Nothin' But Nets
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Former Brooklyn Nets in the NBA Finals

By Christian Milcos

Dec 13, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Brooklyn Nets point guard Shaun Livingston (14) tries to dribble around Detroit Pistons shooting guard Rodney Stuckey (3) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Brooklyn Nets point guard Shaun Livingston (14) tries to dribble around Detroit Pistons shooting guard Rodney Stuckey (3) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brooklyn Nets
Jun 1, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) and guard Stephen Curry (30) smile during the third quarter in game one of the 2017 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Shaun Livingston

In a move that was highly supported by then coach, Kidd, the Nets signed Livingston to be the team’s backup point guard on July 11th, 2014. He would go on to have one of the most successful seasons of his career in Brooklyn, only to sign a three year, $16 million contract with the Warriors exactly a year to the day from when he signed with the Nets.

Livingston was one of the more valuable players on Brooklyn during its late season playoff run in 2014. He was an ideal starting point guard for a Kidd coach squad, as his length and versatility allowed him to overmatch many guards.

He averaged 9.7 points per game on 51% shooting from the field in 12 playoff games for Brooklyn. Livingston was particularly stellar during the Nets’ game seven victory of Toronto, in which he shot 4-5 from the field with three assists in 18 minutes of action. The combination of him and Williams in the backcourt proved to be quite effective as the Nets dug themselves out of an early season hole in the beginning of 2014.

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Since then, he has become an integral part of a potent Warriors bench. Much like with Williams, Steve Kerr has paired Livingston and Stephen Curry in the backcourt, often times creating a matchup nightmare for the opposing team. In his time with the Warriors, Livingston’s numbers do not jump off the page, yet he is a prime example of player who finds ways to be effective while not jacking up threes.

Livingston is due to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and given his resurgence over the past four seasons, he is bound to draw much interest. Maybe the coach who gave him his first opportunity after a near career ending knee injury will pursue him, or perhaps Golden State go even further over the luxury tax to retain the 6-7 guard.