Last season, while watching Warriors games from the bench, Kevon Looney often felt helpless. If not for the two hip surgeries that robbed him of most of his rookie year, the big man knew he could have offered his team another versatile banger.
虎扑体育9月9日讯 上个赛季凯文-卢尼只能坐在替补席上看着勇士队的比赛，这经常让他感到无助。如果不是两次臀部手术让他的新秀赛季缺阵了绝大多数的比赛，这位大个子球员知道他能为勇士队提供帮助。
“When I’d see us getting outrebounded, I’d be like, ‘Man, I would’ve gotten that,’” Looney said Thursday at Golden State’s practice facility. “This year, hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to show that I should be on the court.”
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Less than five months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum on his left hip, Looney is on track to return for the start of training camp Sept. 27. The preseason will be his audition to crack the rotation.
Minutes could be fleeting in a frontcourt that recently added Kevin Durant, David West and Zaza Pachulia to a group that returns Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, Anderson Varejao and James Michael McAdoo. JaVale McGee will compete for the final roster spot, and rookie Damian Jones (torn pectoral muscle) hopes to join the fray by the regular season.
“I’m really eager,” Looney said. “I’ve been watching, running and doing drills now for what feels like two years. To be able to get on the court and actually be healthy, I’m really excited for that.”
When the Warriors took him with the No. 30 pick of the 2015 draft, Looney aimed to persuade the front office that he could be a long-term solution at small forward. He showed flashes of his potential in summer league, averaging 9.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, before undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum on his right hip.
So impressed was Golden State with his 12-game NBA Development League stint that it brought him back in February. More confident in his right leg than his left, Looney overcompensated and began to experience pain in his left hip. His second surgery in eight months ended his rookie season April 22 with totals of nine points in five games.
While many of his teammates rest, Looney, 20, is training twice a day five times a week. He has added 20 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-9 frame. Looney, who was cleared for contact two weeks ago, played his first game of two-on-two Thursday since his latest surgery.
With a 7-3 wingspan and ball-handling that belies his size, he has a chance to help round out the Warriors’ rotation. Another season spent largely watching from the bench, however, would bring its own benefits.
“I have an opportunity to come in, learn from these guys and be on this team where we’re looking to make history,” Looney said. “I don’t think any better situation could’ve happened to me.”