Warriors Q&A: Why Shaun Livingston is considering retirement
Bay Area News Group caught up with Warriors vet Shaun Livingston about this season and his NBA future
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LOS ANGELES – Often, Warriors coach Steve Kerr will look at Shaun Livingston and just laugh.
He has inspired his younger teammates for overcoming a broken left leg and knee cap in 2007, an injury that could’ve derailed his NBA career. In the past four seasons, Livingston also has carved out a niche as one of the Warriors’ veteran stalwarts with the reserves. In his 15th NBA season, though, Livingston reported often feeling pain when he has played and when he has missed a combined 12 games with different ailments to his left knee, right foot and neck as well as two others for rest purposes.
“I just look at him and we smile,” Kerr said. “That’s how it works. You get older and stuff starts to hurt more. It just happens. I look at Shaun and I just chuckle and I say you think it hurts now? Wait about 20 years.”
For now, though, the 33-year-old Livingston will be nearing a crossroads. The Warriors will soon lean on him even more in the postseason as they have done in three NBA championship runs out of four NBA Finals appearances. After that, though? The Warriors could waive Livingston since only $2 million of his $7.7 million of his contract next season is guaranteed. Meanwhile, Livingston admitted the possibility he will retire following this season.
So, Livingston sat down recently with Bay Area News Group about this season and what might be ahead. Below is his Q&A.
How has this season treated you so far?
Livingston: “It’s been up and down with a different team and different lineups. But overall for me personally, I’m just trying to enjoy it. Just enjoy this year regardless of how I play or the circumstances. I haven’t been as healthy as I’d like or as spry as I’d like. But it’s all relative to the sport. So I’m just enjoying the process, really. It’s been ups and downs obviously and frustrating times. I know that’s the beauty and the struggle.”
How are you feeling physically these days?
Livingston: “I’m feeling better. I’m feeling a lot better. But it’s the ups and downs of going through a long season and another year. It takes a toll. I’ve been fortunate.”
What’s it like, though, when you have a few games here or there where you still throw down a few dunks?
Livingston: “I’m just trying to find the fountain of youth (laughs). I’m trying to find some drops and sprinkle it in there. I’ll find the well.”
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Compared to past years, what has made this season unique for you?
Livingston: “It’s just been different. A lot heavier because of the media on free agency and everything of that nature. So there’s stuff we’ve had to deal with internally and stuff that has penetrated through the locker room more than other years. But it’s just part of what comes with the NBA. I’d rather it this way than nobody talking to you at all. I’ve been in that situation too.”
What have you done during those moments, such as the Durant-Draymond incident?
Livingston: “Really just handle it through communication and honesty. Honesty, transparency and trying to be open with each other. We’re trying to create forums where we speak to each other among all of us or in private where we can air things out and be honest. So we all know where we’re coming from.”
What have you seen that do?
Livingston: “It builds trust.”
Given that the bench is younger this year, how has your role evolved?
Livingston: “I’ve tried to be more vocal with the young guys. I’m not necessarily a ‘rah rah’ guy. I’m not the guy speaking out with everybody watching. I’m more of the guy that is behind the scenes and working the lines of communication through more of a personal approach in this position and encouraging the young guys and making sure they are staying professional, getting their work in and staying confident.”
Do they ask you much about your journey?
Livingston: “Sometimes. Not really. I’m more ancient now. I’m a dinosaur guy. I got some gems. But I don’t ever want to be that guy. I’m not doing it for the cameras or the shine. I just want it to always be genuine.”
How long do you think you’ll keep playing?
Livingston: “I don’t know. We’ll see. We’ll see what happens. I think come summer time, I’ll make the decision and see what happens based on the team and my personal journey and just go from there.”
What other variables are in play?
Livingston: “The variables in play now are we’re trying to finish the season out on a high note. Hopefully it ends with pouring champagne on each other. It’s a process. I don’t want to skip it. I don’t want to jinx or do too much.”
What interests you about a front office role after your NBA playing career?
Livingston: “Just being around and seeing different organizations and how they’re run. I’ve been a part of 10 different organizations. So seeing guys getting cut to being in to the inner workings and line of communication all the way from the top down to the bottom. That’s something I think I can possibly excel in.”
What have you seen in what makes the Warriors unique as well as how other teams in the league work?
Livingston: “No. 1 is talent. That helps. Let’s just be honest. But they drafted well. Give them credit to where it’s due. They did the work and drafted and got lucky a little bit. But it all worked out.
Two, it’s the people. Culture is another word for people. They have good people and genuine people. Bob [Myers], Steve and Rick [Welts] are the infrastructure of this organization. They instill, empower and communicate effectively. They strategize. The do all of those different things and execute. It’s good people at the end of the day. The organizations that I’ve worked with, whether I have gotten cut or whether I have excelled, the always communicated with me honestly and openly. The ones that weren’t so good, the communication was iffy. That’s what makes this organization strong.”
Why is it important for front offices to have former players?
Livingston: “I think it’s important because we have a view of what’s going on. Players have been there. They have been in those locker rooms, those huddles and on the court. When you’re in the front office and scouting, you are seeing what’s going with body language and things that aren’t always available to the fan’s eye. More than anything, you have the feel. You have the feel of what’s going on throughout the game because you’ve been in those situations.”
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