Kevon Looney spoke candidly about his feelings surrounding his departure from the Golden State Warriors after signing a two-year contract with the New Orleans Pelicans last week. During an appearance on the Warriors Plus/Minus podcast with Marcus Thompson II, Looney detailed the frustration he experienced with certain rotation decisions made by Warriors coach Steve Kerr, especially involving the preference for rookie Quinten Post over him in crucial playoff moments.
Looney explained that it was not a single moment that led to his disappointment but a series of decisions that made it seem like the team trusted everyone except him. He said,
“I guess, I wouldn’t say it like that, but it was anybody but me it seemed like at this point. It wasn’t no one moment. Even this year, probably the playoffs. We going up against Steven Adams. This is what I do. They’re not really giving me the chance to really let me do what I do.”
This comment illustrates his struggle to find consistent playing time during critical rebound battles.
Limited Minutes During Crucial Playoff Games
In the seven-game playoff series against the Houston Rockets, Looney played an average of just 9.3 minutes per game. His playing time reached a low in Game 6, when he saw only two minutes as the Warriors fought to avoid elimination. Meanwhile, Quinten Post was given a larger role, averaging 17 minutes in the same series. This disparity in court time added to Looney’s growing sense of mistrust regarding the coaching staff’s faith in his abilities.
“It’s like, ‘All right, y’all don’t trust me? I thought y’all trusted me.’ They put me at the end in Game 7, it’s like why’d we have to wait for that point?”
Looney expressed, highlighting the emotional toll of feeling sidelined during pivotal games.
Decade of Dedication and Increasing Doubts
Looney’s commitment to the Warriors spanned a decade, during which he believed he had proven himself repeatedly. However, that trust seemed to erode over time, breeding frustration.
“Nah, you get sick of that at some point,”
he told Thompson II.
“When you prove yourself the first four, five years, all right, cool. But after 10 years of it, it’s like, all right. You either trust me or you don’t.”
This statement reveals his weariness with feeling undervalued despite years of consistent performance.
Understanding the Team’s Approach
Despite the disappointment, Looney recognizes that Steve Kerr’s decisions were motivated by the goal of winning rather than personal feelings.
“I just know it’s never personal with Steve,”
he said.
“He’s going to do whatever is best to try to win. It ain’t just me. He’s done this to everybody. I might’ve been the one it was happening to the most because I was here the longest. I know it’s not personal. He just wants to win.”
Looney also appreciated the difficult choices coaches make for success.
“You can’t be mad because the results showed that. It usually worked. You talk about sacrifice and win, he’s going to really test that sacrifice part,”
he added, acknowledging the demanding nature of championship-level basketball.
Legacy and Future Beyond the Warriors
Although his time with the Warriors has ended, Looney’s contributions to the franchise will not be forgotten by fans and the organization. As a veteran with ten years in the NBA, he understands the business aspect of the league and remains respectful of the team’s direction. Moving forward with the Pelicans, Looney aims to prove himself once more, while Dub Nation continues to regard him as a key figure in their recent championship successes.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What condition does Kevon Looney have?
A. Looney, able to handle his neuropathy pain, participated in every one of the 82 regular-season games. He started in 80 games, which was a personal record. He also achieved his best averages, spending 21.1 minutes on the court and collecting 7.3 rebounds per game.
Q. Why does Kevon Looney wear a mask?
A. According to the Warriors’ recent injury report, Kevon Looney broke his nose. Despite this, he’ll still play against the Suns tomorrow wearing a face mask.