NBA Finals: Kevon Looney’s rebounding can give Warriors plenty of second chances against Boston Celtics
SAN FRANCISCO — Shaun Livingston was about to announce the winner of the inaugural Magic Johnson Western Conference finals MVP award when the Chase Center crowd broke out in a chorus of sounds that sounded like boos.Before the series’ scoring leader Steph Curry stepped up to accept the award, Warriors fans wanted it known that Kevon Looney’s effort to help usher Golden State to the NBA finals was MVP-like, too.
That fan respect took root during Looney’s injury-plagued years that hid the talent that emerged as he became one of the most impactful centers in these playoffs since starting Game 6 against the Memphis Grizzlies. Against a physical, gritty Boston Celtics team in the finals, Looney’s propensity for the dirty work could give the Warriors a much-needed edge.
Beating the Grizzlies on the boards, for example, both stifled Memphis’ lethal transition attack and gave the Warriors plenty of second-chance scoring opportunities. Getting as many second-chance opportunities against a Celtics team that boasts a 106.9 defensive rating — tied for tops in the NBA with the Warriors’ this season — could spark a Warriors’ offense dragged into Boston’s muddy defense.
“Rebounding is something that I always enjoyed,” Looney said. “Just getting down in the paint and getting physical and doing the dirty work. Once I found I can have a niche in the league doing that, I found that I can help our team win games and it’s my best way to make an impact on the offensive end. Get the extra possession, so that’s something I wanted to hone in on.”
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