Shaun Livingston proves Jason Kidd right

Shaun Livingston is the manifestation of Mark Jackson's old line: too many people look at what a player can't do rather than what he can do ... and as a result, they miss out on talent and commitment.

Livingston can't shoot the three ball, is too thin, too fragile, some GM's believed. Indeed, he was cut by the Wizards a year ago, then caught on with the Cavaliers.   Now, because it appears Jason Kidd followed Jackson's dictum, he is playing the best ball of his career in Brooklyn, with a shot at getting back to the playoffs for the first time in seven years. Kidd saw what he can do: run a team, defend, give him a size advantage. Not to mention the intangibles.

"He's playing at a very high-level," Kidd said, after the 76ers game. "And we need him to do that. His character, on and off the court, he's as good as they come. He loves the game and with the injury that he had, he appreciates it that much more."

Livingston's story appealed to Kidd, the wunderkind who looked like he was headed to a great career before blowing out his knee early on, then worked his way back, stopping along the way in Miami, Tulsa (D-League), Oklahoma City, Washington, Charlotte, Milwaukee, Washington again and Charlotte. He fought to get Livingston signed as a back-up and maybe a complement to Deron Williams.

Obviously, it worked. His line the other night --14 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and a career-high seven steals in 37 minutes -- is perhaps the second best all-around line for a point guard this season. Only Michael Carter-Williams, who he hounded all night, had a better one.

"As long as we get the win, that’s what I’m about. I play to win. If I have great numbers, that’s great, obviously you feel good about it, but still, I’m playing to win."

• Nets: Shaun Livingston fuels surge - Andy Vasquez - The Record
• Tale of finding oneself has helped Nets’ Livingston raise his game - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
• Livingston feels revitalized, blessed - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
• Jason Kidd enjoying job after rough start - Rod Boone - Newsday
• Starting Five: Coach Kidd settling in - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
• Nets rewind: Kidd puts in the ‘hands team’ - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
• Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan meet for what could be last time as Nets host Spurs - Stefan Bondy - New York Daily News
• Shaun Livingston hosting fundraiser in hometown for tornado victims - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game