ORLANDO – He's only 23 years old, but Shaun Livingston already sounds like such an old soul. There is a good reason. He's been to basketball hell and back.Livingston is continuing his miraculous comeback here -- from that horrific knee injury he suffered in the 2006-07 season -- at the Orlando Pro Summer League, hoping to earn a roster spot next season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He may never be the player he once was projected to be, but just seeing him on the court moving well again should be an inspiration to anyone trying to return from an injury.
"I'm not a success story yet,'' he said after his seven-point, six assist performance in a Thunder victory over the Magic Monday. "But I will be.''
Livingston came into the NBA with the Clippers as the No. 4 pick in the 2004 Draft, an 18-year-old point guard with unbelievable skills for someone so young, thinking he could rewrite the book on his position.
After injuries slowed his first two seasons -- dislocated right knee, torn cartilage in his right shoulder, stress reaction in his back -- he started showing real promise in that third season until he literally blew out his left knee. The video of the injury is like an R-rated film because of its grotesque nature.
Without being hit by anyone, his knee just collapsed after a breakaway layup, tearing up three of the four major ligaments and dislocating the patella and tibia femoral bones. His knee was bending in the opposite direction that it normally goes, like the hinge just broke. It was so bad, there was originally talk that a partial amputation of the leg might be necessary.
And now he is back on the court again.
After more than two years of rehabilitation, he actually returned late last season for 12 games (with Miami and Oklahoma City, combined), but it was obvious his movement wasn't quite there. He hopes it will be this season.
"The injury, it is what it is. It was one of those things you wish never had happened, but life works in mysterious ways,'' he said. "My goal is to be where I was before the injury, but it still will take time. I'm lucky enough and young enough that I've got some time.''
The Thunder are set at point guard with young Russell Westbrook, the No. 4 pick of the 2008 Draft, and at shooting guard with rookie James Harden, selected third a week two weeks ago, but they are hoping that Livingston could become the backup at both positions.
"Everybody knows that his basketball IQ is high,'' said Thunder assistant coach Brian Keefe. "But we've all been impressed by his work ethic. He had a major setback to his career, but he's been very diligent at working to get back. His goal is to get back to where he once was. And I think he'll eventually get there.''
Livingston has no guarantee for this season, but only the hope that his comeback will continue successfully. He wears a sleeve on his knee for support, and he doesn't have the spring in his legs like he once did. But he believes for now that his knowledge of the game will carry him until the knee returns completely.
"I had my doubts at times (the last two years), but never to the point where I didn't think this comeback was possible,'' he said. "It's been harder than any other injury could be, but I never lost faith. I'm headed in the right direction.''
