Don't Sleep on Shaun Livingston

[ND22]

http://blogs.thescore.com/tbj/2010/08/11/the-slept-on-files-shaun-livingston/


With talented young point guards popping up over the league, all eyes will be on this youth movement next season. There is one guy that shouldn’t be forgotten, however, even though he’s had a few years he would love nothing more than to forget. That point guard you might be forgetting is under contract with the Bobcats. Doesn’t sound like a big deal, not the biggest market or flashiest team, but the thing is, this contract, it’s a huge deal. It’s a dream in and of itself, a dream that our slept-on player thought was snatched away from him when the injury grim reaper appeared on the scene in February 2007.


Through 26 games with the Wizards he averaged 9.2 points and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 54 percent from the floor and 88 percent from the line. He was efficient and he was a consummate professional. He made valuable use of his time with the Wizards, eagerly learning from assistant coach Sam Cassell, adding a mid-range game and built up his confidence. There was the dunk that showed he could still get up and then a 25-point, six-rebound, seven-assist night that proved he could still stuff a stats sheet when given the minutes.

I enjoyed the write up and I'm glad he's getting some attention. I for one will really be rooting for him this season and hope his best days are in front of him.

[LiquidWayno]

This pleases me.

[TheBeagle]

http://blogs.thescore.com/tbj/2010/08/11/the-slept-on-files-shaun-livingston/





I enjoyed the write up and I'm glad he's getting some attention. I for one will really be rooting for him this season and hope his best days are in front of him. While I'm damn near comatose on him, I too wil be rooting for him and hope his best days are in front of him as a Bobcat! Good find!

[dav7z]

WOW the kid has game. I havn't see many players with that size . And those handles.
I wish i had seen that befor now . He represents fight and determaination, He instantly just became a fan favorite to me. If his leg holds out this kid has tons of game.

[dvdbumpus]

I've always like the way he plays. I hope the best for him! I think he can play a full season if he keeps it around 30 minutes a game.

[Mustachio]

I think anyone who even suggest trading for TJ Ford should have to read this article 5 times.

Why trade anything away for a middle of the road zero upside point guard who is arguably a step back from Felton.

Livingston is one of the few things im excited to see this season. I love the comeback story, and the guy seems like he deserves the chance. Im super negative on the way things have gone this offseason across the whole NBA... but heres to Livingston realizing his massive potential this year and the Bobcats being a pleasant suprise. A Bobcats news story I havent punched my screen after reading for once.

P.S. Holly Mackenzie is stupid hot. If you're on twitter follow @stacksmack.

[BRNC]

I'd rather go through the season holding my breath hoping Livingston makes it than ever see TJ Ford in a 'Cats uniform...

[rsxnova]

I think our current trio of point guards will suprise some people.

[Toocool]

Aussies love a good comeback story. Let's go Livingston, show us what you've got!

By the way, love the way he's willing to post up smaller guards and use his height. Backed down D.Will who is one of the bigger tougher guards in this league, even though he looks like a stick. I look forward to his improvement as a guard under LB.

By the way, how good was it of Rod to get us him for 2 years 7 mill contract? Massive bargain with massive upside.

[spectre]

I'd rather go through the season holding my breath hoping Livingston makes it than ever see TJ Ford in a 'Cats uniform...

...or Caleron. I absolutely agree.

It's 3 years with the last being a team option isn't it?

[BETCATS]

Wouldnt it be ironic if the team Shaun's career almost ended against is becomes the team he develops into an all-star on? Some things are just meant to happen.

But that is just wishful thinking.





P.S. Holly Mackenzie is stupid hot. If you're on twitter follow @stacksmack.
:D She follows me on twitter. I've e-known her since she started working at Slamonline. She is defiantly not hard on the eyes either.

[ND22]

P.S. Holly Mackenzie is stupid hot. If you're on twitter follow @stacksmack.

Yeah she is haha. I've been following her for a little while now, not only is she hot but she is pretty knowledgable about the game too.

But going back to Livingston, its amazing how he's handled the injuries. It's a pretty safe bet that if he hadn't handled the situation like he had he probably wouldn't be in the league right now. While I'm rooting for DJ to get back to the way he was playing his rookie year, I'd love to see Liv do some great things as well.

[teej]

It's 3 years with the last being a team option isn't it?

It's set up like Damp's contract.

2/7 is guaranteed, the final year at 3.5 is not, but Shaun has no way of getting out of it.

[spectre]

The Road to Redemption - Hoopsworld (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=17225)



Staying in the southeast, the Charlotte Bobcats have two players that can revitalize their careers this season in point guard Shaun Livingston and center DeSagana Diop.

Diop, 28, is a nine year veteran that hasn't lived up to his lottery pick hype (No. 8 overall 2001 Draft). At this point it'd be safe to assume that Diop will never reach those once lofty expectations, but what he will have this season is more opportunities to produce on a potential playoff team.

At a post-season press conference Bobcats head coach Larry Brown quipped, "He has a lot of work to do because, quite honestly, you can't trade his contract," when discussing Diop. With over $20 million invested in Diop over the next three seasons, expect Brown to attempt to work him into the lineup.

Throw in the fact that the team will likely trade (or waive) Erick Dampier's $13 million non-guaranteed deal and Diop will be in a three-man center platoon with Nazr Mohammed and Kwame Brown. His playing time could potentially rise significantly over the 9.7 minutes he received last season.

