Healthy Looney emerging as key to scheme at center
SAN FRANCISCO >> As the first preseason game nears, the Warriors coaching staff has started to settle on an early rotation at center.
On Wednesday, head coach Steve Kerr said Kevon Looney will “probably” start Saturday in the Warriors’ preseason opener against the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center.
With rookie James Wiseman and Draymond Green scratched from the first three days of training camp after both tested positive for the coronavirus, Kerr has slotted Looney onto the “Blue” team alongside other starters Stephen Curry, Kelly Oubre Jr., Andrew Wiggins and Eric Paschall (filling in for Green).
“He’s feeling excellent,” Kerr said of Looney, who was limited to just 20 of 65 possible games last season due to various injuries and a neuropathic condition in his body. “So that’s a huge sign for us, to have somebody who we know we can count on in a big situation.”
Added Looney: “I feel great. It’s the best I’ve felt in a long time.”
This is an encouraging sign for Looney, who has struggled with health issues most of his NBA career. In five seasons, only once has he played in more than 66 games. Those injuries could have derailed Looney’s development but, instead, he blossomed into a dependable defender who routinely played his best in the playoffs. Last summer, he signed a three-year, $15 million contract.
It’s not a secret that Kerr has an affinity for Looney, and often points to the 24-year- old’s maturity, mental toughness and willingness to accept coaching.
“Loon is a really great example of organizational development and personal strength, strength of character, given what he’s had to overcome to get to this point,” Kerr said.
But Looney said who starts isn’t as important a question to him as who finishes. Over the years, Kerr has routinely changed his starting center game to game based on matchups. The ultimate nod of confidence is not being named a starter, but a closer.
“Starting really hasn’t been a big thing for me,” Looney said. “I always want to be able to finish a game or play at the end.”
According to Looney, the Warriors coaching staff has encouraged the centers to shoot 3-pointers this season, with an emphasis on spacing the floor for wings such as Wiggins and Oubre to cut to the basket. Looney said he feels comfortable stretching beyond the 3-point line, and is best shooting from the corners.
Backing up Looney will be Marquese Chriss and Wiseman. Kerr trusts Chriss, who emerged as the team’s starting center last season, to play big minutes in important stretches. Wiseman, meanwhile, has watched the past two days of training camp from a balcony overlooking the practice court.
These workouts would have been valuable for the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft as the Warriors aim to bring him along slowly. Not having time in training camp could result in fewer minutes early in the season. Once Green returns, he will also see minutes at center in smallball lineups.
“We’re fine at the five,” Kerr said. “We’ve got two very capable players. And then once those guys are back we’ll have a lot of options.”
With two days left of training camp, Looney is starting to see how the pieces are coming together for Golden State.
“We’re long and we’re fast, and the energy is a lot different than in years prior,” Looney said. “This group has a lot of young guys with a chip on their shoulder, something to prove, and so you can feel it in practice.”
After the Warriors’ first preseason game Saturday, they will wrap up the preseason with games against the Kings in Sacramento on Dec. 15 and Dec. 17. They open the regular season against the Nets in Brooklyn on Dec. 22.
A WIN FOR THE BACKUPS >> Wednesday was the first time the “White” team, including projected reserves
Brad Wanamaker, Jordan Poole, Kent Bazemore, Damion Lee and Chriss, beat the “Blue” team.
“It was probably a good slap in the face for the starters,” Kerr said. GETTING IN SHAPE >> Conditioning is a big focus of training camp every year, and even more so this year after most of Golden State’s players haven’t played in nine months. On Day 3, Kerr noted the players are “getting our wind.”
He added that some of the things that need cleaning up are turnovers, transition defense and chemistry on offense.
MULDER’S SHOT >> According to Kerr, guard Mychal Mulder has “a good chance” at making the 15man roster. In seven games for Golden State last season, Mulder made an impression on the coaching staff and signed a non-guaranteed contract for this season.
“I’m a big fan of Mychal,” Kerr said. “He’s a shooter, he’s a smart player at both ends, and we were really pleased with his play a year ago.”
Mulder’s shooting, in particular, could help him land a roster spot. Though he made just 30.8% of his 3-point attempts last season, he made nearly 40% of his 3-point attempts in 39 G League games. The loss of Klay Thompson to a season- ending Achilles tear helps Mulder’s case.
“He had a good day today,” Kerr said. “Knocked down some shots, made some good plays.”