The Golden State Warriors are going to be without a core member of the dynasty next season. Kevon Looney has signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. Looney, who spent 10 seasons in the Bay, went from being a bench warmer to a key piece during three championship runs.
Looney will forever be a fan favorite in Golden State. He was always the perfect professional. Whether he was playing clutch minutes guarding James Harden on a switch or getting DNPs after falling out of Steve Kerr’s rotation, he was always the same. Steady and ready.
For that and much more, the Bay Area is forever thankful for Looney.
And Looney is thankful for the Bay. Looney decided to write an article for The Players Tribune to show his appreciation for the team and city that “truly changed my life forever”.
“How do you say goodbye to a place that practically raised you in a lot of ways? A place that saw you go from a boy to a man? A place where you’ve made so many lifelong friends and experienced some of the best times imaginable?
I have so much to be grateful and appreciative for over the past 10 years. This place, it’s truly changed my life forever.”
Warriors fans saw Looney grow up before their eyes—something extremely rare in today’s NBA.
“I hope you all know. Truly. Everyone in the Bay, and Warriors fans around the world.
Because these past 10 years have been more than I ever could have dreamed of.”
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So while it hurts to see Looney leave Golden State, Warriors fans will forever be rooting for him wherever he goes. He earned that. And, after a year or two away, Looney wants to come back, like Andre Iguodala, the Warriors would welcome him with open arms.
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