They weren’t booing. They were saying Loooooooooon.
On Thursday night, Kevon Looney didn’t get the “M-V-P!” chants like he did from the Chase Center crowd in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. But Dub Nation sure showed the Warriors center a lot of love in Game 5, as he recorded a 10-point, 18-rebound double-double in the 120-110 series-clinching win.
It was reminiscent of his Game 6 performance to close out the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round, when he pulled down a career-high 22 rebounds as part of a 70-board night from Golden State. Looney said he relishes the opportunity to be a closer in the playoffs.
“That's the goal,” Looney said after the game. “That's my job, to go out there, rebound. When it's time to close the series out, it's always going to be tougher. You want to up your game. That's one area I can really affect the game and make a difference in. Tonight I did a good job.”
There’s no doubt Looney was a difference-maker all series.
Looney dominated Dallas inside, with 10.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 28 minutes per game while shooting 70.6 percent from the field. He also made Dwight Powell a non factor, as the Mavs forward averaged just 1.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 9.8 minutes per game.
It’s been a banner year for Looney, who was one of five NBA players to appear in all 82 games this season. He set out the 82-game goal before the season, a huge personal accomplishment considering the hip, nerve and stomach problems he endured his first few seasons in the league.
Drafted in 2015, following the current dynasty’s first championship, Looney is set to appear in his third career Finals. He didn’t get minutes in the 2016 and 2017 championship round, but he’s a two-time champ who averaged 20.8 minutes per game in the 2019 Finals against the Toronto Raptors.
“Klay missing two years, coming back halfway through the season, is special,” Looney said. “Our first time doing it in Chase. A lot of different things that make this one special this year. Every year it's a different feeling, always special. For not making the Playoffs the last two years, come back, make it to the Finals, it's a hell of a run.”
Looney has taken his lumps from fans for his lack of athleticism over the years, but has always been a favorite inside the building. He’s overshadowed by Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala in Warriors lore, but Looney has grown into a key contributor this season. Especially in the playoffs, where his production has spiked in big moments.
Beyond the numbers, Looney covers for Draymond when he goes rogue on defense, sets screens in the right place at the right time, and does other dirty work that’s required to win a game. Not to mention he was the team's lone healthy traditional center all year as James Wiseman's second season was wiped out due to injury.
The 26-year-old is set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer and is driving up his price tag from the $5.2 million he made this season. Golden State has luxury tax concerns, but you have to think they’d like to keep him around for the near future.
There’s time for that conversation later, though. The Finals start on Thursday in San Francisco.
“For our team, our guys, especially the core group, Dray and Steph, Klay, Loon, Andre, to be part of that six times in eight years, I don't even know what to say,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “It just takes an enormous amount of skill and determination and work. I couldn't be prouder of our guys.”
