Versatility, youth has Clips poised for more success

August 18,2006

SI.com: There's little question Shaun Livingston is easily one of this game's most exciting young players, and that Sam Cassell's hard-to-counter in-between game put the Clippers over the top last year, but what does that do for the Clippers in 2006-07? If Cassell falters a bit at age 37, will the 21-year old Livingston be ready to run the show?

Kevin Arnovitz: Livingston has some work to do on his jump shot and there's been a persistent concern about how his lanky frame will hold up if he's asked to play over 2,500 minutes during a season. His performance in April and into the playoffs, though, suggest that he's ready to step in and start.

The Clippers, first and foremost, are an interior team, and Livingston has shown an uncanny ability to get Elton Brand and Chris Kaman the ball -- not only in the post, but precisely where they want it. And when the team is in a controlled transition, Livingston is downright lethal. He's gotten better at using his size to his advantage by posting up smaller PGs and, at 6-7, he's become a proficient defender on the rotation, capable of guarding ones, twos and even some small forwards.