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Paul crosses up his opponent and sinks an open jumper. Paul attacks the basket and converts on an easy shot. Or Paul draws a whistle so he can score at the foul line. When Paul went up against Warriors third-year forward Kevon Looney on Thursday, however, none of those scenarios played out. Instead, officials penalized Paul with an offensive foul. The play marked one of many examples in which Looney was in the right place at the right time in the Warriors’ 124-114 victory over the Houston Rockets on Thursday.
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“I was surprised. I usually get no calls,” Looney said, smiling. “When he tried to hook me, I tried to get my hands out of there. So I wouldn’t get a foul and get yelled at. It went my way this time.”
Not only did things go Looney’s way when he drew a charge, as the Warriors nursed a 113-105 lead with 4:47 left in the game. Things went Looney’s way for nearly the entire game.
Looney posted seven points on 3-of-4 shooting and eight rebounds in 15 minutes. With Warriors rookie forward Jordan Bell and second-year guard/forward Patrick McCaw falling for Paul’s pumpfakes, Warriors coach Steve Kerr gave Looney an increased role because of his superior discipline and understanding of the team’s schemes. And Looney did all of this, despite sitting out the past two games because of a healthy scratch and appearing in mop-up duty in five games before that.
To view the latest podcast on your mobile device click here . So even with the Warriors leaning on Stephen Curry (29 points), Klay Thompson (28), Draymond Green (17 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists) and more to absorb Kevin Durant’s absence from a strained right calf, Kerr entered the locker room afterwards and singled out Looney specifically for his play. Afterwards, Kerr said Looney “was an amazing example of being a professional is about in this league.”
“He came in and made a huge difference on a night we really needed it,” Kerr said. “It’s hard to explain how important that is for a team to have somebody like Looney who can be professional.”
Green explained it well, though, amid the Warriors declining to exercise Looney’s fourth-year option in October because his $2.2 million salary would have increased the team’s luxury tax bill.
“I’m very proud; he’s a pro. I think he’s earned minutes throughout the course of this year. For his option not to be picked up, he stayed the course and played the way that he’s played,” Green said. “Whether it’s here or somewhere else, he’s earned himself a job to stay in this league. To be inactive a few days ago and come out and play this game and the way that he played, it was huge. I’m extremely proud of him.”
Looney could not help but feel proud when Kerr praised him in front of his teammates.
“It’s great. When you do good, it’s always great to hear from your coach,” Looney said. “It was pretty good to get oiut there and make contributions. I’ve been working hard. To see that work pay off is good.”
Looney’s hard work paid of in different ways.
On one play, Looney disrupted an entry pass to Houston center Clint Capela before stuffing him at the rim. On another play, Looney forced Paul to alter his shot that wound up in a miss. And on a few other plays, Looney converted off of putbacks and open dunks. Most importantly, Looney provided enough of a defensive presence to slow down the Rockets from scoring a few baskets, at least enough for the Warriors to score more than them.
“I always stay ready. There’s always a chance I’ll get in the game,” Looney said. “So I’ll be ready and know the personnel. When you’re called upon, be ready.”
