From Clipperblog, February 27, 2007:
Whatever approximation a Clipper fan might have of Corey Maggette’s Basketball I.Q., or Mike Dunleavy’s competence, or the precise effect of Quinton Ross’ presence on the court, there’s virtual unanimity among the Naçion about one thing: The team’s fortunes in the foreseeable future will rise and fall with Shaun Livingston’s development. It’s the one irrefutable truism, no matter where you stand on the other big questions.
So when Shaun’s patella pops out and he crumples to the floor in the opening minutes of the game, there’s more at stake than the “Jeez, I hope he’s okay” that usually punctuates a moment like this. Apart from anything he may or may not embody to a fan or spectator, Shaun is a 21-year-old kid who must be terrified beyond delirium when he feels his leg snap like a toothpick. He deserves the compassion of every basketball well-wisher.
Whether it’s fair or not, Shaun also embodies something larger. Shaun has been carrying around the hopes of the Naçion since he was drafted in 2004. On Saturday, he put together what might be the most professional game of his career – a 14 point, 14 assist effort against Golden State. Following the game, Mike Dunleavy said, “Until I tell him to pull back, I want him to push the ball every time and I want him to explore. I want him to use his abilities. That’s what could take us to another level.” And that’s exactly what Shaun is doing in the first quarter when he picks up a steal at the other end and initiates the break with Raymond Felton in pursuit. Four seconds later, Shaun is on the hardwood.
It’s been a while since I thought about Shaun Livingston in any meaningful context w/r/t the Clippers. His injury was painful to witness. As a result, most of us made him a human interest story. It seemed too crass to consider Shaun’s recovery in terms of its effect on the franchise’s fortunes, so we focused — rightly so — on the part of the story that was about a shy kid with natural talent trying to make it all the way back from a catastrophic injury.
With the benefit of hindsight, we can now mark February 26, 2007 as the date the state of the franchise turned. True, things were already sour that season. The Clippers were 26-29; Chris Kaman had regressed; the playoffs were increasingly unlikely. But the significance of the moment isn’t chronological as much as it is psychogenic. Shaun did embody something larger, even though it’s possible he never would’ve put the package together. His departure from the Clippers’ active roster left a spiritual vacuum that’s been filled with waste.
Tonight, Shaun starts at point guard for the Thunder wearing number 14. He goes [2-5 FG, 2-2 FT, 6 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 0 turnovers]. He wears a brace on his left knee.
Some impressions:
- [1st, 11:40] One area where Shaun was fluent from day one was execution on the break. He hasn’t lost that. Nenad Krstic strips the ball away from Baron Davis and gets the outlet to Livingston at the time line. Russell Westbrook fills the lane to Shaun’s left. Shaun shuttles a pass to Westbrook, who streaks in for an easy lay-in.
- [1st, 10:11] Early offense as Livingston rushes it up court. The Clippers do a decent job of getting back. Baron plays in front of Livingston, who crosses from his right to his left, then backs Baron in at the elbow. Baron gives up a step, but not more. Shaun stops, pivots on his right, then takes an awkward rising jumper off his back leg. The shot is long.
Shaun never perfected his shooting mechanics in Los Angeles, which was one part of his development that was lagging at the time of the injury. His frame isn’t squared when he releases the ball. There’s too much arm and not enough leg in his shot. He still needs a little work. - [1st, 5:02] Shaun spots up to the right of Durant on a controlled break. He’s wide open from 15, but the shot clanks high off the front of the rim. See above.
- [2nd, 7:58] Shaun has checked in for Kevin Durant at the 3 spot for the Thunder, with Earl Watson running point. On the defensive end, Shaun is assigned to Baron Davis, then later, Fred Jones. Kaman and Baron run a high S/R at the top of the circle. Livingston and DJ White — Eric Gordon’s classmate — trap. Baron swings the ball across his body to hit Kaman with a pass, but Livingston leaps backward and gets his fingertips in the passing lane. Jeff Green collects the ball and the Thunder get out on the break.
- [2nd, 5:42] Off DJ White’s block of Chris Kaman’s layup attempt, the Thunder go the other way. Watson pushes it up. Livingston runs the left sideline. As he glides over the arc, he signals to Watson. Livingston runs a basket cut simultaneous to Watson’s perfect lob pass. Livingston leaps, clears the rim by a good foot, and slams the ball down through the iron.
