Even though the Golden State Warriors are just fighting to clinch a playoff spot, Kevon Looney believes … [+]
The Golden State Warriors may not be as dominant as they were during their run to four championships, but they still hang around.
After their 137-116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, the Warriors currently have a 36-32 record and are in 10th place in the Western Conference – the final spot for the play-in tournament. They are four games behind the sixth-seeded Sacramento Kings, meaning they will likely have to win a play-in game just to make the playoffs.
That being said, they still pose a threat considering they still have the core – Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and head coach Steve Kerr – from their championship victories. Their overall record may not be great, but they are 18-11 (62%) since Draymond Green’s return from his 12-game suspension. Spread over an entire season, the Warriors would currently be fifth in the Western Conference.
And even though mainstream fans don’t think of him often, Kevon Looney has been around for most of this series.
Looney, 28 — who was a part of three championship runs for Golden State and arrived in 2015, shortly after the dynasty began — explained why the enigmatic Green makes such a difference for a Warriors team that has often been dominated. made headlines thanks to the Splash Brothers’ highly publicized three-pointer.
“We definitely missed Draymond,” Looney admits during a one-on-one interview. “He’s a defensive guru. He’s a great passer. He’s one of our leaders. He plays with a lot of fiery energy that kind of fuels our team and when he wasn’t there , it was difficult. And since he’s come back, I feel like we’ve turned a corner and he’s been great in the locker room.”
Green was initially suspended indefinitely by the NBA for punching Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the head in December. However, that suspension didn’t last that long, as Green returned after 12 games in January. Just before his return, the Warriors were just 18-21 (.462) and were 10-11 in the games Green missed in December and January.
Looney says he and the Warriors disagreed on Green’s suspension.
“He’s been an even better leader,” Looney says of Green. “We didn’t all agree on the suspension. Since he’s been back, he’s been great. He was great before he left and got suspended. So it wasn’t like he had to make a radical change. When he came “Back, he is still our leader. It will be important in the home stretch. We must have him on our side. “
Looney — who was speaking on behalf of his partnership with Invisalign, a brand well-known for its clear dental aligners and sponsor of the NFL — explained why he partnered with them. Looney started treatment in September and says the process has been easy.
“I always like to smile,” Looney says. “But everyone has insecurities about their teeth and their smile. I’m always on TV, I’m always in public taking pictures. I just wanted to make sure my smile was perfect. I still want to keep my signature . and Invisalign allowed me to do it.
Looney also revealed how it boosted her confidence when it came to showing off her smile.
“I feel good,” Looney said. “The smile is getting better and I probably smile more and feel more confident.”
Although the Warriors are not accustomed to winning tournament games to make the playoffs – they already did it once in 2021 when they lost to the Lakers – they showed new life on the defensive end . The Warriors have posted a defensive rating of 113.9 in games where Green plays — which would rank 13th in the NBA — compared to a terrible 122.0 defensive rating without him, which would rank dead last in the league.
“These last 15 games, we just want to continue to establish our identity, be a great defensive team, get out in transition, play fast and loose,” Looney said. “When we do that, we’re hard to beat. We have to make sure we get the best seed possible and make the playoffs.”
Looney admits that while the Warriors have been vulnerable this season, he’s optimistic that once they hit their ceiling, they can beat any team in this league. It should be noted that they are only two years away from winning their last championship.
“We know we’re not the best team right now,” Looney says. “We’ve been very beatable. But we know if we hit our ceiling, we can beat anyone in this league.”
They showed new life not only with Green’s return to the court, but also with their new starting lineup, with the inclusion of Jonathan Kuminga and Brandon Podziemski. This move actually led to Thompson coming off the bench and Looney being relegated to a reserve role.
Looney — who had been the team’s starting big man since the end of the 2020-21 season and had held that position until late January — spoke selflessly about accepting his decrease in playing time.
“It’s about winning here,” Looney says. “Whatever helps us win. Whatever Coach Kerr feels will help our team, I’m ready to go for it. I’m ready to take it and try to be the best in my role. And if I’m substituted again and he needs me to play a lot of minutes, I’ll be ready for that. It’s not easy, but I always try to accept my role and be the best at it. “
This unselfish nature is what led Looney – who has averaged just 5.0 points per game in his career and has 10 career three-pointers to his name – to carve out a long career with a single team. The final year of Looney’s three-year, $22.5 million contract he signed in 2022 is only partially guaranteed next season at $3 million — it becomes fully guaranteed if the Warriors win the title or just before the start of the new league year at the end of June. — which could mean he’s in the middle of his final season with the Warriors.
While he may not have complete control of his future, Looney — who appeared in 512 games with the franchise, the 19th in franchise history — would love to finish his career in Golden State. Udonis Haslem – a similar type of player to Looney, known for his defensive abilities – played a total of 20 seasons with the Miami Heat before retiring last year.
“Definitely, that would be great,” Looney says. “You never know how long you’re going to stay on a team and I’ve been here nine years. But it’s out of my control and you prepare yourself for whatever happens.”
