Livingston Is Key to a Big Season

This could be the beginning of another significant step for the Clippers and Shaun Livingston.

The team made strides last season, enjoying the best season in franchise history, and the 6-foot-7 Livingston played a key role in his second year in the NBA. The Clippers look to Livingston to do more with the stakes even higher, and he said he likes their thinking.

“It’s going to be a big year for the team, that’s the most important thing, but I want it to be a big contribution year from me,” Livingston said after practice Wednesday at Santa Barbara City College.

“My mentality about the game, what I expect from myself, is just different than what it used to be. I’ve learned a lot and just know what to expect.”

It was high expectations that prompted the Clippers to select Livingston out of high school with the fourth pick in the 2004 draft.

The Clippers envisioned Livingston becoming an All-Star point guard because of his passing, court vision and instincts, and he showed positive signs in his rookie season, but was sidelined for 52 games because of knee and shoulder injuries.

Last season, Livingston sat out training camp and 21 games because of a stress reaction in his lower back. He appeared timid on his return, prompting Coach Mike Dunleavy to encourage Livingston to get his head together.

By the end of the regular season, Livingston was comfortable again and “doing all the things we were counting on him to do,” Dunleavy said. “He also defends, and that’s always going to earn you minutes, so he’s definitely a big part of this team.”

In an effort to play a full 82-game schedule this season, Livingston has added muscle, saying he weighs “around 200 pounds” after playing at about 190 last season. He also worked on his jumper throughout the summer.

“Just actually starting the season off, being healthy in training camp, is big for me,” he said.

Point guard Sam Cassell signed a two-year contract extension in the off-season and is still listed as a starter, but Livingston could move ahead of Cassell this season.

“He’s going to be the guy taking the torch, so it’s very important for him to be healthy,” swingman Corey Maggette said of Livingston. “It’s up to Coach Dunleavy when the torch will be passed officially, but everyone knows this team needs Shaun.”

*

Work could begin Nov. 1 on the team’s proposed state-of-the-art Westside practice facility and be completed in time for next season’s training camp, Dunleavy said.

“I kind of feel like you could get a pyramid built before we get this practice facility done,” Dunleavy said. “The longer we don’t have that practice facility the more it hurts our team.”

*

Cassell (strained left calf) and Tim Thomas (sore lower back) sat out practice for the second consecutive day.

jason.reid@latimes.com