In a candid pregame press conference ahead of Saturday’s matchup against his former team, longtime Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney opened up about the bittersweet end to his decade-long tenure in the Bay Area. Now with the New Orleans Pelicans, Looney acknowledged that toward the end of his Warriors career, he sometimes felt overlooked as he fell out of coach Steve Kerr’s NBA playoff rotation.
“It wasn’t really difficult,” Looney said, addressing Bay Area reporters. “Steve is the guy that changes lineups, and you kind of have to wait on your opportunity, and he does it to anybody on the team. He just wants to win. He puts the best lineups out there just to win games. And so, it was a real frustration. I kind of know how he thinks, and I know what he’s trying to do.”
The competitive edge in Looney wanted him on the court, helping against postseason matchups he had handled for years. But he understands the reasoning behind Kerr’s decisions and doesn’t hold resentment.
“As a player, you see the matchups, and you just want something bad to get out there, to leave an impact,” Looney explained. “It was more along that line, but it was no hard feelings. You know, 10 years, I had a lot of great memories. More great than bad. There were times when I probably didn’t deserve the opportunity, and the coaching staff put me out there, so it kind of all balances out.”
The conversation comes months after Looney expressed his frustration more openly in July during a podcast with The Athletic, reflecting on the lack of trust he sometimes felt in playoff rotations. “I guess,” Looney said, “it was anybody but me it seemed like at this point. It wasn’t one moment—it was probably the playoffs. 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. It’s like, ‘All right, y’all don’t trust me? I thought y’all trusted me.’”
Despite the frustrations, Looney’s decade with Golden State is defined by his consistency, relentless rebounding, and leadership in the locker room. Anchoring the Warriors’ frontcourt during three NBA championships, he earned respect as both a player and a teammate, a legacy that far outweighs any disappointment in his final season.
“It’s all love—they guys are like my family,” Looney said. “When I come back here, all I think about is all the winning we did.”
Looney signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans in June, stepping into a new role on a young roster, but his Warriors chapter remains indelible. Three rings, countless memories, and a reputation as one of the franchise’s most respected voices ensure that Golden State—and its fans—will not forget Kevon Looney anytime soon.
Saturday’s matchup will be more than just another game; it’s a reunion, a reminder of Looney’s impact in the Bay Area, and a testament to the complex emotions that come with leaving a team where you’ve spent your prime.
Leave a Reply