Dub Hub, Daily Warriors Links for 12/20/22: Kevon Looney provides consistency to a Warriors team in dire need of it

Good Morning Dub Nation,

The Golden State Warriors longest road trip of the season approaches its end in the next two days with a pair of back-to-back games against the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. The Warriors are 1-3 during this road trip, and in general, they have struggled to find any consistency in games away from the Chase Center this entire season.

Although consistency has been hard to find for a Warriors team fluctuating around the .500 mark, one player who has been consistent this season is Golden State center Kevon Looney. He is the team’s stabilizing force, appearing in 163 consecutive games for the Dubs while thriving on the court with career-high averages in points, rebounds, assists, and minutes played. Our very own Brady Klopfer put it best in his Player Grades article for the Warriors’ game against the Toronto Raptors.

28 minutes, 11 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 3 fouls, 4-for-7 shooting, 3-for-3 free throws, 66.1% TS, +12

Another double-double for Looney! He’s playing perhaps the best basketball of his life, and he’s doing it in every phase. He’s scoring more than ever before, rebounding like a beast, defending very, and passing the ball exceptionally well.

Just a joy to watch.

Grade: A

Post-game bonus: Led the team in rebounds.

Meanwhile, NBC Sports Bay Area has an article highlighting Looney as he explains his role as the bridge between the veteran players and the young core.

Finally, Looney did an interview with 95.7 The Game on Monday where he discussed a variety of topics including what the Warriors will need to do if they want to survive these next few weeks without Stephen Curry.

Via 95.7 The Game:

Looney said the Warriors have the ability to withstand losing Curry for a few weeks, as expected.

“It’s a tough task,” Looney said. “Once we get Wiggs back and we got Draymond back (Sunday) night, it made a big difference. It’s gonna be tough for us, but we have enough talent to hold the ship down til he gets back.”

Looney also discussed Jordan Poole’s 43-point explosion Sunday, in Curry’s second game away from the team since the injury. As a starter the past eight games, Poole is averaging 26.3 points per contest.

“(Poole) kinda knows what time it is,” Looney said. “We all talk amongst each other how everybody has to step up . Steph has big shoes to fill. No one guy can fill his spot. We all gotta do a group effort. But he knows when Steph is out, he has to take more lead, gotta control the game more and be more poised. I think he’s been doing a great job of that the past few games.”

Here are the rest of today’s stories:

In case you missed it from Golden State of Mind:

• Podcast: Raptors recap and Knicks preview
• Andrew Wiggins remains out for Knicks game
• Preview: Warriors visit Knicks in New York without Curry
• Player grades: Warriors vs. Raptors
• Jordan Poole scores career-high 43 points in road win vs. Raptors

Other Warriors News:

• How Looney brings Warriors’ two generations together (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Damian Lillard says he’s second to Steph Curry as best shooter in NBA history (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Kevon Looney discusses near triple-double, playing without Steph Curry (95.7 The Game)
• Thompson: Jordan Poole’s patience destroyed Toronto — now the Warriors need more of it (The Athletic)
• 20 reasons to still enjoy the Warriors as things look incredibly bleak (SF Gate)

NBA News:

• 2023 NBA trade deadline: Big questions, targets and draft capital for every team (ESPN)
• Damian Lillard becomes Trail Blazers’ all-time leading scorer (ESPN)
• Lakers Front Office Face Grim Options After Anthony Davis Injury (Bleacher Report)
• Donovan Mitchell looks back at the memorable and forgettable from his time in Utah (Andscape)
• Hollinger: Curry, Davis injuries may impact NBA trade season; Raptors check-in (The Athletic)