After a devastating Game 4 loss in the NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors may have played their last game in Oracle Arena.
Usually, I write from a somewhat objective point of view. I say somewhat because at my core I’m a Golden State Warriors superfan. Not the type of fan that leaves what could be the final game at Oracle early. The type of fan that remembers the Bob Sura, Speedy Claxton, Earl Boykins, Erick Dampier, and Antwan Jamison.
The type of fan that would give his right hand to be able to afford a ticket to the finals. Well, that may be a little strong but I’d seriously consider it, maybe. My dad and I were pissed when Gilbert Arenas went to Washington in 2003. I say all that to say if game 4 was the last game in Oracle, I’m heartbroken for my city, Oakland.
Before the crowd was filled with more of a cooperate demographic, it was an Oakland crowd all the way. People of all different nationalities and backgrounds coming together to not only to have a good time but because of a genuine love and appreciation for Golden State Warriors basketball. Oracle or the Oakland Coliseum as it’s known to Oaklanders was the hangout spot. They would give us tickets at the YMCA and school events for free.
As the team I used to get teased for loving became a dynasty, most of the genuine love for Warriors basketball inside of Oracle is gone. Seeing the fan leaving early from an NBA finals game, as well as seeing Raptor fans basically, take over as the game went on and afterward only confirms that for me.
There was an extremely loud “Go Raptors” chant as the game ended, and it made me sick! As a fan of the NBA, I love seeing opposing fans take over a building. As a Warriors fan, I hated it. Over the course of this run, I’ve been spoiled seeing Warriors fans take over opposing arenas. To hear a “Go Raptors” chant, to see not Warriors fans, but Raptors fans possibly close down Oracle hurt.
As the buzzer ended the game feelings of disbelief, angst and jealousy filled my body. (Can you tell I take my sports too seriously?)
I felt disbelief because I just watched the Warriors go down 3-1 in the NBA Finals, angst because that may be the last time I see the Warriors play in Oakland, and jealousy, because I felt like it should have been Warriors fans staying in the arena 30 to 40 minutes after the game, not Raptor fans.
Last night sucked, plain and simple. I truly hope that wasn’t the last game in Oracle, but if it was it left a taste heavily salted lemons in my mouth. For almost 5 decades of history and Oakland’s own dynasty to end that way wasn’t what I wanted or expected. If game 6 happens, I’m hoping for a very emotional and lively, Oakland crowd.
Unfortunately, what I think we’re going to get is more of the cooperate, frontrunner type of crowd we saw in game 4. In no way am I saying everyone in the crowd is that way, but I think it’s clear as day the crowd isn’t what it used to be in Oracle.
I love Oakland, I love the Warriors, and I hope we as Warrior fans from Oakland get a chance to give the team a proper send-off in game 6 and truly show them how much we appreciate what they’ve done for us!