Reconfiguring the center room was a checklist item for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason and they did so by acquiring Walker Kessler via sign-and-trade and signing veteran Kevon Looney to a one-year, veteran minimum deal.
Looney won three championships during his tenure with the Golden State Warriors and is now looking to get back in a winning situation with Los Angeles. As is the case for a lot of players nowadays, the 30-year-old center revealed that he was a big Kobe Bryant fan growing up, via Mark Medina of Fadeaway World:
“I was a big Kobe guy. That’s my favorite player. Kobe was my guy.”
Bryant is a prominent figure in the Lakers organization and Los Angeles community, leaving plenty of memorable moments during his 20 seasons. Looney was asked his favorite memory of the Black Mamba and picked the 2010 championship:
“My favorite moment with Kobe is the championship when they beat Boston [in 2010]. They had lost to them before [in 2008]. So to come back and beat them was amazing. Then as a player, they played us when Kobe’s jersey was retired. So I was able to be there for that. That was a super cool memory.”
Additionally, the UCLA product played against the Lakers when Bryant got his No. 24 and 8 retired, which was another surreal moment for him:
“That was only my third year in the league. So to be at the game playing against the Lakers and see Kobe’s number get retired, it brought all of the memories back of me watching him as a kid. To actually be on an NBA court after dreaming of being like him, that was a surreal moment for me.”
A noteworthy theme this season was that it feels like these new players chose the Lakers because they truly wanted to be there and build with the franchise. In a new era without LeBron James in the fold, Luka Doncic now leads this team with hopes of trying to get back into title contention.
Numerous legends have donned a Lakers jersey throughout the course of time, so wearing the purple and gold carries tremendous weight. Looney admires the history, specifically with Bryant, and he knows what comes with playing for a storied franchise with championship aspirations.
Kevon Looney excited to team with Walker Kessler
While last season with the New Orleans Pelicans did not treat Looney kindly in terms of production and playing time, he hopes to rehab his value this season. Hopefully, by being in a winning environment, Looney can find more ways to contribute.
Additionally, he is excited to team up with Kessler, as he continues to rise as an upper-echelon two-way center.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
