The Golden State Warriors responded to their blowout Game 5 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies by beating them in Game 6 at home and taking the series. A large difference between the two games was the rebounding numbers, with the Warriors pulling down a whopping 70 boards compared to the Grizzlies’ 44. And the biggest factor in that was Kevon Looney, who managed to collect 22 rebounds, 11 of them on the offensive end of the court.
Looney has started just five times during these playoffs for the Warriors, but the decision was made involving Steph Curry and Draymond Green to start the big man in Game 6 against the Grizz. He rewarded that faith by having a monster night, playing 35 minutes, and putting up a plus-minus score of +10.
Another factor in the Warriors’ win was Klay Thompson, who was feeling good about himself after another stellar Game 6 display, and Klay was asked about Looney in the post-game press conference. In his usual affable manner, Klay praised his teammate and bestowed him with a nickname that compared Looney to NBA great Hakeem Olajuwon.
"Kevon Looajuwon"
Klay has a new nickname for Loon 💀 pic.twitter.com/gWlLApIZVl
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) May 14, 2022
Reporter: “Getting Loon back in the starting lineup, to have that physicality, and 70 rebounds, 22 by Looney, and what do you think of that and the decision that Steph and Draymond were part of in getting Looney in the starting line-up?”
Klay Thompson: “Kevon should go by ‘Kevon Looajuwon’ cuz he was really just a freak out there. And guy has like, elastic arms, he can just stretch. But I mean, Draymond, Steph, Andre, those guys see the game, they’re playing chess when everyone else is playing checkers. And Draymond is like an extension of our coaching staff, so is Steph, so it doesn’t surprise me that they made that call and delivered.”
The Warriors possess several weapons that they can use against various teams, and playing Looney was a masterstroke for the team. These types of adjustments and players knowing their role makes the Warriors extremely dangerous and now that they’re in the Conference Finals, the team will surely be looking to win it all this season.
