RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesKevon Looney has a chance to become an underrated but key addition to the Los Angeles Lakers ' roster. The No. 30 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, he spent his first 10 seasons with the Golden State Warriors, where he won three championships and made a living as an undersized but high-motor center who gobbled up boards, played effective defense, set screens and did the dirty work.
He just completed a bit of a down year with the New Orleans Pelicans , where he played in just 21 games and saw his shooting percentage plunge. Lakers fans feel he won't be an adequate backup center, especially if starter Walker Kessler suffers an injury, but if Looney is still spry, he could surprise some people.
During a recent appearance on the "Mason & Ireland Show) on ESPN 710 AM L.A. radio, Looney talked about how difficult it is to play against new teammate Luka Doncic and how he's looking forward to learning how to make things easier on the superstar.
“Playing against him sucks, especially being a big man,” Looney said on Mason & Ireland on ESPN LA Radio. “You’re in a lot of pick-and-rolls, you’re getting iso’d, he picks on people and you gotta guard him 1-on-1 and he’s probably the toughest guy to guard 1-on-1 in the league. Got to compete against him on the Lakers and in the playoffs when he was in Dallas.
“I’m excited to be on his team, be able to learn from him, be able to play pick-and-roll with him. He’s probably the best pick-and-roll player in the league so being able to learn how he wants me to set screens and different things like that I’m excited about it. He’s one of the best guys in the league and it makes my life a lot easier playing with him so I’m super excited.”
Doncic spent this past season alongside centers Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes, neither of whom is known as an effective screen setter. Now, he will play some minutes next to Looney, who does set screens well and seems to embrace being a lunch-pail player.
Looney has career averages of 4.9 points and 5.7 rebounds in 17.1 minutes a game. He and Kessler should make sure Los Angeles improves in the rebounding department this coming season after finishing last season 12th in overall rebounding percentage, 24th in offensive rebounding percentage and 28th in second-chance points.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Kevon Looney on why it's tough to play against Luka Doncic
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