Golden State Warriors’ Kevon Looney was never considered a true NBA star, but he was a very valuable player.
He’s played for the last three championship teams, and has been a regular fixture in the team’s lineup for the past five years or so.
Looney gradually raised his game and, during the regular season, achieved career highs in points per game (7.0), rebounds per game (9.3), assists per game (2.5), and shooting percentage (63.0).
Through the first three games of Golden State’s first-round series against the Sacramento Kings, he led everyone in offensive rebounds, just as he did in the regular season and in the playoffs last year.
Kevon Looney:
– First place in offensive rebounds this season
– First place in offensive rebounds in the last qualifiers
– First place in offensive rebounds these qualifiersMonster. pic.twitter.com/3K74stQvsm
– StatMuse (statmuse) April 21, 2023
Looney has been a full-time starter for the Warriors the last two seasons, playing larger than his listed height of 6-foot-9 or his listed weight of 222 pounds.
The UCLA product is a key part of their success with its ability to land them extra possessions, install solid screens, and run buzz.
He is the classic player whose contributions and value go far beyond his stats.
After losing Game 1 and Game 2 in Sacramento, the Warriors got on the board with a 114-97 win in Game 3, even without Draymond Green, who was suspended after he stomped on Domantas Sabonis.
Looney helped make up for Green’s absence with 20 rebounds, nine from the offensive glass, and nine assists.
If the Warriors are going to make it back to the NBA Finals, Looney is going to have to keep playing the best ball of his life, as they’re going to have to traverse some scary frontlines to get there.
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