Warriors camp takeaways: Looney makes splash in scrimmage

Warriors camp takeaways: Looney makes splash in scrimmage originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

LAIE, Hawaii – On their second day of training camp at BYU-Hawaii, the Warriors progressed from concepts to game play, scrimmaging full court. Effort, energy and flow is what stood out most to coach Steve Kerr on a day where three teams were created positionally as he’s far from naming a starting five.

“We just divided them positionally and spread guys all over the place,” Kerr said. “No hints on the starting lineup.”

Wednesday did end on a particularly positive note, especially for one veteran.

Here are five takeaways from the second day of Warriors training camp, which featured comments from Kerr, Draymond Green, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Brandin Podziemski.

Looney For Three … Bang!

Podziemski found center Kevon Looney, and the big man showcased what he has been working on tirelessly over the offseason: His 3-point shot. Looney drilled a game-winning three, and the celebration was on after that.

“That’s the best way we can end practice, a Looney three,” Podziemski said.

A leaned-out Looney has dropped 15 pounds to be more versatile, specifically on the offensive side as more of a shooting threat. After taking a grand total of three 3-pointers the last three seasons, and not making a single one, Looney took 400 to 500 threes this summer to be an option from long distance. That doesn’t mean he’s going to evolve into the next Splash Brother overnight.

The message sent to Looney is one of confidence. To be aggressive and not to hesitate. But he isn’t going to be a pick-and-pop option as the Warriors look to rain threes on their opponents. More so, it’s him taking advantage of broken plays and open opportunities.

“That’s different from being Kevin Love,” Kerr explained. “But he feels it. Loon still has to be who he is, which is a guy who is getting a lot of stuff done on the offensive boards and setting screens. If he’s open and it’s a stand-still three, I want him shooting it.”

Draymond Chimes In On Kuminga

Though his coach believes he’s a power forward, Jonathan Kuminga says…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/warriors-camp-takeaways-looney-makes-022203399.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-10-03 02:22:03

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.