By any player in any circumstance, it’s a highlight dunk. For Shaun, I imagine it’s also an anthem. - [3rd, 9:11] Shaun parks himself in the right corner. The ball works its way counterclockwise around the arc. When the pass arrives, Shaun has plenty of time to catch, turn, set, square his shoulders and release. The combination of Mike Taylor’s height [he gives up at least seven inches to Shaun], and the distance Taylor has to cover on the close-out gives Shaun plenty of time to nail the 20-footer.
Shaun plays solid defense on Baron, but the Clippers never ask to be challenged, so it’s hard to gauge how Shaun is using his length and what was once great lateral quickness, on the defensive end of the floor. Physically, he looks filled out. Based on what we know about his regimen during his recovery, it’s no surprise.
Shaun is the only person who truly understands his physical limitations, and it’s likely he doesn’t completely trust his impressions of what he can and can’t do. Whether he can become an impact NBA player is uncertain. The irony is that Shaun appeared more confident on the floor tonight than he did during most of his tenure as a teenager in Los Angeles.
44 Responses
Shaun shouldered more than anybody I can remember, he was the sign of Hope. He was the guy who had the superstar skill and smile. When he went down, I felt like “not again”.
Posted on April 16th, 2009 at 7:43 am
Shaun has a great future ahead of him. But not as a Basketball player. He might play some games. He’s intelligent & natural. That’s a great package. I see him as a TELEVISION SPORTSCASTER. And he can do a lot in other areas as well. He’s creative & ambitious. He’ll find the way.
There’s a place for him in every Clipper fans heart. We wish him good & vibrant health.
THANK YOU SHAUN. HOPE YOU APPRECIATE OUR APPRECIATION.
Posted on April 16th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Kind of Ironic that yesterday was Fan Appreciation night and the only thing we appreciated was the return of Shaun Livingston. Not our own team.
Posted on April 16th, 2009 at 10:40 am
That was pretty bad all we can hope is that the player did this to try to get rid of Dunleavy. I think the Thunder will try to futher explore Livi as the starter and see what they get.
Posted on April 16th, 2009 at 10:53 am
I’m kind of dissapointed in kevin’s post. I mean ya SL’s return is a nice side story but the main theme of the night as it pertains to the clippers is how the team quit on the coach last night. They lost by 40 to OKC–the 4th worst team in the league– At HOME. Just unforgivable.
Posted on April 16th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Anyone know what 1 sentence Dunleavy said to get kicked out of the game so he wouldn’t have to listen to the abuse? Or did he just ask the ref to kick him out.
eastie Rich Reply:
April 16th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
I think he said “Please, please, please kick me out I can’t take it anymore.”
ACD Reply:
April 16th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
So basically, it’s not only that the team quit on him, he quit on the team as well. This can’t end well.
Ya you cant dump a guy with 8 million bucks left on his deal… just make him a GM and let someone young revive this moribund franchise.
bongstradamus Reply:
April 16th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Seriously this team would be better off firing everyone then hiring “Bob the Fan” to run the team. With the talent we have on this team I wouldnt be surprised if Kevin could coach this team to 35 wins using Twitter and his NBA League Pass to call plays.
Posted on April 16th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Actually Firedunleavy.com, someone on clipsnation (I know you left for good) has a fanpost describing what dunleavy was saying, he was courtside. Its an interesting read.
eastie Rich Reply:
April 16th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Andrew, how was the game?
Posted on April 16th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy made it clear on Wednesday night that he wants his star players reporting to camp in shape prior to next season.
“Our guys have to come back into shape, not come to camp and think you’ll get in shape,” said Dunleavy, who added that players will be fined if they aren’t.
From Realgm
————-
Baron Davis, who failed to report to camp in shape last fall, is certainly saying all the right things about his relationship with Dunleavy.
“I think our relationship over this whole season has really grown,” Davis said. “When you see us out there now, it’s more so that we trust each other. I know what he wants out there. If not, he’ll dictate that to me. It’s a growing trust.
“I love coach’s attitude. His cockiness, I think that’s really going to rub off on the team for next year, and it’s something I’m going to feed off of as well.”
eastie Rich Reply:
April 16th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Does anyone care what Baron has to say?
Sam Mays Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Baron can talk all he wants. If he had motivated and pushed and clawed and helped the team win 6 of its last 12 games, I’d think maybe there was some hope, that he had some character, but he didn’t. He quit. He went out soft. I don’t buy anything Baron has to say…
We’re going to be stuck with him and fat Zach again next year. And Dunleavy too. The team might be even more unwatchable.
