Kevon Looney has proven he can step up in big games.
Once considered little more than a big that could eat up minutes with limited mistakes, Looney has blossomed into one of the best rebounders in the NBA.
Though often a starter on the Warriors’ Kevin Durant-era championship teams, Looney gained newfound respect throughout the league last postseason, after a couple incredible rebounding performances. Looney’s 22 rebounds in the closeout game vs. Memphis and 18 in the closeout game vs. the Dallas Mavericks.
Looney stepped up big again on Thursday, gobbling 20 rebounds, including nine offensive, while fighting with Domantas Sabonis who had 18 himself. It wasn’t in a closeout game, but it might have well been, considering the chances of coming back from a 3-0 hole are remote.
“He’s relentless,” Stephen Curry said postgame.
The humble Looney wouldn’t go that far when talking about himself, but admitted that something felt a little different for him on Thursday.
“You know, sometimes in rebounding, you can get in the zone,” Looney said. “Just how Steph and them go, as a rebounder it’s the same way sometimes, like I know where the ball is going and every time I touch it, it seems to go my way, tips go my way , and different things like that.”
It’s possible that the amount that Looney is working on the boards, especially on the offensive end, is having an effect on Sabonis offensively. Or maybe it’s just Looney doing an excellent job as a defender as well. Sabonis scored just 15 points and committed six turnovers, his second subpar offensive effort in three games.
But it Looney wasn’t just incredible on the boards and defensively, he also took over the playmaking responsibilities from the injured Draymond Green, leading the team with nine assists. Many of those came from his offensive rebounds, and some came from passes he made as the roll man with a ballhandler.
“It’s huge because it’s the pattern of basketball at any level,” Curry said. “Offensive rebounds are usually, once you get the possession, there’s going to be somebody open because everybody is kind of scattered.
“It’s just a great look for us to create good offense and then a second chance, everybody is kind of in rhythm and you’re stepping in. It’s like what the game kind of calls for, and you knock them down.”
Looney’s line on Thursday isn’t just an example of how his rebounding and playmaking are connected, but how he has made himself into more than a serviceable NBA player without traditional big man skills. Due to his multiple hip surgeries, Looney is not able to elevate much above the rim despite his size. He and the coaching staff have figured out a way to use that to his advantage.
“When you first come into the league, usually when you get an offensive rebound, you are taught to just go back up and try to get your own points,” Looney said. “But I remember Ron Adams kept yelling at me to kick it out, we have Steph Curry and Klay on our team, pass it to them. And it’s been working for me and gives them a lot of opportunities to give them open shots.”
At 27 years old, Looney has turned into an absolutely crucial member of the Warriors core and is evolving into a big time playoff performer.