When Klay Thompson provides you with a nickname, it’s virtually a ensure it is going to stick.
Thompson dubbed Warriors heart Kevon Looney the very best moniker final season after Loon’s ancient 22-rebound efficiency in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies.
“Kevon Looajuwon.”
And a number of months later, the nickname nonetheless brings a giant smile to Looney’s face.
“That means a lot, especially hearing it from Klay,” Looney informed NBC Sports Bay Area’s Warriors insider Monte Poole in September. “He’s someone who is aware of what I’ve been thru. He roughly had that very same adventure; we needed to leave out the sport of basketball. So he is aware of how onerous it’s to get again to that time.”
The nickname, in fact, comes from NBA Hall of Famer and previous Houston Rockets 12-time All-Star Hakeem Olajuwon.
The 7-footer led the league in rebounding two times in 1989 and 1990 and blocks 3 times in 1990, 1991 and 1993. He retired in 2002 because the league’s all-time chief in blocks (3,830) and averaged 21.8 issues on 51 p.c taking pictures, 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and three.1 blocks in 1,238 video games over his profession.
“For [Thompson] to get again to that time and provides me that reward and examine me to someone like that, it’s cool,” Looney said. “Dream is a Hall of Famer, one of the most best 10 largest avid gamers ever however for me to only have moments and get a nickname like this is simply superior.
“Klay’s a other form of man, and for him to get a hold of that, it’s cool.”
While Thompson and Looney have grown shut thru their highs and lows with the Warriors, Looney nonetheless has his doubts about hopping on Thompson’s boat to cruise the Bay with Captain Klay.
That most commonly comes from Looney’s concern of the sea, however he is not crossing it off his bucket record simply but.
“I’m trying to get ready. Klay keeps telling me I have to get out there with him,” Looney mentioned. “So I’m trying to over it because I still don’t know if I’m ready yet. Klay was over there dancing like Michael Jackson on the boat. I don’t know if I’m ready to do that yet.”
After profitable his 3rd NBA championship, Looney did get on a boat this summer time, after his female friend satisfied him.
RELATED: Why Warriors should not be punished for rewarding skillability
“It was cool, it was decent. I don’t know if I’m gonna do it again,” Looney mentioned, guffawing. “I just like being on land, man. I don’t like being in the water like that. I’m from Milwaukee. Maybe a lake, but not the ocean, man. It’s too much.”
But as a captain at the courtroom, Looney has just right reason why to accept as true with Thompson as a captain of the ocean.
“Klay never steered me wrong,” Looney mentioned. “So one day I’m gonna get on the boat with him. We just won a championship so why not? One time. Just once.”
Download and apply the Dubs Talk Podcast