Kevon Looney Claps Back at People Saying the Warriors Set Illegal Screens

Kevon Looney has been a star in his role. While his numbers may never jump at you, he’s been an integral part of Golden State’s dominance over the past few years. Whether it’s freeing up Steph, Klay, and Jordan Poole for open shots or dominating the glass, Looney has carved a solid role for himself in the NBA. And yes, he doesn’t care if you think those screens are illegal. 

“If the refs don’t call it, then it is not a moving screen,” Looney tells Complex. “I find it funny. I feel like the refs call a lot of moving screens on me so I don’t think it’s true.”

If you watched him at UCLA, this wasn’t the player Looney projected to be but he adjusted with his environment especially after battling through injuries. 

“In college I used to do a lot more shooting. I was a lot more aggressive and playing with the ball a little bit more,” Looney says. “When you got Steph, Klay, Draymond and KD playing those four positions, it’s like, all right, the only time to get a chance to get minutes is at the center.”

We sat down with Looney briefly in the middle of a heated series with the Lakers to discuss if the Lakers are the Warriors’ toughest opponents in this dynasty, his thoughts on everyone saying his team sets illegal screens, and his partnership with Tidal.  

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. 

So talk about this partnership you have with Tidal and you going live before each playoff game? 
It’s something I’ve been excited to do. Being able to go live and share my music taste and my playlists with some of my fans and followers. And I’ve been talking for years with my teammates and different people in our training staff about how dope my playlists are. So for me, being able to go live and share with the world has been fun and I take it really seriously. I’ve listened to a lot of music before the game, and so me being able to allow my fans to get in the zone and lock in with me before I go on the court has been pretty dope.

What’s your top 3 songs on a playlist pregame? 
Oh, man, right now, I would probably say “Superhero” by Future and Metro. It varies. I, I kind of usually go with a Kodak Black song and it kind of varies. I like “300 Blackout” and then I go with a Jay-Z song. Recently I’ve been going before the game, I’ve been playing the “Intro” from The Dynasty album.

You got the aux in the locker room?
Yes, for the most part. I’ve been letting some of young guys have their moment, but when it gets serious, I always gotta get on.

Pivoting to hoops, it seems like people have recognized what you bring to the table for the Warriors. What’s it like to finally get the credit you deserve for starring in your role from NBA fans and media?
It’s been pretty dope to see my development over the last few years and to see, to get the recognition from the fans and from my peers. It’s been great. You know I got my own chant now at the Chase Center, that’s been dope. I got that probably last year. Just to see all your hard work pay off and all the grinding and the rehab and the dark times in the summer pay off and get the credit and the recognition from your people is always an amazing feeling. It makes you wanna keep working and it makes you feel like all the stuff you’re doing is worth it.