Shaun Livingston Sees Serious Playing Time in Milwaukee

By Bucks Tickets Fan JB | Posted Wednesday, March 7

Milwaukee Bucks stand-out Shaun Livingston is having the best season of his eight year NBA career. Livingston, who was acquired in a draft-day trade with the Bobcats, has seen serious playing time this season. He’s happy to be in Milwaukee and playing a starting position for the first time in two years. Playing along side Brandon Jennings, the shooting guard is averaging nearly eight points and two assists per game. His forty-seven percent shooting accuracy represents the best numbers of his career. His time with the Bucks started with this NBA veteran playing a reserve role. That seemed to be Livingston's initial destination, a spot he is all too accustomed to. He moved up to starter after the lackluster performances of Stephen Jackson forced Scott Skiles to look to his bench for a replacement. This move has given the veteran a meaningful chance to rescue his career.

According to some NBA experts, Livingston was destined for stardom. He was drafted straight out of high school as a fourth overall pick in 2004. His name was grouped together with the likes of Kobe and LeBron. A serious knee injury early in his professional career, hobbled the young aspiring athlete, and he was slow to recover. He missed the entire 2007-08 season and was then picked-up by Miami in 2009. Over the next two seasons he would go on to play for a number of clubs but saw little action until being picked up by the Charlotte Hornets.

Livingston Happy to Play for Bucks

Livingston's slow comeback could be traced to his respectable 2010 showing with the Washington Wizards. He took advantage of eighteen starts in twenty-six games by averaging close to ten points a night with five assists. Charlotte would give him his next opportunity, where he played in over seventy games during 2011. Now with the Bucks, the versatile player's assets are being put to the test. His ability to play both point and shooting guard has given Skiles an effective weapon during this turbulent season. As Milwaukee has starters out with injuries, the need to rotate players has given Livingston a chance to prove his worth. Bucks players find Livingston to be easy to work with, as he understands Milwaukee’s style of play. Livingston will be the first to admit that his knee is about eighty percent of what it used to be. The injury has also made him a more cautious player than he once was, forcing him to slow down and think rather than relying on athletic ability. Still, this player complements Brandon Jennings’ drive, and style. Livingston is eternally grateful to be playing in the NBA.