Thankfully, Shaun Livingston is as nice as his face reveals. He couldn’t have been more gracious, even wanting to sit down on the desk so we could be eye to eye during the interview, (as I was standing, and he being 6’7” and all). The following is a Q&A, where the champ talks–well champion stuff–as well as fashion, the Bay, and life lessons. How does it feel to be a champion again? Um, it feels great. It feels amazing. Uh, you now, to do it twice, you know, some people don’t get a chance or opportunity to do it once. And so, um, it was shock the first time around. The second time around, it’s just pure joy. What do you think was the difference between last season and this one that allowed you to clinch the title? Um, well, Kevin Durant was a big part. Um, we didn’t have him last year. He got MVP this year. Showed you his value to our team, and, um, to the league. And, I think as well, we just, we finished the job. We were healthy. I think we’re healthier as well. Our team is healthy. What do you want the public to know about you, and about the Warriors as a whole? Um, you know, that as good as we are, you know, we’re better, I think we’re better guys. You know, um, we have selfless guys. Guys with high character, throughout the whole organization. So I think that’s why we’ve been successful. How would you describe your off-court style? [Laughs] Um, a classic man. Classic guy. What does the Bay Area represent for you? Um, culture. Uh, pride. Um, you know, kind of, like support. You know, support their own, supportive. Um, you know, and just hard driven as well, with the entrepreneur-type mentality. Your injury in 2007. What was like the one big thing that you learned from that? Um, just perseverance. That’s probably the word I’d use. Perseverance. Being able to persevere through adversity. Photograph by Allison Ekevara Kitpowsong.
