SUMMARY
- Kevon Looney has been pushed deep into the Warriors' rotation.
- The veteran center claims it doesn't affect him as long as it helps the Warriors win.
If there is one individual who has had to sacrifice a lot while the Golden State Warriors struggled, it is Kevon Looney. Not a lot of fans understand how important he was during the Warriors’ most crucial years. Looney has been with the team since 2015. So he’s been through multiple beatdowns and the peaks ever since. Looney isn’t only just a great backup center, but he also carries valuable knowledge on how the Dubs work their schemes.
Since the start of this season, Golden State has been the centerpiece of a lot of criticism. They were on a horrible losing streak before picking up momentum towards the end of the first half. Steve Kerr had to do a lot of rewiring before the Warriors achieved a decent enough lineup to secure wins. And obviously, dealing with injuries and on-court controversies also brought them down miserably.
Kevon Looney doesn’t mind taking a step back
Following the first two or three months of the 2023-24 season, Kerr tried benching Draymond Green. However, on realizing how important it is to keep him as a mainstay, Kerr ended up bringing him back to the starting lineup. But now the Warriors are running Klay Thompson on the bench. After a terrible slump, Thompson seems to be doing well with their second unit. Another player who was pushed back was Kevon Looney.
In response to the re-arranging, Looney claimed he didn’t mind assuming a smaller role if it helped them win. He told NBC Sports, “It’s been all about winning since I’ve been here, and I’ve seen a lot of guys making sacrifices, guys that are better than me. So, who would I be to complain or cry and not carry on the tradition of being a great teammate?” Looney claimed that he is more than happy to make adjustments according to what Kerr has in mind.
Steve Kerr complimented Kevon Looney for his unselfish nature
Since making the adjustments, Kerr has brought Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga to the starting lineup. Both players have been performing well in their new roles, especially Kuminga who has been averaging 16.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 53.4% shooting. Kerr claims that he’s proud of the way Kevon Looney has been handling his new role on the roster.
Steve Kerr 🤝 Kevon Looney pic.twitter.com/jRu5kez5YL
— LoonMuse (@KevonLooneyMuse) March 21, 2024
He said, “I think Loon has set a tone for us for years regarding unselfishness and commitment to the team.” Coming off the bench, the 3x NBA Champion has averaged 4.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. Looney will also play a major role in training Trayce Jackson-Davis.