After career nights in two wins over the Dallas Mavericks and the Memphis Grizzlies, Kevon Looney is one of the best stories in the NBA. On a team with three Hall-of-Famers, a former #1 overall pick, and one of the game's fast-rising stars, the big story coming out of Golden State is rarely about Kevon Looney. But on the league's biggest stage, Looney pushed his game to a new level, and it's taken storm across the league.

While Looney is not a superstar, let alone a star, people will ask why his story is so significant; or even unique. To see the true greatness of what Looney has done, especially during this postseason, you have to appreciate basketball better and need a better understanding of Kevon Looney's career.

Looney has been with the Golden State Warriors his entire career. The former late-first round pick was one of the most touted high school scouts and even received comparison to Kevin Durant because of his ability to score and move as a big.

After high school, Loon played one year of college basketball at UCLA, where he compiled a near double-double average of 11.6 PTS /9.2 REB /1.4 AST and played 36 games for the Bruins as a freshman. He was an All-Pac 12 performer and helped lead the Bruins to their lowest-seeded Sweet Sixteen appearance as an 11-seed.

He showed excellent durability during his one season in college, especially as a freshman. But It wasn't until Looney got to the league that his durability shattered, and injuries became an issue. This happened for practically the first six seasons of his career; Looney lived on the sidelines. From multiple hip problems, a collar bone fracture, and even more pelvic and lower limb issues, it felt like it was only a matter of time before Looney was either released or completely sidelined as a player altogether.

Before this season, Looney had only played more than 70 games in a season once and played less than 70 games in three seasons. Year seven comes around, and Looney's career turns for the better.

Eighty-two games played, 80 games started, and he became one of only five players in the league this season to play all 82 games this year; Looney was the Warriors' definition of consistent. However, the question that comes in is how is he going to feel during the playoffs? Since this is only his second time playing 80+ games in the regular season, will this affect his performance in the playoffs? Is he going to be overworked?

Nope.

Setting screens, battling inside for boards on both ends against guys bigger than him, and running rim to rim on fast breaks, is a demanding job as a big one. Much of what Looney does well is because his basketball fundamentals are so strong, allowing him to master the fundamentals of his role on the team. His strength in his position is showing more than ever after his career nights against Dallas and Memphis.

In game 6 of the Memphis series, Looney pulled in 22 rebounds and had some of the most crucial boards. His rebound and pass out to Klay Thompson for the dagger three was the biggest in the game. That game showed the grind and strength of what Looney can do as an undersized big. You can become an elite rebounder by knowing how to track the ball and position yourself while the ball is in flight. Looney did just that in Game 6.

Moving to Game 2 against Dallas, this was a takeover by Looney that we've never seen before. Twenty-two points and 12 rebounds were the UCLA product's first 20-point game since his college days. Credit has to go to his teammates for finding him so well off the pick and rolls, and the dish downs after the defense would collapse in the help. But it's even more credit to Looney because he helped many of his scoring opportunities open up.

Looney has shown his effectiveness off the ball screen. Whether it be on a regular pick and roll, and slip on the give and go, or just by simply positioning himself in the right spot like he did off the Andrew Wiggins dime to end the third quarter, it all comes back to Looney being the best role player.

So to the crowd that was PLEADING for the Warriors to do something at the deadline or in free agency, where are you? I thought we needed another big? No big, no title? In my honest opinion, I think we look pretty solid for a team with "no big." My guy Looney has been playing like a seven-footer all playoffs long. He has been one of the best bigs in the postseason. I don't just say that because of his two breakout games; I say that because he's been playing his role with perfection, and it's been a huge reason for the Warriors' postseason success thus far.

I'll check back in with this crowd once Golden State wins the title.

On a more profound basis, Looney having breakout games like these in games as important as Game 6 and Game 2 brings a message to the audience at home, especially to the young generation of hoopers.

It shows the importance of playing your role. Do what your team needs you to do to win. You can be successful as an individual player by playing your role at its best. If your job is to grab every board, do it. If you need to be the clamps on the other team's best player like GP2, sit in him and lock him up. It's about being selfless. Whatever your role is, be the best at it because that is what will help your team win, just as Looney is doing for Golden State.

(Photo credit: Harry How / Getty Images)