Prior to the Golden State Warriors’ 124-106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 16, head coach Steve Kerr reflected on going up against former Dub City player, Kevon Looney.

“It’ll be weird going against him, but it won’t be as emotional as it will be 10 days from now, and we see him in the Bay,” Kerr said during a press conference. “That’s going to be a special night and an emotional one, but it will be great to see him out on the floor tonight.”

Looney, who was drafted by Golden State in 2015, had spent his entire career with the Warriors up until this offseason, when he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans. Sunday was the first time Kerr had encountered his former player not wearing a Warriors jersey. 

Kerr said he would have loved it if Looney had remained with the franchise, and misses him, but is happy for his new home in New Orleans. 

“It’s the NBA,” Kerr said. “There are so few players who play with one team their entire career, but especially role players. I mean, I think the fact that [Looney] was with us for 10 seasons is a testament to his impact on our locker room, our organization, just with not only how he performed in playoff games, but how he tied our team together and how much everybody respected him.”

Looney won three championships with the Warriors, serving as one of the franchise’s mainstays alongside Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson. His first season in the league, Looney stepped right into round two of what would go on to be four straight NBA Finals battles between the Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Looney has only played in seven games so far this year, and is averaging 2.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. 

Now with the Pelicans, it has likely taken Looney some time getting used to not only joining a different franchise for the first time in a decade, but also adapting to the team’s standing in the Western Conference. The Pelicans are just 2-11 in the young season. 

After winning three championships in Golden State, Looney surely grew accustomed to a standard of winning, but now that he’s with New Orleans, he will have to put those winning ways on hold, as the Pelicans have never won a Larry O’Brien trophy. 

The Warriors, on the other hand, with a 9-6 record, remain in contention as the current seventh seed in the West. Their next game is against the Orlando Magic on Nov. 18.

Nov. 29 is when Golden State will face New Orleans and Looney again.