"Livingston's Return This Season Is Doubtful"

Post #1 » by **mkwest** » Fri Mar 7, 2008 9:52 pm

Clippers point guard Shaun Livingston is unlikely to return this season after a medical examination on Wednesday revealed tendinitis in his surgically repaired left knee.

Doctor James Andrews recommended that Livingston scale back his activities for the next four weeks. The Clippers' last game of the season is April 16.

It now appears that Livingston will not return to game action until the summer league.

LA Times

Post #2 » by **mkwest** » Fri Mar 7, 2008 10:08 pm

It's definitely not the news that I was hoping for. With Shaun not being able to step on the court until summer league just makes it all the more important that the Clippers draft a point/combo in the draft. The bright side is that he can kind of slow down and be patient rather than try to rush things just to get back on the court to play this season.

Post #3 » by **SD2042** » Fri Mar 7, 2008 10:18 pm

Not the best news to hear for the Clips and the fans. Hopefully by the summer league, Livi will be 100% healthy and able to get back into the play of things. You make a good point mk. The Clips may need to venture into the draft looking for a PG in case that Livi's injuries may hold him back more than it already has. The question now becomes. Who can the Clips look forward to for the PG slot?

illastrate · Post #4 » by **illastrate** » Fri Mar 7, 2008 10:22 pm

SD2042 wrote:Not the best news to hear for the Clips and the fans. Hopefully by the summer league, Livi will be 100% healthy and able to get back into the play of things. You make a good point mk. The Clips may need to venture into the draft looking for a PG in case that Livi's injuries may hold him back more than it already has. The question now becomes. Who can the Clips look forward to for the PG slot?

Regardless if he's 100% healthy or not, the Clips need a PG badly. Rose and Bayless are my top two options. If we can't get them, then go for a combo guard like Gordon or Mayo.

Hopefully Livy has worked on his shooting and post game. And with his size, we can possibly move him to the SG spot.

JJ LoDuca · Post #5 » by **JJ LoDuca** » Sat Mar 8, 2008 1:28 am

Funny how the headline on Clippers.com is "Livingston's Stability Looks Excellent" and the title for the Times article is "Livingston's return this season is doubtful." I guess it all depends on perspective...

It's a real shame that Shaun won't be able to play for us this season, primarily because he won't have the opportunity to prove himself, but also because his eventual return to the big time will inevitably be less dramatic. Sorry I had to point that out, I'm taking public relations classes. :roll:

I really miss dude's game, but I guess the bonus of him missing extra time is that by the time summer league and '08-'09 rolls around, he'll be beyond ready to go.

Post #6 » by **mkwest** » Sat Mar 8, 2008 3:30 am

Dr. James Andrews wrote:"I evaluated Shaun yesterday in San Francisco. He has developed a lot of muscle return and recovery in the knee. The stability of the knee looks excellent. We are still holding him back from competitive play because he has developed some tendinitis about his knee, which will require approximately four more weeks to settle down. We will re-evaluate him at that time to see if he's able to undergo some high level basketball activity at the end of the season. We still expect a full recovery, but it is time related."

Clippers.com

That's a bit more encouraging to read.

The guard position is something that needs to be upgraded in the offseason no matter what as illastrate said. Be it by draft, free agency or trade, something is needed to improve the backcourt.

cinnamon · Post #7 » by **cinnamon** » Sat Mar 8, 2008 4:43 am

Greatly as he is missed, Shaun shouldn't come back until he is as fit and healthy as he can possibly become --- even if that is summer, or training camp, or whatever.
I agree that the Clippers have to address the guard situation before next season, and at the same time I hope very much that Shaun will also be on board and back to full strength by then.

Post #8 » by **TNBT** » Sat Mar 8, 2008 6:24 am

Hey guys, I'm a Bulls fan but the Clippers (and a couple of others) are my 2nd team(s). I was really excited when Livingston was drafted and I felt he was a potential superstar. After 3 years, what are your opinions of how he has looked on the court and what do you expect for the future?

JJ LoDuca · Post #9 » by **JJ LoDuca** » Sat Mar 8, 2008 10:07 pm

The Next Big Thing wrote: After 3 years, what are your opinions of how he has looked on the court and what do you expect for the future?

Shaun's skill level and basketball IQ are undeniable. Like Dunleavy said after he got hurt, his height and knack for the game are his biggest assets, and the injury can't take that away. I expect Livy to come back and start for us next season and be just as good as he was before he was hurt. I'm sure it'll take him a few months to get back into the habit of playing ball, but once he gets his rhythm back I hope he'll be the superstar PG we're all hoping he'll be. When all is said and done I want Livingston's jersey hanging next to Brand's in the rafters at Staples Center....I want Shaun to be that kind of player for us.

Post #10 » by **TNBT** » Sun Mar 9, 2008 12:05 am

Sounds like you guys have very high expectations for him. I really hope that he can avoid more injuries, because I'm sick of people like Grant Hill and Penny Hardaway who have so much talent but just can't stay healthy.

mj_shoefanatic · Post #11 » by **mj_shoefanatic** » Sun Mar 9, 2008 4:32 am

Shaun needs to gain 10-15 lbs to be really effective on this team to start 08/09. Good luck to him!! :pray:

bulldogcharly · Post #12 » by **bulldogcharly** » Sun Mar 9, 2008 4:40 am

mj_shoefanatic wrote:Shaun needs to gain 10-15 lbs to be really effective on this team to start 08/09. Good luck to him!!

i hope that hes still on the team next year. i really hope no other teams want livingston so we can sign him for little money. hes still young and has tons of potential and was playing well before his knee injury and i truly believe he will still be good after he comes back.

Post #13 » by **mkwest** » Sun Mar 9, 2008 4:57 am

I'm optimistic so I think he'll come back be able to play. As long as he keeps his mind right. The surgeon has already said that the stability of the knee looks excellent and that a complete recovery is expected. With that he just needs to conquer the psychological aspects of playing, anticipating contact and all of that. I'd like to see him put on some muscle as well, but his knee needs to be back in working order before he puts added weight on it. I don't know if the guy has really found a good nutritionist to monitor his diet, but if he hasn't it would be in his best interest to.