Kevon Looney thriving as Warriors’ small-ball center

PHOENIX — Last summer, after another injury-marred season, Warriors forward Kevon Looney was desperate for something — anything — to help him resuscitate a career on life support. He thought about teammates Draymond Green and James Michael McAdoo, both of whom had used an increasingly valuable skill — the ability to defend multiple positions — to earn meaningful minutes when playing time was fleeting. With that in mind, Looney spent the month of August at UCLA, matching up with guards in pick-up games whenever possible.