• Kevon Looney gave some valuable advice at the recent Rico Hines open run
• Looney stressed the importance of mastering a role
• Looney has become a three-time champion through his invaluable big-man support for the Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have developed Kevon Looney into becoming one of their franchise legends by virtue of being on three title teams. He’s stayed on the franchise for eight years due to his invaluable rebounding and size on a team that has elected to keep him as their starter over acquiring flashy centers.
Looney gave memorable advice at the recent Rico Hines open runs about perfecting your skill sets.
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“Everybody’s trying to add too much to their game; just focus on one thing where you can become really good at it and hone onto that. It’ll make a big difference.”
Looney has averaged 5.1 points and 5.6 rebounds since being drafted in 2015. He was the last pick in the first round but has ground his way into remaining on the Warriors for the better part of a decade. He was drafted as an athletic forward but eventually settled into the role of a bruising center that prioritizes rim protection and rebounding.
Kevon Looney: The Warriors Legend
Kevon Looney has had a very unlikely path to success. He came into the league as a mobile big man who dominated in college, but concerns about a hip injury meant he fell in the Draft. Steve Kerr illustrated Looney’s importance to the Warriors and his perseverance over the course of his career.
“You have a guy who weathers every storm, no matter what it is. It could be health — two hip surgeries, a nerve issue. You’ve got a guy who approaches his rehab or his return to help with the diligence. Coming in every day, never missing a moment with the training staff. Never missing an appointment. He’s on time. And then the same guy learns how to be a productive player in the league. And the same guy produces whether you start him or bring them off the bench. He doesn’t pout. He just grabs his lunch pail and puts his hard hat on and goes to work. When you have that guy? He’s an example for your players every single day, in every realm. The guy is just a metronome. I don’t ever have to worry about Loon. Ever.”
The Warriors slowly helped Looney get to a place where he could remain healthy and contribute. With his hip restricting his mobility, Looney transitioned into being a full-time center with excellent results.
He has not missed a game in two seasons after being a chronic injury risk and was averaging 6.5 points and 13.1 rebounds in the 2023 Playoffs, having a 20-rebound game against Anthony Davis.
Kevon Looney Getting His Jersey Retired One Day
With Looney’s near-decade-long stint in Golden State with three championship rings to boot, many have started including him as part of the core dynasty. While he wasn’t there for their first title win, he has matured immensely alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. Green has advocated for Looney to get his jersey retired in Golden State eventually.
Whether Looney actually gets the rare opportunity of remaining a one-team man is something we’ll have to wait and see. It’s extremely plausible to see the team retain him for his locker room values even after the end of the Curry-Klay-Draymond trio, being used like how the Heat were using Udonis Haslem.
His journey to finding a home in the NBA paid fruit because he was willing to be a sponge. He learned whatever role the Warriors needed him to play and became a part of the franchise’s core.
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