The Golden State Warriors faced a significant moment when Kevon Looney decided to leave the team after spending a decade with them. This development, coming a year after Klay Thompson’s move to the Dallas Mavericks, marked the end of an era for loyal players many, including Stephen Curry, expected to retire as Warriors. Despite this, Curry has expressed a positive outlook regarding Looney’s Warriors departure, recognizing it as part of the evolving nature of the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA.
Kevon Looney’s Decade with the Warriors and Key Contributions
Kevon Looney was rarely the flashiest player on the court, but his consistency and reliability made him a vital asset for the Warriors. Over ten years, he contributed significantly, particularly during the Warriors’ 2022 championship run where his performance in the second-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies was notably influential. After a strong tenure, Looney chose to begin a new chapter by signing a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Stephen Curry’s Perspective on Departures from Golden State
With Looney and Thompson gone, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are now the two remaining players from the Warriors’ last four championship teams. Reflecting on Looney’s departure, Curry shared his acceptance of these changes as an inevitable part of professional basketball. In an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area & California, Curry said,
“It’s always tough and kind of heart-wrenching when you lose a guy that’s been part of winning at the highest level, that’s been a part of building our success and culture.” —Stephen Curry, Warriors Star
The Family-Like Bonds Built Over Years in Golden State
Spending ten years with one team is uncommon in today’s NBA, which often prioritizes individual opportunity over long-term loyalty. This dynamic challenges players and organizations alike to maintain strong bonds. Curry noted the rarity of Golden State’s ability to retain a core group of players while resisting this ‘me-first’ mentality. He expressed pride in how the team maintained its unity for many years despite these pressures.
“Klay, like you said, Loon, those guys are instrumental in me being who I am, Draymond being who he is. But it’s more positive in the sense that we held it together for a very long time. We held off the nature of the NBA, and that’s a big deal,”
—Stephen Curry, Warriors Star
Rare Continuity Amid Increasing NBA Parity
It is increasingly uncommon for multiple players from the same championship team to stay together for an extended period. The Warriors’ experience, with four players remaining from their championship runs over the years, stands as an anomaly in today’s league. This contrasts with recent trends in the NBA, where the last seven champions have all been different teams, demonstrating a growing parity within the sport. Such sustained continuity among players like Curry, Green, and formerly Looney, is a milestone unlikely to be repeated soon.