Livingston enjoying new lease on life

Shaun Livingston's left leg could have been amputated nine years ago. The knee injury he sustained while with the Clippers in 2007 was that severe.

Going for a layup, his leg buckled backward, parallel to the court, when he fell in a freak accident.

Now, healthy and reliable, Livingston is making a new name for himself on the NBA's postseason stage. He has filled in admirably for Stephen Curry as Golden State moves on to the second round of the playoffs without the injured reigning league MVP.

Livingston scored 16 points in each of his three starts during Golden State's 4-1 first-round series win over the Houston Rockets.

"I think when you go through traumatic events like that, you understand," Livingston said.

"Now, being in this position and playing with guys like Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry, Draymond (Green), All-Stars, being on this team, there was a time I was getting waived off teams that weren't winning 20 games."

To classify Livingstone as a journeyman is practically an understatement. Just 30, the Warriors are already his ninth NBA team.

Livingston has played the most games of his career over the past two seasons, 78 each, and emerged as a trustworthy backup to Curry when he comes off the bench with high energy and aggression.

That night of Feb 26, 2007, still fuels him.

Livingston overcame long medical odds just to get back on the court, and for that he is grateful every time he laces up his shoes for practice or games.

Livingston tore three major ligaments in his knee - the anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate and medial collateral - as well as his lateral meniscus, then required extensive surgery performed by renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama.

Livingston also dislocated his knee cap and tibiofemoral joint.

Though the injury could have potentially ended his career at age 21, he still believed he would play again - but first he had to walk again.

After all that, the Warriors love watching him contribute in such a meaningful way as they chase a second straight championship.

"He's been huge. Not just this series, all year," Green said after Golden State eliminated Houston on Wednesday night, 114-81.

"He's really stepping in for Steph, and it's different. It's not what you're used to, which is what's so unique about it. But he's been incredible for us, always steady, somebody we know we can go to if we need a basket and taking care of the ball and really running the offense."

Livingston's remarkable comeback inspired coach Steve Kerr this season when he was coping with his own trying ordeal, a long leave of absence following complications from two back surgeries.

"I admire Shaun Livingston. He had probably the worst knee injury that I've ever seen, that anybody's ever seen in NBA history, almost had his leg amputated," Kerr said this week after being named Coach of the Year.

"Think about the several years of rehabilitation that it took for Shaun to get back to the point where he is now. That inspires me, my players inspire me. People may forget, but if it weren't for the knee injury, Shaun was headed for a superstar career."

Drafted fourth overall by the Clippers in 2004, Livingstone was hit with plenty of injury hard luck well before the frightening knee blowout and had yet to even play a full NBA season because of injuries.

"Going through those experiences, it's humbling ... just never getting too high or too low," Livingston said.

"Just respecting the process, keeping your head down and keep grinding."

He has vowed to be aggressive and make things happen at every chance to keep Golden State's record-setting season going.

The Warriors had an NBA-best 24-0 start on the way to a 73-9 record that topped the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' previous-best finish of 72-10.

Kerr was on that team. The encouraging words from the coach mean a lot to Livingston.

"He's played and won championships as a player, and he's been around," Livingston said. "He's played with the greatest and been coached by the greatest. So to hear those words, it's very humbling. I'm grateful. I take it in stride, and I just try to let it fuel me."

At 6-foot-7, Livingston is a tough matchup because of his size and athletic ability.

His teammates don't want him to change a thing.

Warriors won't stand in Walton's way

The Golden State Warriors have given the Los Angeles Lakers permission to approach assistant coach Luke Walton for their vacant top job.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr confirmed on Thursday the reigning NBA champions told Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak he could meet Walton following Golden State's series win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

"We told Mitch that he was perfectly welcome to talk to Luke as soon as the series was over and we have a little break," Kerr said.

Walton is a firm favorite with the Lakers having played on two NBA championship teams during nine seasons as a Laker.

The 36-year-old filled in for Kerr earlier this season and led the Warriors to a 39-4 record as the Golden State coach recovered from back surgery.

Although the wins were credited to Kerr under NBA rules, Walton is seen as an up-and-coming coaching talent.

He is already reported to have turned down an approach from the New York Knicks to be their head coach.

(China Daily 04/30/2016 page12)