Blue Man Hoop caught up with Shaun Livingston and Zaza Pachulia while they were helping out at the Golden State Warriors Youth Basketball Overnight Camp at CSU Monterey Bay.
SEASIDE, Calif. — Current Golden State Warriors players and soon-to-be NBA free agents Shaun Livingston and Zaza Pachulia were present at the Warriors Overnight Camp at CSU Monterey Bay, where they took part in helping young basketball players develop their skills.
Pachulia, who also brought along his family to experience all that the Monterey Bay had to offer, said that his favorite part of the camp was just seeing how ecstatic the kids were to see him and Livingston.
"“The first moment when they saw Shaun and myself, they got so excited,” said Pachulia. “Just the emotions and reactions that they have after taking pictures — shaking our hands, seeing us (personally). It was just a great moment to interact with each other.”“After the season, obviously, everybody’s happy with the result, so there’s a lot of smiley faces. It’s a priceless moment.”"
When asked about how important it is for professional athletes and other prominent figures to help out in the community, Pachulia said that while it’s been part of his career as a professional basketball player to give back, he understands the significance of taking the time to acknowledge fans because opportunities like the Warriors basketball camp weren’t available to him when he was younger.
"“It’s been part of our career to have a really good relationship with the fans, especially when it comes to the kids. It’s just such a great moment,” said Pachulia.“A lot of the times, we don’t have these kinds of appearances or moments. I’m kind of jealous to watch it — I wish I had this kind of opportunity to meet the NBA players when I was that age. But I hope all the talking and all the advice that we give to the kids, they’re gonna take advantage of it.”"
Livingston said more of the same, mentioning how kids are always so awestruck when they see professional athletes like him and Pachulia.
#Warriors Overnight Camp with Zaza Pachulia and Shaun Livingston @BlueManHoop #DubNation pic.twitter.com/CywWCu6mbz
— Angelo Mendoza (@_AngeIo) June 29, 2017
When posed with the question of how he relays lessons he’s learned while working his way back into the NBA following his debilitating leg injury in 2007, Livingston said it’s all about instilling the sense of being a good person in everything you do.
"“My message last night was just about being selfless, being a good teammate, a good human being, more so just how you treat people,” said Livingston. “It really lasts longer than anything you can accomplish on the court.”"
With just two days left before NBA free agency officially begins, Pachulia was unsure as to whether he was a lock to stay with the Warriors, though Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle mentioned that Pachulia had said in February that he wanted to stay with Golden State.
When asked whether he still wanted to remain with the Warriors, Livingston answered affirmatively, saying that Golden State has continually proved they’re the best organization in the NBA.
"“Right now, Golden State is kinda the ‘golden standard’ in the sense of the NBA, sense of success, sense of winning,” said Livingston. “What we’ve been able to accomplish the last three years, it’s a special ride.”“I think you’re starting to see other teams around the NBA emulating what Golden State has done and trying to build their brand, build their organization in the same footsteps as what the Warriors have done.”"