Kevon Looney, who has spent his entire eight-year NBA career with the Golden State Warriors, has become a cherished figure in the league. His journey from a rookie in the G-League to a valuable part of championship-winning teams is a testament to his resilience and the unwavering support of his coach, Steve Kerr.
Looney’s relationship with Kerr is one he considers “truly special.” Kerr believed in him when others may not have, especially during challenging times like injuries. Kerr provided Looney with opportunities to prove himself and instilled trust in his abilities. The coach’s unwavering faith, even when Looney doubted himself, has forged a deep level of respect between them.
“I have a great relationship with Coach. You know, he believed in me when a lot of the fans and even other training staff and players maybe didn’t. He gave me an opportunity when I probably didn’t deserve it when I was coming off injury and had a lot to prove. He always had a lot of trust in me and put me in spots where I had to either sink or swim, Luckily, I found a little bit of success early on and was able to earn more trust. I think he believed in me and what I could do when I didn’t even believe in myself, so I truly have a special level of respect for him. Coach Kerr is always there to give us advice and even outside of basketball, he’s someone we can count on. When I was dealing with being injured and going through that dark time, he was always someone I could talk to about life”. : Looney told ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel of Kerr.
Beyond basketball, Kerr has been a source of guidance and support for Looney in life’s ups and downs. Their bond goes beyond the court, with Kerr sharing his own experiences from his early coaching days in the NBA. Looney values this connection and considers Kerr not just a coach but someone he can turn to both professionally and personally.
Kerr, known for his player praise, speaks of Looney with the same reverence usually reserved for iconic team players like Stephen Curry and Tim Duncan. He acknowledges Looney’s immense respect within the team, highlighting his consistent professionalism, work ethic, and basketball intelligence.
As the Warriors aim for their fifth title in a decade, Looney is confident in the team’s potential to triumph. The strong bond between him and Kerr is a vital component of the team’s chemistry and unity, factors that can propel them to championship success once again.
