Maraming ginulat na mga fans si dating Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston nang ianunsyo niya sa social media ang kanyang pagreretiro na.
Nagbulsa si Livingston ng tatlong NBA championships sa Warriors kung saan kabuang 15 seasons ang inilagi niya sa liga.
Si Shaun ang ikalawang player sa NBA history na nakompleto ang limang seasons sa isang team na merong NBA Finals appearance kada season.
Ang una nito ay si Tom Heinsohn, na naging bahagi sa siyam na seasons sa Boston Celtics sa pagitan ng 1956-65.
Kung maalala inabot din ng dalawang taon bago nakabalik sa NBA court si Livingston.
Naglaro siya ng apat na games sa Miami Heat noong 2008-09 season.
At mula noon naging mahalaga siyang backup guard sa Oklahoma City Thunder (2008-09), napunta sa Washington Wizards (2009-10), Charlotte Bobcats (2010-11), habang sa Milwaukee Bucks noong 2011-12, nalipat sa Washington Wizards at sa Cleveland Cavaliers (2012-13) bago sa huli sa Golden State noong 2014.
Pero nitong nakalipas na buwan ng Hulyo matapos ang NBA finals ay pinakawalan siya ng Warriors.
Sa kanyang career si Livingston ay nag-average ng 6.3 points, 3 assists at 2.4 rebounds per game sa loob ng 833 career games.
Sa kanyang Instagram post isinulat ni Livingston ang ganito: “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 that has beat the odds understands the mental and emotional strain it takes to inspire yourself on an uphill war, let alone inspire others.”
“The injury’ gave me a chance to find and prove to myself (and the world) that I wouldn’t be defined by my circumstances. With my time in the League what I will be most proud of is the fact that my character, values and faith were tested, and I persevered.”
Kasunod nito nagbigay pugay naman si Warriors GM Bob Myers kay Shaun.
“Shaun Livingston’s story is one of the most inspirational in the history of professional sports. What he accomplished after suffering so many trials and tribulations early in his career is a true testament to who he is as a person, which has always been characterized by tremendous class, grace and professionalism. He represents everything that you’d want in a professional athlete and, most importantly, in a human being. We appreciate what he did for our team and organization over the last five years, becoming a three-time NBA champion and a key figure on one of the best teams in NBA history. We wish him well as he begins the next phase in his life.”
