Warriors Star’s Message To Mike Brown Serves As A Solution For Steve Kerr To End Problems vs Rockets

It all comes down to this, the ultimate test. Even a fight between Batman and Superman would not level up to Game 7 between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets. The season is on the line, and with no extra advantage, head coach Steve Kerr will be looking into every option to be used against Dillon Brooks and co. While Jonathan Kuminga is one underutilized player who might see some minutes in Game 7, Kevon Looney might also be on the list. Why, you ask? Well, it’s because placing faith in the 29-year-old has rewarded the team earlier.

NBA Insiders Anthony Slater and Marcus Thompson recently released another episode of their long-running ‘Warriors Plus Minus’ podcast. With less than 24 hours to go until the Warriors and the Rockets clash at the Toyota Center, the duo was certainly not going to discuss the weather. During the conversation, one of the hosts highlighted that the team needs to go more “bulky”. As the topic of conversation shifted to Kevon Looney, it was discussed how the center/power forward was able to stand out in Game 6 of the iconic Warriors-Grizzlies Conference Semi-Finals of 2021-22.

The host recalled an incident that took place on the plane ride back to Memphis, stating, “Like, I think it was on the plane ride back from Memphis. You’ve got to get Looney in here”. When the second host said “They told Mike Brown”, the first one agreed and continued, “Yeah, Mike Brown. Steve was out with COVID. Like, there’s going to be something like that. I don’t know”. Old is gold, and utilizing an old play may be what the Warriors need.

“I think the choice they have to make is, do they go big to match the big, or do they try to stay small and hope to shoot a lot of it?” said the ‘Warriors Plus Minus’ host. “And it’s going to be, that’s a Kevon Looney question”.

As the San Francisco Chronicle once reported, then acting head coach Mike Brown had sat next to forward Draymond Green and asked for his thoughts on the starting lineup. The conclusion they reached determined that the first unit could benefit from Kevon Looney’s size and toughness. Brown was convinced by Green’s “emphatic explanation” of why the Warriors need Looney. In the end, the player was placed in the rotation, and it yielded amazing results! Looney recorded a whopping 22 rebounds to go along with his 4 points and 5 assists. The rebounds were the most from a Warriors player in a playoff game, since Larry Smith secured 23 in a Game 5 loss to the Lakers back in the 1987 Western Conference semifinals. If worked upon it, and given a chance, then that feat could be replicated to give the Bay Area squad an edge.

Apr 13, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) warms up before the game between the Golden State Warriors and the LA Clippers at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

As highlighted by NBA reporter Ryan Diamond, “Offensive rebounding has been key for Houston all series, and it will be even more so in Game 7”. Warriors taking an early chance won’t work if the Rockets simply use second-chance points. Since Houston is the larger team, and is led by players like Alperen Şengün and Steven Adams on the glass, Stephen Curry and co. need their big men. This would be among the best excuses to use a 6-foot-9 star like Loone.

If the 29-year-old is to be used for the crucial game, however, then he will have to be brought up to speed. After all, Looney only averaged 6.1 rebounds in the recent regular season. Fortunately, if anyone can get the player back on track, it is Steve Kerr. After all, he was the one who finally got Looney to make a shot far from the paint.

Kevon Looney revealed that Steve Kerr motivated him to make the first 3-pointer since 2021

Back in late March, Kevon Looney did something no one expected him to. He made a 3-pointer! Sure, the player’s shooting situation wasn’t as bad as Shaquille O’Neal’s (no one is). However, the last 3-pointer he had made before this one was back on March 19th, 2021! A shot that sent everyone from the commentators to the players sitting courtside had to have a background behind it. It certainly did, as the player revealed he wouldn’t have made the shot if Steve Kerr hadn’t made him the main man to focus on.

“About time I got one up,” said Looney jokingly after Sunday’s game. “Steve finally drew up a play for me, so I had to shoot it. He drew it up for me, (and) he asked me, Did I want one? I said, ‘Yeah.’”

KEVON LOONEY 3 pic.twitter.com/6J58C5USUg

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 31, 2025

Steve Kerr created a miracle for his player back then. He can do it again. Whether Kevon Looney does end up in the rotation is something that remains to be seen.

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