Why do we care SO Much?

Why do we Care SO Much? 

     Driving to Oracle Arena to attend the season wrap-up fan rally and for one last chance to express my thanks to the Warriors organization, I questioned myself, "Why do I care so much?" There was no clear answer. "Why am I driving an hour to Oakland to honor my team that just lost only three nights prior?" Again, no legible answer. "The only other people who would do this are Bill Simmons at any Boston event, Justin Bieber at any (insert champions) team's celebration or Michael Jordan attending a GM for dummies venting session." Wonderment filled my car as I drove, I felt like I was trapped in a glass case of doubt. 

     With 0.00 expectations driving up to the vintage, yet lovable Oracle Arena that nights previous was transformed into the energized ROAR-ACLE Arena, I began to see banners and Blue & Gold car flags. I was surrounded by thousands of other loyal Warriors fans. Had I just died and gone to heaven? With the exception of the Oakland natives who were sent by their parents to this FREE event and told to snatch all the ketchup packets they could fit in their jean pockets, I was surrounded by a sea of Dubs fans who cared as much as I did. 

So, why was I attending this event?

     Because it's my favorite Warriors team in 6 years. Because we had just witnessed the first great season of an up and coming team. Because we had witnessed Bay Area basketball history. Because this is the only team to beat the Spurs through 3 rounds of Playoffs. Because I wanted to be there with other Warriors fans. Because I wanted to be inside Oracle Arena for the last time for two years. Because I wanted to smell the popcorn, stare at the newly revamped yellow floor and reminisce on the great times. Because I wanted to savor those "WAAAARRRRIIIIOOOORRRSSSSS!" chants, hear the overexcited Dubs fans, enjoy that only-works-in-person moment when Brandon Rush makes his first appearance fresh off a season ending injury. Because we spent 6 months watching Curry, D. Lee, Klay, Barnes, Coach Jackson and the rest of the youngest team in the league become relevant.  

     Their improbable turnaround wasn't about big names, money, numbers, headlines, commercials, endorsement deals or drama. This group of young misfits enjoyed playing together and giving the best NBA city in the country something to cheer for again. It's really that simple. When last season became a lost one, the infamous tanking began and injuries splintered any future plans, something interesting happened: Bob Myers made a few quality signs had the best draft of 30 teams and vowed to create a championship atmosphere and a winning mentality. 

     Three months later, the season began. Curry was healthy, Barnes earned a starting role, Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry excelled off the bench and Mark Jackson wasn't concerned with tanking for a draft pick, trade rumors, and looming contracts, only one thing was on his mind: Winning! Fast forward past Draymond Green's buzzer beater to beat Miami on the road, David Lee's All-Star appearance, Curry's 54 at MSG, Barnes flight, league awards and we arrive at the playoffs. Playoffs, Playoffs? You kidding me? 

     After rolling through the Gallinari-less Nuggets, forming feuds and a rivalry of two up and coming teams, the Spurs loomed. The Spurs? Really? Dang it! Why do we have to play the Spurs? San Antonio is the closest thing to a machine this league has ever seen. Fundamentals vs. Shooting. David vs. Goliath. 

     All evened up at 2 games, the Warriors were two wins away from a Western Conference Finals appearance. As casualties (Lee, Curry, Bogut) kept piling up and the fountain of youth team kept chugging along, undaunted, they started resonating with Warriors fans like the '07 Warriors. This was totally different than 2007's We Believe season. We had a hope for the future, this was only the beginning. The foundation had been laid. It's not about Curry setting records, David Lee's flawless pick-and-roll plays, Klay sneaking off a double screen to hit a 3, or Barnes emphatic dunks. It's about the hope for the future and the growth and many more moments we can expect from those guys. This is not an up-and-coming or overachieving team, it's a team that will be great. A team that has earned a spot in Warriors memory books and hearts. We will always remember what this team went through and accomplished. We will always remember the 2013 Warriors. 

     And that's why I drove to Oakland. To celebrate the start of a franchise. To celebrate great years to come. And, to give thanks and celebrate the first of many, many great things to come.