© Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
OAKLAND — Warriors forward Kevon Looney entered the 2017 season amid a pivotal time of his career. Hip injuries derailed his first two seasons, and he struggled to consistently break into Golden State’s deep rotation.
Looking to bury his injuries in the past, Looney attacked offseason workouts, ready for a breakthrough.
“(Training camp) was when we would go through a lot of practices,” Looney said after Tuesday night’s 92-81 loss to the visiting Indiana Pacers. “I really wasn’t feeling sore the next day; I was feeling good and felt confident. So, after that it was pretty much behind me, and I knew it was going to be a good season for me.”
Looney showed flashes early in the season, most noticeably on the defensive end, where he is used his length and athleticism to disrupt offensive players of all molds. In the month of March, however, Looney has played the best basketball of his career, a byproduct of increased minutes with each of the Warriors’ four All-Stars sidelined for multiple games.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has always seen the potential in Looney, whom Golden State selected with the 30th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. It was only a matter of whether Looney’s body would allow him to blossom.
“Mainly being healthy, I think was the biggest thing, and he lost some weight,” Kerr said. “It’s the first season he has had in his three years where he has been healthy and had confidence in his body and his ability to play night after night. He has had a great year.”
Looney played arguably his most complete game on Tuesday night. He produced a career-high 11 rebounds, eight points, two assists, one steal, and two blocks in 28 minutes. He was effective defensively and active in offensive rebounding situations.
One play that encapsulates his growing confidence came with fewer than four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter on Tuesday night, with the Warriors trailing by nine points. Looney caught a pass on the perimeter, released without hesitation, and drilled his first three-pointer of the season.
Looney from downtown! Warriors down 6 in the 4th pic.twitter.com/VwsIxCyY2I
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 28, 2018
There is no telling how important the recently increased playing time for Golden State’s role players could become when it matters most. Looney could see meaningful postseason minutes, depending on particular matchups and whether Zaza Pachulia and Javale McGee produce.
“It’s been a lot of fun, but (I) can’t wait to get these other guys back,” Looney said. “But it’s given me confidence to know I can play with these guys on the court. I can make plays, and everybody has more trust in each other.”