Livingston's rebirth is a lot more attainable. The five-year player, recently signed by Charlotte, has a strong chance of opening up the season as the Bobcats starting point guard. This turn of events is remarkable for a player that nearly had his career ended after a gruesome knee injury in 2007.

His numbers last season weren't mind boggling overall posting averages of 6.9 points and 3.6 assists in stints with Oklahoma City and Washington over 36 contests. However, his end of year performance, where he averaged 15.5 points and 6.3 assists as a starter for Washington during the final month of the season that has Charlotte optimistic.

Entering training camp, Livingston will have every opportunity to unseat D.J. Augustin in the starting lineup, but even if that doesn't happen there are major minutes in store for the former lottery pick looking to finally rebound from injuries.


Diop? Most of us know and have optimism for Livingston, but can Gana actually make the most out of the PT that's (presumably) going to be available for lack of better options? He's a pretty darn good defensive player other than the foul troubles...maybe he just needs some confidence shown in him?

If LB can actually make him a positive asset that'd have to be one of the biggest accomplishments of his career.

In regards to Livingston it all boils down to the knee. We know he has the talent...just have to hope his health holds up.

[Chef]

The Road to Redemption - Hoopsworld (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=17225)




Diop? Most of us know and have optimism for Livingston, but can Gana actually make the most out of the PT that's (presumably) going to be available for lack of better options? He's a pretty darn good defensive player other than the foul troubles...maybe he just needs some confidence shown in him?

If LB can actually make him a positive asset that'd have to be one of the biggest accomplishments of his career.

In regards to Livingston it all boils down to the knee. We know he has the talent...just have to hope his health holds up.


in order for him to become a positive asset he will have to average something like 6pt/10reb/1block and become a defensive stopper off the bench. he has to make 3 y/20mil look like it is worth taking him on.

[DY_nasty]

in order for him to become a positive asset he will have to average something like 6pt/10reb/1block and become a defensive stopper off the bench. he has to make 3 y/20mil look like it is worth taking him on.
10 rebounds off the bench? geez...

If he can play 15-20 minutes a night without looking atrocious I'll be happy.

[dnbman]

in order for him to become a positive asset he will have to average something like 6pt/10reb/1block and become a defensive stopper off the bench. he has to make 3 y/20mil look like it is worth taking him on.

Also, it's really 2 y/13M that they'd have to convince someone of, since the third year becomes an expiring contract, potentially an asset to a team.

[Toocool]

Perhaps Diop could turn into a poor-man's Birdman. Probably best case scenario, and if he develops like a 5 foot jumper so he can actually score.

[jdsingar]

That video with highlights of Livingston is very nice. It's nothing overly flashy, but it looks like he is bringing a very different game than Raymond or D.J. would. Both of those guys would get to the basket and get shut down, but Livingston can take guys on.

[dvdbumpus]

Perhaps Diop could turn into a poor-man's Birdman. Probably best case scenario, and if he develops like a 5 foot jumper so he can actually score.

That's ideal but near impossible. Diop has one of the worst shooting touches and has been in the league for what, 9 years or so? If he only had Ajinca's touch with Diop's size and strength.

[Toocool]

That's ideal but near impossible. Diop has one of the worst shooting touches and has been in the league for what, 9 years or so? If he only had Ajinca's touch with Diop's size and strength.

I know it's near impossible. The guy has simply never put in the work on his offensive game, much like TC. Ajinca was crap, but put in a lot of work and thus because a somewhat okay post presence. I kind of wish we had him still since we poured so much effort into him.

[BobCatsFanInTx]

I think anyone who even suggest trading for TJ Ford should have to read this article 5 times.

Why trade anything away for a middle of the road zero upside point guard who is arguably a step back from Felton.

Livingston is one of the few things I'm excited to see this season. I love the comeback story, and the guy seems like he deserves the chance. Im super negative on the way things have gone this off season across the whole NBA... but here's to Livingston realizing his massive potential this year and the Bobcats being a pleasant surprise. A Bobcats news story I haven't punched my screen after reading for once.

P.S. Holly Mackenzie is stupid hot. If you're on twitter follow @stacksmack.I myself have never suggested that we trade for TJ Ford. I have only stated that TJ Ford has been brought up in trade talks so it would not surprise me if Higgins, MJ and Larry Brown made some lopsided trade in the Pacers favor while picking up TJ.

I am looking forward to what Shaun might bring our Bobcats. I like a comeback story as much or more than anyone. With that said I hate the fact that we have so many questions at the 1. I would love to have someone added with no serious past injuries and with whom we would have a solid track record we could count on.

As far as TJ Ford, he did have a solid rookie season and though he has not been the same since one can not say that a different team than the Pacers would not fit him better. If DJ himself struggles this season I would say that perhaps DJ is a talent better suited for another team.

I have seen guys spend several years mired in mediocrity on more than one team only to finally find a system, coach and teammates that fit them and they improved drastically. Is that TJ? I don't know and none of us do. That is why I would rather not have TJ for our team. It would be more questions and uncertainty so for that reason I would not want TJ as a Bobcat. That said, I feel TJ has talent. He had it in College and a year in the pros and there is no reason to assume he can't succeed at this point. If he finds a stable organization with good chemistry he could become as good or better than was Raymond.

The Pacers have had enough talent to be playoff contenders but they haven't had the pieces or coaches that have fit them chemistry wise in several years.