CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 09: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors and assistant coach Mike Brown react after a foul call in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 9, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors interim head coach Mike Brown said the decision to start Kevon Looney in Game 6 was actually Draymond Green’s call.
The Golden State Warriors were coming off of an embarrassing Game 5 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. For Game 6, the team decided to make some changes to the starting lineup. In particular, to start Kevon Looney.
Golden State defeated Memphis 110-96 on Friday night to advance to the Western Conference Finals. After the game, acting head coach Mike Brown was asked about what made him decide to start Looney. Brown answered by saying that it was actually Draymond Green and Stephen Curry’s call for Looney to be added to the starting lineup. Brown said that ultimately, the final decision was Steve Kerr’s.
Warriors: Mike Brown credits Draymond Green for decision to start Kevon Looney in Game 6
Green provided his reasoning why he pushed for Looney to get the start. You can listen to his answer in the tweet below, courtesy of The Athletic’s Anthony Slater.
The decision to start Looney was a good call by Green and Curry. In 35 minutes of playing time, Looney may have put up four points, but he recorded a ridiculous 22 rebounds. In fact, those were the most rebounds recorded by a Warriors player in a playoff game since Larry Smith in 1987, per StatMuse.
Looney also recorded five assists and two blocks.
After missing the playoffs the past two seasons, the Warriors are back in the Conference Finals. They look to win another NBA championship. After this season, Brown leaves Golden State’s staff to become the head coach of the Sacramento Kings.