Warriors’ Kerr on Looney: ‘One of the best centers in the league’

NBA PLAYOFFS

Only Warrior in last 5 decades with 10-plus offensive rebounds in multiple playoff starts

The Golden State Warriors’ Kevon Looney (5) grabs a rebound and makes the basket against the Sacramento Kings in the fourth quarter of Game 7 of a first-round playoff series at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sunday. The Warriors defeated the Kings 120-100. JOSE CARLOS FAJARDO — BAY AREA NEWS GROUP

Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) tries to save a ball from going out of bounds during the first half of Game 7 of a first-round playoff series against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday in Sacramento. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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By Madeline Kenney

Bay Area News Group

SACRAMENTO >> Steve Kerr doesn’t think Kevon Looney gets enough credit.

So after the Warriors’ series-clinching win on Sunday, the coach gave an unprompted shoutout to Golden State’s fierce iron man.

“Kevon Looney just keeps doing it every game,” Kerr said before he opened his postgame press conference to questions from reporters. “Loon is one of the best centers in the league. And people don’t recognize it because he’s not dunking and shooting 3s and all that stuff. This guy is a flat-out winner and he’s a machine. And we wouldn’t be here without him.”

Everyone will remember Game 7 of the Warriors’ first-round series against the Sacramento Kings for Stephen Curry’s 50-point masterpiece. But Looney deserves an award for best supporting actor in the 120-100 win that sent the Warriors into the Western Conference semifinals.

Looney had 21 rebounds and 11 points Sunday and dominated the offensive glass, especially during a third-quarter stretch that turned the game in the Warriors’ favor. Of his 10 offensive rebounds, seven came in a seven-minute span that turned a 58-56 halftime deficit into a 73-64 Warriors’ lead.

Looney’s tenacious rebounding helped stifle the Kings’ offense. It also caused distress among Kings fans inside Golden 1 Center.

Looney said he could “definitely” sense the Sacramento crowd’s frustration.

“That’s what makes it fun,” Looney said. “To do all that hard work, pushing and shoving, getting hit with elbows and things like that… [to] be able to get extra possession for your team and see them make a shot and change momentum, it’s a great feeling. I know it helps us win. So I live for those moments, I like doing it.”

After the Warriors failed to close out the series in Game 6 at Chase Center, Looney said he knew he needed to be more aggressive on defense and snatching rebounds.

“For me, I just wanted to go out there and be more physical, play with more energy and make sure I execute the game plan,” he said.

Looney did that, and the Warriors survived to play another round. The next challenge facing Looney? One of the NBA’s best big men in Anthony Davis.

The Warriors hadn’t discussed their upcoming matchup against Davis, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers before speaking with reporters after the game. They’re set for a lengthy film session Monday before the series kicks off Tuesday at Chase Center.

Looney believes his mindset of being physical and cleaning the glass shouldn’t change.

“Whenever we are able to keep the possession battle close or win a possession battle, we’re really tough to beat. We have some of the best scorers in the game. And so whenever we played well in that area, we usually win,” said Looney, the only Warriors player in the last five decades to record multiple playoff games with 10-plus offensive rebounds. “A lot of games that we lost in this series we lost the possession battle pretty handily. So for me, I just wanted to make sure get us extra possessions, set the tone with rebounding, physicality and I think I did a good job with that.”

Kerr did, too, hence the high praise.

“I play to win, my role is… rebound, set screens, do the small things and defend,” Looney said. “I just try to be the best in my role and hopefully when I’m doing that it helps our team win. So it’s a great compliment but [I’m going to] keep performing, keep doing my job and hopefully we keep winning.”