Chelsea FC: Comparisons To 2015 NBA Champions Golden State Warriors

Shaun Livingston- Gary Cahill/Branislav Ivanovic

When teams look for defenders they want someone that can do it all. They need someone good in the air, strong on the ball, and can contribute occasionally on offense with a timely goal or two. When teams look for a backup point guard they want someone that can do it all as well. They look for a player that is strong on the ball, can contribute offensively with assists or points, can defend well, and has the demeanor necessary to maintain his composure.

All those traits and more are what make Shaun Livingston, Branislav Ivanovic, and Gary Cahill all so great. All three players have the characteristics necessary to be elite players and they have the demeanor to handle coming off the bench the way Livingston and Cahill did at times.

Livingston was one of the key players for the Warriors this season as they spent the last three years looking for the perfect back up to Stephen Curry and they found one in the former Brooklyn Nets star. He ran the second team unit with aplomb and his size advantage over many guards made him a versatile and talented defender. Versatility is also what makes Ivanovic so special as he is equally adept at shutting down one flank of the pitch as he is scoring world class goals.

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