Steve Kerr Tweets Profound Tribute to Shaun Livingston Following Retirement Announcement
By Jerry Trotta
Even before the end of the 2018-19 NBA season -- and before the Golden State Warriors waived him in the offseason -- Shaun Livingston hinted that he was considering retirement on several separate occasions. Therefore, it wasn't at all surprising that the 34-year-old guard elected to officially call it quits on Friday after 15 years in the Association.
The news was rightly followed by an outpouring of love and well-wishes to Livingston, who, against all odds, became a pivotal component to Dubs' historic run to five consecutive Finals. One of those individuals was head coach Steve Kerr, who recently sent out a tribute of the highest regard on S-Dot's behalf.
It’s hard to express how thankful I am to have coached this man the past 5 years. What an amazing combination of talent, grace, & character. I will miss his calm leadership,his presence, his passing & his turnaround jumpers in the post. Nothing but great things ahead! https://t.co/rWCPXfFmfB
— Steve Kerr (@SteveKerr) September 14, 2019
Notice how Kerr doesn't even exalt Livingston's basketball prowess until the very end of his post; that should tell you everything you need to know about the great deal he meant to the Golden State locker room. It appears that his greatest accomplishment wasn't his three rings or his unstoppable turnaround jumper, with Kerr noting instead his status as the consummate model of everything a person and professional athlete should be at heart.
If you recall the devastating, scary knee injury that befell Livingston in 2007 with the Clippers and could have easily ended his career entirely, it's not hard to fathom the character and resolve he exudes.
After 15 years in the NBA, I’m excited, sad, fortunate and grateful all in one breath. Hard to put into a caption all of the emotions it takes to try and accomplish your dreams. I wasn’t supposed to be here. Anybody… https://t.co/Qj8f3M72B1
— Shaun Livingston (@ShaunLivingston) September 13, 2019
Well said, coach. Thank you for shedding a bit of light onto the person Shaun Livingston was off the court. He was truly a champion in spirit apart from the rings he won in Oakland.