Fansided

What Is Dead May Never Die: NBA players who left too soon

By HP Basketball Network

Apr 28, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Tracy McGrady (1) on the court against the Los Angeles Lakers in game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Tracy McGrady (1) on the court against the Los Angeles Lakers in game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 6, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Shaun Livingston (14) drives to the basket as Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) during the second half in game one of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Shaun Livingston (14) drives to the basket as Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) during the second half in game one of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Shaun Livingston

by Andy Liu (@AndyKHLiu)

I will not link to the injury. I will not link to the injury. I will not link to the injury. After Paul George’s incident in the Team USA scrimmage, it’s safe to say we could do without images of limbs going in wrong ways for a while. Or ever. Out of high school, Shaun Livingston was compared to Jason Kidd and Magic Johnson. Player comparisons are always a bit on the hyperbolic side but the chasm between the two players he was mostly likened to is fascinating.

Jason Kidd was the defensive wizard, strong enough to handle guards of all shapes and sizes while possessing totally dominating a game through court vision and playmaking. Then there was the Magic Johnson dream, the height, charisma, flashiness and drool-worthy athleticism that allowed him to function as a point guard while floating everywhere else as a forward. Livingston will start next season as the first guard off the Golden State Warriors bench, likely guarding both guard and forward spots. Livingston made it back, played himself into a great deal, but Livingston pre-injury was majestic.

Livingston probably would never have filled out as much but he was the bridge in talent between Magic Johnson and LeBron James. Blessed with size, athleticism, and court vision and ball-handling – what players lack when they possess only the former two – Livingston was extraordinary in terms of potential.

There’s two groups of players that make up this list: the first group are the All-Stars and elite players that peaked for several years before succumbing slowly to injuries. The second portion is made up of players that showed glimpses of taking over the league only to have all that gone in a flash. Livingston fits into the latter, never averaging more than double digits in points scored per game or even cracking 30 minutes played per game in a season. The bounce was there. The open-court freight train images were there. The length combined with traits no 6-foot-7 man should have was frightening.

Livingston has developed an old-man game to work himself back into the NBA. He was the most efficient post-up perimeter player in the NBA last season. He can still defend. He can pass. We’d be fine with Role Player Shaun Livingston in an alternate universe where Freaky Magic-Kidd-LeBron-esque Shaun Livingston never existed. Alas.

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