Without a doubt, Kevon Looney, a star rebounder for the Warriors and the ideal teammate, has the potential to go down in history as one of their greatest players.
The fifth 20-rebound game of his NBA playoff career last year is the clearest example of his influence on Golden State’s triumph. But what factors throughout the years have enabled Looney to achieve such success on the glass?
It requires a lot of work. In the Philippines on Wednesday, Looney and Klay Thompson discussed the Anta Squad Asia Tour at the Peninsula Manila hotel. Looney remarked, “You’ve got to be relentless. “You need to get to know your shooters and your teammates. Knowing your offense is important, and it helps a lot.
Therefore, studying requires a lot of time. You need to identify what makes you a great rebounder, what makes you unique, and the physical qualities you can use. It can be difficult to practice at times. I’m not the best at leaping, but I am skilled in using my arms and torso. I have some of the best shooters in the world, so I am aware of where they will miss and where the ball will be. I apply everything I’ve learned from studying, seeing them shoot after practice, and learning about them on the court.
Looney contributed to the Warriors’ victory over the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the playoffs last year, grabbing 20 or more rebounds in three of the seven games. By doing so, he became one of only two Warriors with multiple games of at least 20 rebounds in a single postseason series, including Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain and Nate Thurmond.
This occurred only a year after his 22-rebound performance in the 2022 Western Conference Semifinals, which enabled Golden State to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies in six games. Looney also recorded 23 board grabs in Game 1 of the 2023 semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers.
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The 6-foot-9 center has overcome injuries throughout his career to smash and bang beneath the rim as part of an often-small lineup, giving the Warriors the manual labor needed to sustain an NBA dynasty behind the accurate shooting of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson for Golden State.
Every time Looney gets on the court, it’s clear how much time and attention he puts into his craft, and Dub Nation is undoubtedly appreciative of it.
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