Hoops Habit
Fansided

20 Minutes Or Less: NBA All-Stars

By Josh Eberley

January 22, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili (20) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 22, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili (20) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Shaun Livingston, 19.1 MPG

Started from the top, went to the bottom, climbed back to the top. I’d ask who has conquered more challenges in their NBA career than Shaun Livingston but I’d be waiting awhile. The former fourth overall pick has had one heck of a journey to reach this point.

Livingston isn’t a modern NBA player, he doesn’t shoot three-pointers (12 total made triples in his career), and he plays on a team that has become synonymous with three-pointers. However, it doesn’t matter. Livingston has size, he has a high b-ball IQ, he can finish in the mid-range, and he’s still an above-average playmaker.

Livingston like most Warriors is a model of versatility, he has the size and ability to play the two, he has the tenacity and IQ to play the one. Livingston will never be the unquestioned leader of a contender, but he’s found a true niche in Golden State. He’s the closer, his 57 percent shooting in the fourth quarter is his highest in any quarter period.

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Many teams would love to have Livingston command their second unit and close down games safely while the stars rested. Livingston and the Warriors second unit has the second highest shooting percent in the league (.469), they trail only the Spurs at .493 this season.