind. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  48. ^ Adams, Pam (April 26, 2016). "NBA Player Shaun Livingston jump-starts Concordia Lutheran School renovations with $1 million donation". PJStar.com. Archived from the original on 2016-06-30. Retrieved 2024-02-06. Also Adams, Pam (April 27, 2016). "Livingston kick-starts Concordia renovations - NBA player and alumnus boosts project with $1 million donation". Peoria Journal Star (text ed.). Peoria, Illinois. p. 3A – via NewsBank.

External links edit