http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/marty_burns/11/17/livingston/ind ex.html With his extraordinary vision and laser-like passing, Clippers rookie point gu ard Shaun Livingston has never had a problem finding teammates in traffic. Dea ling with traffic in his new home of Los Angeles, however, has been another ma tter altogether for the 19-year-old. "I tried to take the highway one morning to practice, and it was raining," say s Livingston, explaining how he arrived five minutes late -- and received his first fine as a Clipper. "Traffic is already crazy in L.A. With the rain, peop le don't know what to do with themselves. God forbid it ever snows. It will be a breakdown. Day After Tomorrow stuff." So far Livingston's NBA start has been anything but a Hollywood disaster flick . Many expected the 6-foot-7 string bean, who along with Portland's Sebastian Telfair is attempting to become the first point guard to go straight from high school to the pros, to struggle mightily in the early going. But濳hat hasn't been the case. Though his numbers aren't eye-popping (4.3 points and 2.8 assis ts in 20.5 minutes off the bench), Livingston has shown he can play at the NBA level. At times he has even dazzled. In fact, when Livingston's surprising Cl ippers take on the cross-town Lakers at Staples Center on Wednesday night it's no stretch to suggest he might be as much a focus of L.A. fans' attention as Kobe Bryant. Already Livingston has electrified Staples with his fancy passes on several oc casions this season, and many Clippers fans feel they might have the city's ne xt Magic Johnson. "We're very pleased with Shaun's progress in all areas," say s Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy, who has tried to bring along his young star sl owly. "He's a great kid, he works real hard. He's going to be terrific." Livingston has been hailed as the next Penny Hardaway or Magic since his days as a high school star in Peoria, Ill. But most expected the willowy teenager w ould need time to develop in the NBA. Few expected him to contribute as much r ight away as other top rookies such as Orlando's Dwight Howard and Charlotte's Emeka Okafor. But in his NBA debut Livingston had six points, five rebounds a nd three assists in 16 minutes to help the Clippers rout the Sonics. A few day s later he played steady in crunch time in a win over the Warriors. Against th e world champion Pistons, he electrified the Staples crowd with an enthusiasti c stint that included a nifty pass, a blocked shot, a charge taken and a beaut iful scoop shot. And last week he had six points, four rebounds, six assists a nd four steals in L.A's rout at Indiana. The next night against the Bulls, he buzzed a pass behind the head of a clueless Tyson Chandler to a streaking Core y Maggette for a layup. A level-headed mature sort who originally committed to Duke before deciding to turn pro, Livingston admits he's even a bit surprised by his quick start. Lik e his critics, he too wasn't sure his 180-pound frame would hold up against bi gger NBA players. "You always have a little bit of doubt just coming out of hi gh school and with my body frame," Livingston says. "I was curious if I could really defend bigger, stronger guys, but when you get down to it, defense isn' t just physical. It's mental too. If you can outthink your opponent, anticipat e what plays are going to happen in advance, and just be smart out there, you can make up for weaknesses." The Peoria Central product credits some of his success defensively to an offse ason working with trainer Tim Grover, the man who helped Michael Jordan bulk u p. He also played a lot of pickup basketball in Chicago and L.A., going agains t the likes of Baron Davis, Paul Pierce, Dwyane Wade and Maggette. "It definit ely helped a lot," Livingston says. "Just playing with NBA players this past s ummer, going up against them, has helped me. Just polishing up my game." Over the summer Livingston bought a $1-million-plus, three-bedroom home with a view of the ocean in Southern California which he shares with an adult family friend who's agreed to help manage his affairs. Despite the trappings of bein g the No. 4 pick in last June's draft, he has won over teammates with his matu rity.嘢ther than毪eing late for that one practice, Livingston has been a profe ssional all the way. "I don't know if it's because he's slim or what, I though t he'd come in a giddy guy," Clippers forward Elton Brand says. "But he's seri ous. He wants to play, and wants to play well in this league. It's evident in the way he approaches things ... and man can he pass the ball. Sometimes you'v e got to remind yourself that he's on the court, because the ball could be com ing your way at any time." It's still far too early to say Livingston will be an NBA superstar. His outsi de shooting remains a question mark and his lack of strength could be more of an issue as opposing players begin to target him in the post. He also might fi nd it harder to pass over the top when he becomes a bigger part of opposing sc outing reports. But for now Livingston, provided he can make it through L.A. t raffic, appears to be on the fast road to NBA success. Marty Burns covers pro basketball for SI.com. --

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