And then there were 14...Goodbye Shaun Livingston

The Miami Heat released Shaun Livingston, meaning the point guard will have to attempt his comeback elsewhere. His conditional contract would have become guaranteed for the rest of the season Jan. 10.

Livingston last played Dec. 6 for 12 minutes against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He appeared in only four games this season. He looked stiff in his brief appearances, but had said regaining his explosion was the last stage of his rehab. The Heat had raved about his work ethic and ability in practice, and coach Erik Spoelstra emphasized that the Heat would take a long-term approach with Livingston. It's hard to tell what kind of progress Livingston made in about three months with the Heat because he played so sparingly and the media does not get to watch practice. In recent days Spoelstra had been vague about Livingston's status, saying the team would soon determine whether he could play in upcoming games.

Livingston's former Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said earlier this season that questions remained about whether Livingston would return to his old form. After watching Livingston work out this summer, Dunleavy got the sense it probably would take Livingston much of this season to rehab.

It's not particularly surprising that Livingston was waived because of the players that signed partially guaranteed contracts before the season, Livingston played the least. His release makes it likely that Jamaal Magloire and Joel Anthony's contracts will become guaranteed for the rest of the season.

The Heat now has a roster spot to potentially re-sign Alonzo Mourning, as only 14 players are under contract. Spoelstra said Saturday that Mourning was about three or four weeks away from making a decision about whether he would return this season. 

Comments

[DarK]

Lets get Zo Back!!!

Go Heat

[heat4ever]

I don't think Livingston will be able to regain his old any time soon. He was out all of last year rehabing and he still needs a lot more time. I would've liked to see him get this season off and come back next year, but I'm not sure he'll be healthy by then. I hope that Zo does come back because he is a better backup than Magloire and he plays with all his heart and passion.

[ebag]

good of the heat to take a chance on him. i will wish him a good recovery...it took tim hardaway years to regain his game after blowing out his knees w. the warriors.

and i'm with darK
we want zo
we want zo
we want zo...

[phil]

I love ZO, but at 39 I believe ZO needs to retire so that we can really search for another Center that we maybe able to keep next season and build some chemistry for next year with the rebuilding process. Why put Zo here and take minutes away from Joel, and Magloir or maybe we can trade with OKC Thunder whom has some decent biggs that they may get rid off soon. I love ZO, but we need to groom a big for this team that can score and is young. Center is our weakest point because we have two bigs that can not score or demand double teams to take pressure off the shooters. If we had a decent Center Beasley would be so much better. We need to make a move when James Jones comes back Marion for a good center and do our best to package him with Blunt cause that is the most wasted space for a center that is 7'0" and can not post up or worst REBOUND, come on the PG rebounds better.