FireDunleavy .com Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 10:00 am
I’m sure his agent gave him a note card with that on it.
bongstradamus Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 10:09 am
The Dumbleavy Translated : Don’t blame me, Baron’s a fatty!
Posted on April 16th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I LOVED Livinston as a Clipper. After the way he chose to depart last offseason, turning down a guaranteed offer from the Clips probably as to spite the Clippers for terminating the $7 million they were going to owe him this year. I hope he stays in the league and makes money so he can live a healthy lifestyle, but I am in now way rooting for him and would probably boo him given the chance.
Posted on April 16th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Eastie Rich – the game itself was terrible but I always enjoy going to staples. Knowing that there are in fact other clipper fans. Thanks for the tickets, the seats were really nice. There was A LOT of booing from the crowd. There was this one guy behind me who is apparently a kevin durant fan kept yelling funny stuff. Every game I’ve gone to this season has been blowouts… unlucky. Thanks again, my brother and I had a good time.
eastie Rich Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Just curious what you thought. The fire dunleavy chants were really loud this time, they’re one section over from me. Well, theres always next year.
Posted on April 16th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
I kind of hate all the booing. I mean, I wish the team were better too, but I could still enjoy a night of watching basketball at Staples even while my beloved Clips get blown out (although -41 to OKC is hard to stomach). Still, the other fans (the booing ones) are what ruin the experience for me. Why would I want to watch a game with a few thousand pissed off people? No fun at all. It’s not really the environment I want to bring my kids to either.
I know there are a lot of defenders/proponents of booing here, but at its core, booing is just rude and immature. Some people will blame the team’s awfulness for all the booing, but I reject that. If an individual finds themselves screaming “You Suck” at the top of their lungs to a virtual stranger, than that individual is being an ass and they have no one to blame but themselves.
Like most Clipper fans, I plan on attending fewer games next year. I even skipped a few at the end of this season that I would have normally attended. But it’s not the crappy team that’s keeping me away — its the other Clipper fans.
FireDunleavy .com Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Are you being serious? You sound like Ned Flanders on the Simpsons.
By being a professional basketball player or coach, you’ve accepted a job that is a basically a public position with a lot of press coverage.
By buying a ticket you expect a certain entertainment value. Well I could go into it more, but it’s no use.
And so what if it’s not fun for you if you bring your kids. That makes the booing it all the more worth it because it’s hurting Sterling’s pocketbook.
Cappy Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
So a hissy-fit’s the answer? I get that you want I better product for your money. I do too. I ‘d like to see the organization fire Dunleavy, establish an identity and start rebuilding from scratch. But I can say those things without acting like an toddler who’s Mommy didn’t buy him a candy bar.
I don’t scream and yell and throw a tantrum when my computer crashes or my car has trouble. Do you? So why act like a spoiled brat if the basketball team you root for sucks? I’m just not that kind of person and I guess people who are bug me. So I if I’m Flanders, then you’re like a toddler and Sterling’s like your Mommy. Keep crying loudly and maybe he’ll take you out to Chuck E Cheese. That’s not a bad place for obnoxious babies.
I get it though. There’s always going to be booing at sports events when a team’s bad. Sometimes even when they’re good, and just having an off night. I’m just chiming in because I’m amazed at the pride most of the people posting here have in acting so juvenile. I don’t really expect you to understand. How could you?
FireDunleavy .com Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Well, I like to boo and I think it sends a message. I also like to talk trash to the other team, to try to get them off their game.
You act like you’re all high and mighty because you’re not acting like a ‘juvenile’. Who says boo-ing is juvenile behavior? I guess you get to make up all the rules to life. Thank god we have the freedom of speech in this country
Cappy Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Booing and trash talking. Yup. Sounds like you got it all figured out. I hope you not one of the STH that isn’t renewing. We really need you out there doing your thing. We’d have never won the Celtics game this year if you hadn’t thrown Paul Pierce off his game by yelling “Celtics Suck!” Great job! If this team ever turns it around and finds an identity for itself we’ll also have your booing to thank. You’re awesome!
Incidentally, I never said people shouldn’t be allowed to boo, so I’m not sure where your free speech comment is coming from. To the contrary, I said the I get that it’s part of attending live games (in any sport). Its something that fans who find that kind of behavior off-putting just have to deal with. I just wanted to put it out there with all the “aren’t we awesome for booing” comments that show up on this blog that not everyone thinks booing is awesome. Sorry that’s tough for you to hear.
