Golden State Warriors: An ode to the beloved Shaun Livingston

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 17: Shaun Livingston #34 of the Golden State Warriors holds the NBA trophy on the plane as the team travels home from Cleveland after winning the 2015 NBA Finals on June 17, 2015 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 17: Shaun Livingston #34 of the Golden State Warriors holds the NBA trophy on the plane as the team travels home from Cleveland after winning the 2015 NBA Finals on June 17, 2015 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The silky mid-range

As previously mentioned, Livingston’s offensive play in the modern era can limit what a team can do when he runs the floor. Ben Simmons’ often lack of effectiveness in the half-court is an example of what a lack of a 3-pointer can do to a point guard.

Shaun was by no means a great shooter, but that mid-range…

At the peak of his powers, it seemed as though Livingston never missed a turn-around mid-range jumper.

His superior size over his defender allowed him to post up and shoot over his man in a way that is not dissimilar to the way Durant is able to do so. KD, of course, can stretch his play far wider than Shaun, but Livingston’s post-game added an extra layer to an already transcendent offense.

What made Livingston so bothersome on the offensive end was his efficiency.

In five seasons with Golden State, he never shot below 50% from the field. For a perimeter player, it is a tremendous achievement, and this made him a proverbial security blanket for Steve Kerr to employ in times of need.

Together with Iguodala, Livingston was vital in many instances where the starting group struggled and needed assistance from the super-vets. The power of the bench unit declined in the KD years due to limited cap space, but Andre and Shaun were always relied upon to steady the ship.