Kevon Looney isn't a household name to the casual NBA fan. But to fans of the Golden State Warriors, they remember Looney as a key member of their team who helped them win three NBA Championships across his decade in the Bay Area. However, he closed the chapter on his time there this past offseason, signing with the New Orleans Pelicans.

A strong rebounder and solid defender, it's clear through the start of the season that the Warriors could still use Looney's skill set, but they must face the reality that he's gone. Luckily, on Saturday night, when hosting the Pelicans, the team was able to share a tribute video to honor Looney's time with the Warriors.

Unfortunately for Looney, the Warriors spoiled his homecoming, as they walked away with a 104-96 victory to improve to 11-10 on the season. Looney did have four points and five rebounds in his 10 minutes of action, but a poor shooting night from the Pelicans held them back from beating the home Warriors.

After the game, star forward Draymond Green was asked about Looney, and he shared a heartfelt message to his former teammate.

“Very special for Loon to be back here… We’ve felt his absence here in the locker room more than anything. He played such a vital role in the pulse of the team," Green said. "...We felt his absence, and to see him come back here and get the love that he deserved is special. For his teammates to see the love that he has here means a lot."

Looney was mainly a backup big man during his time, although he was a key part of the rotation. However, during the 2022 NBA Finals run, where the Warriors beat the Celtics, he brought his value as a starter, especially against the Dallas Mavericks.

In the 2022 Western Conference Finals, Looney had a 21-point, 12-rebound game as well as a 10-point, 18-rebound game in that series, which played a big role in the Warriors advancing to the Finals that year. He's not a highlight player by any means, and Green acknowledged the lack of respect he got as well at times.

"Oftentimes when he was here, [he] wasn't always celebrated for the work that he did," Green added.

Whether it was stellar scoring performances from Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, or Kevin Durant, or even a triple-double from Draymond himself, it often led to Looney's work being overshadowed.

However, the fans showed their appreciation for the long-time center, and it's good to see his teammates still viewing him highly.