FireDunleavy .com Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Yeah, you never said people shouldn’t be allowed to boo, but you’re passing judgement on people that boo saying it’s rude and immature.
Cappy Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Is the pot call the kettle black? I know someone else here who likes to pass judgment. Maybe I don’t stand on a chair and scream it, but you get my point
Posted on April 17th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
http://www.clipsnation.com/2009/4/7/825877/outraged-season-ticket-holder
eastie Rich Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I think the fellow that you linked to had an interview with a Clipper employee today on ESPN. I missed it just as it was starting. Sometimes you just have to work – and boy was that the wrong time.
Did anyone hear it? Can anyone tell me what happened?
Cappy Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
they have podcasts here:
http://stations.espn.go.com/stations/710espn/archive?id=2682382
Todays show isn’t up yet, but I’m sure they’ll post it eventually.
Cappy Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
My bad. It IS already uploaded here:
http://stations.espn.go.com/stations/710espn/sectional?id=masirepodcasts
eastie Rich Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
THANK YOU.
I haven’t listend yet, but I just got in and I will.
eastie Rich Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
I just listened to it and there were some things the rep said that just plain wasn’t true. How insulting.
Cappy Reply:
April 18th, 2009 at 12:44 am
I just listened to it myself. I thought most of the best points were made by Steve & John. The Clipper VP was kind of disingenuous and Rick was a little inconstant with his complaints.
I thought the guy from Spain hit the nail on the head when he said that Rick just needed a little break in a bad economy that’s effected him personally. His letter said he’s out of a job and he’s probably having a hard time justifying the price of his awesome, awesome seats. After 25 years, I can’t say I blame him for being frustrated. More than anything, he seemed to be looking for the Clippers to give him a good reason to re-up, and they didn’t give him one. He deserved better.
eastie Rich Reply:
April 18th, 2009 at 7:37 am
Cappy that’s right. I’ve had problems with the Clippers in the past so I guess I don’t give them much if any slack. Who was that Roesser? Anyhow he said a few things that just weren’t true. Like the special offers were a one time thing for one game only. I received multiple offers and some of those offers were for multiple games. He also said other things. While he couldn’t be up front or is misinformed of his own franchise, either is not good. I found it to be another huge turn off for this team.
Posted on April 17th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Is it just me or are others in Clipper Nation checking hourly with hopes of seeing headlines such as, “Dunleavy Fired!”. Let’s come together and not renew our season tickets until he is fired!
Cappy Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
If only it were that simple! The letter that VH1 linked too (which is really great) includes this sad summation:
“My 25 years as a season ticket holder have seen; a mere 2 winning seasons, 14 head coaches, 22 years (soon to be 23) as a perennial and consistent lottery participant, almost 400 roster changes, only 3 playoff appearances and approximately $375,000 (boy is that number painful to see) invested in a franchise that has proven to be the poster child for sports ineptness.”
Firing Dunleavy is something that a competent organization would do at this point, but it won’t mean that the Clippers have all the sudden become competent. It MIGHT be a step in the right direction, but if I were you I’d wait to hear who they hire before I invested in the team again. Isiah’s off the market (thank God), but the fact that they talked to him at all gives me very little hope for the future. Even in a new, post-Dunleavy era.
eastie Rich Reply:
April 18th, 2009 at 9:39 am
I don’t see any change in direction any time soon. I’ve invested somewhere between 60k and 80k over the past dozen or so seasons, so that’s a big number for me (not nearly as close as RickK – that would give me a heart attack).
They haven’t even contacted me or answered my e-mails – what else is new. So not renewing is a no brainer. I can keep the 8k I would have spent on tickets.
eastie Rich Reply:
April 18th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Or, if I can identify the 10 teams I’d like to see I can get better seats than I already have (I’m in section 114) for $20. a seat. Got to love there price points.
Cappy Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
http://www.dailynews.com/ci_12161804?source=rss
Posted on April 17th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
…..and we lost the tie breaker with Washington
bongstradamus Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
hey at least we competed for something once this season!
Posted on April 17th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
We even lose in the offseason. I bet we get the 6th pick.
Posted on April 17th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Whether necessary or not, Washington has delivered. ,
Posted on October 22nd, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Trackbacks