Warriors' Looney, Poole bond from hometown roots
SAN FRANCISCO >> Jordan Poole stood behind a TV camera Friday night and proudly watched as Kevon Looney gave a postgame interview following a careerbest performance in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals that earned the Warriors center some well-deserved praise.
At the end of the interview, Poole enthusiastically congratulated his “big bro Loon.”
“The little kid in me is so excited, so excited,” an elated Poole said after the heartwarming interaction. “I grew up watching Loon, played against him and to see him do this on the highest stage is just amazing to be part of.
“I don't think people understand how hard it is alone just to be here, and just seeing the professional that he is, the way that he plays, his grit every single day… I'm so happy for him.”
Looney and Poole are four years apart but share a special bond being from Milwaukee, a humble city known for its brews, cheese and butter burgers. The
blue-collar values of their hometown have heavily influenced the way Looney and Poole carry themselves both as people and basketball players.
Poole has looked up to Looney – literally and figuratively – as a youth with big basketball dreams.
Looney was a top recruit of the 2014 class and
played one season at UCLA before the Warriors picked him 30th overall in the NBA 2015 Draft. Poole wasn't as highly touted of a recruit out of high school, but still a notable local standout which earned him the opportunity to play at Michigan.
While the two didn't play with one another
growing up — their paths had crossed on the court at least once, according to Poole — the Milwaukeeans were united in 2019 when the Warriors picked Poole 28th overall in that summer's draft.
Both have had winding careers in the NBA thus far. Looney dealt with a series of injuries that limited
him to just 58 games in his first two seasons. This year, he played the full 82-game slate, making him one of only five NBA players to accomplish that feat.
Meanwhile, Poole had been demoted to the Warriors' G League affiliate in Santa Cruz last season to develop his game.
But their work ethic, often praised by coach Steve Kerr and their teammates, and willingness to accept whatever role is assigned to them helped them remain in the league and get to where they are now as they're two integral pieces in the Warriors' chase for a fourth title in eight years.
Looney had a massive second half breakout, stepping up in place of Draymond Green to help the Warriors' win and take a 2-0 series lead over the
Mavericks. He finished with a career-high 21 points and 12 rebounds for his first double-double of the postseason. It was an encore performance of sorts from Game 6 of the conference semifinals, when Looney grabbed 22 rebounds in the Warriors' series-clinching win over the Grizzlies.
Poole, one of the NBA's biggest breakout stars of the season, also had a big game Friday, going 7-for-10 for 23 points in 29 minutes off the bench. He dished out five assists and added two steals. In his first postseason, Poole is averaging 19.5 points and 4.7 assists in 30.5 minutes primarily coming off the bench.
“Me and JP, it's always fun,” Looney said. “Us being from the same city, to play on a stage like this and have those moments, it's always cool. Just to know growing up, I would never envision I would play with somebody from my city in the Western Conference finals. Moments like that I cherish.”
The feeling is mutual. “I love playing with Loon,” Poole said. “I played against him when I was young, and he had 40, so I'd rather be on his team.”