The NBA was dealt some sad news when former Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston announced that he would be hanging it up after 15 seasons in the league. Warriors president Bob Myers has released a statement on Livingston's retirement:

Myers is dead on with his statement. Besides being an excellent player, Livingston embodied what it meant to have a heart of a champion.

After getting picked fourth overall in the 2004 draft, it seemed that the lanky PG out of Peoria was destined to be a star.

Just when he was breaking out in his third year, Livingston suffered one of the worst injuries in NBA history, tearing his left ACL, PCL, and meniscus, spraining his MCL, dislocating his kneecap, and breaking his leg.

Many thought that would be it for Livingston. At first, it looked like they would be right. However, Livingston recovered and fought through the rejection of being waived three times and traded countless times more, and eventually found his way to the Warriors seven years after his injury.

Livingston found his home in The Bay. He became a mainstay off the bench for Kerr, providing a calming veteran presence and a deadly mid-range jump shot. Livingston played for the Warriors in five consecutive NBA Finals appearances and ended his career with three rings.

Congratulations to Shaun Livingston on an amazing career. The Warriors and the NBA will miss his presence.