One W
I’ve been planning on writing this post for a long time, but with the fallout from Game 5, now seems like the right moment. I’ll keep it short and sweet.
Even with all the amazing action on the court (which I devote 99% of this blog to covering), my favorite story of the 2007 season has been in the stands. The Warriors fans, long laughed at as the crazy aunts and uncles of NBA crowds, are suddenly being held up as the ideal of what it means to be a sports fan. Does all the media attention finally make it worthwhile? Of course not. They’re just telling us what we already knew. What has made this so special for me is that as the Warriors have played better and drawn more fans into the fold, the Warriors’ community only seems to have grown stronger. We’re not fighting over who is a “real fan” (whatever that means) or who jumped the bandwagon last week. We’ve put aside all the petty squabbling and macho one-upsmanship that so frequently taints fandom. We’re unified behind a team that won us over with it’s refusal to die, it’s belief in its own abilities when no one else shared it, and it’s unrelenting passion to prove doubters wrong. We started out believing in the team, but as this run has continued it’s clear that “We Believe” now goes for the fans as well.
At the risk of spilling over into sickly sweet sentimentality, I’ve been touched by what I’ve seen the past few weeks: a fan printing out thousands of signs with his own money; the warm comaraderie shared by complete strangers at the Arena or in front of TVs across the country; all the readers from the far corners of the earth posting on this blog; those with extra tickets finding ways to make sure that others can get into the Arena, at no profit or even a loss to themselves; friends coming out of the woodwork to congratulate us on our team’s success; the raw noise and emotion bursting from fans during Games 3 and 4. It’s clear now that we’re all part of something bigger than a basketball series. We all know what it feels like to have been counted out at one time or another. We’ve all wished at times that someone was there to get our backs. Right now, behind each Warriors fan stands an entire global network, just as hungry for redemption. And when the action resumes in Oakland on Thursday, we’ll all be behind our team.
One W. Time to shock the world.
Adam,
I have been reading your post for some time now. I am often amazed at the insight you share regarding our favorite b-ball team. However, this post tops them all. Even the title is on point. One W. So simple yet means soooo much!!!
I think it would be awesome to hear Unbelievable by EMF at some point during a furious W’s rally at home, because that is what this season has been.
I don’t know about other readers but I had much trepidation going into this season because so much was the same from last year. When SJax won the game for Indiana to close out Novemeber at 9-7, it pretty much summed up the season for me (quick start, slow fade, and dagger in the heart at the end). But look at the team now. All of us Warrior fans are entitled to a tremendous sense of pride for our team after what we have endured. Thank you for putting into words what so many of us have been feeling. Shout out to the Bay Area (my home for 35 of my 37 years) from a Portland resident. P.S. I sure miss Jim Barnett’s insightful commentary up here. TNT broadcast sux! Would be nice if they paired Reggie Miller with a living soul for game 6. Maybe Barkley could slither off his chair for a game. I am sure the fans would love to see him!
I’ve lived in So Cal for the past few years and when I’ve had a chance to see them play in the Staple Center I’ve found the fellow Warrior fans to be supportive, positive, and hopeful.
I think we can win on Thursday, although, the game will be hard fought-literally. I expect the Mavericks to fold in the fourth quarter as they succumb to the Warriors’ attack and the crowd noise.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the fans storm the court or the players go into the stands to celebrate with the fans. Go Warriors! Go Warrior fans!
The atmosphere, I’ve heard, is a collegiate one- which is the way sports should be in general: loud and fun.
As usual, Adam hit the mark. As a former season ticket holder during the 80’s and 90’s, I fondly remember the wonderful people I shared Section 201 with. Great fans from all walks of life, putting aside differences of class, race, religion, etc. to share in their love for this team. It never leaves you. For those so fortunate enough to witness this incredible run, the emotional lift is awesome. When I saw watched videos from UTube the other day of screaming, celebratory fans leaving the arena after Game 3, it all came back to me. Besides the goosebumps, I don’t know how a bunch of overpaid jocks can extract this type of raw emotional response but it is real. The sense of community, of people all in support of one goal, and belief that anything can happen doesn’t come very often in life. It’s also a function of you wonderful fans so starved for so long and having endured so much misfortune. We’re finally throwing off the crutches and walking on our own!
I saw game 4 in this old bar in an old logging town in Northern California where I live now, where there’s not even a traffiic light. Its the only quasi-public place where there’s a working TV. The usual crowd of semi-drunks, old-timers, and a sprinkling of the newer breed who make their living growning pot.You don’t know the meaning of slow and slowest until you’ve been in a place like that. But the barkeep switched on the game, and damn, out of the woodwork 2 or 3 fans who didn’t know each other, started talking loud in their own little corner, got energized, and by the second half were jumping from one side of the bar to the other,pounding the tables and yelling their lungs out. By the second half, the bartender started ignoring his customers to watch the highlights. Hell, even some of the old-timers looked up to the TV and stopped reminiscing. After the victory the fans slid back into the night, a little sheepish making such a fuss about a game.
Great post Adam. Watching nervously from Phoenix, I can agree that I have had many people who know I am a Warriors fan comment on how great they are playing and how sweet it would be to see a game at Oracle Arena. It looks absolutely INSANE! Not that I have been but no longer should W’s fans have to be ashamed. I am proud of the team and the fans. Let’s see about getting the Phoenix series going on Thursday!
one of the wonderful things for me this season is how it has made my eleven year old nephew a fan. being young, he naturally gravitated to winning teams: the lakers (much to my disdain) and the heat. but this year, i took him to a couple of games and with the success of the team, he now is a WARRIORS fan. the team has shown what teamwork and heart can accomplish. GO WARRIORS!!!!
Wa-rriors!
Clap Clap
We Believe!
Clap Clap
Hey look, it’s another one game season! What’s this, like the 26th in a row?
ONE W TO BIND THEM ALL!
Adam great post once again… I found this Blog right before the trade was made and I love reading everyone’s thoughts and comments on the Warriors. Adam in some sick and twisted way you’ve somehow become our Pied Piper. It’s great that so many long suffering Warriors fans have found a place to come together and gloat in private about our beloved team. On this site it’s almost as if they are still our own little secret that nobody outside of the Bay Area has discovered yet.
I know this Blog is mainly used for breaking down games but I want to share a cool story with everyone.
I was in my mid-teens during Nellie’s first stint with the Warriors and my dad was an executive with a major Newspaper in the Bay Area. He had access to game tickets, one set of tickets were at mid court right behind Franklin Mieuli and the other set were two behind the Warriors bench right where the players used to enter the court before they reconfigured it. We went to an average of about 25 games a year, including the playoffs, starting in the 1988-1989 season. My dad, and best friend, past this last year after a two year battle with cancer however the memories he left me with of us at Warriors games are without a doubt my fondest.
During this playoff run I have often shared stories with my wife about going to games with my dad and how much fun we had together. Today, without warning, my wife ran away with the unanimous Wife of The Year Award, by surprising me with the announcement that we’re not only going to game 6 tomorrow night but she had also gotten us season tickets for next year.
…Un-BELIEVE-able…I can’t get the smile off my face.
To quote Adam, “At the risk of spilling over into sickly sweet sentimentality”…Thanks for letting me share that and…
Let’s finish it…
Chubs,
The color of envy truly is green.
My wife and I talked for years about fitting season tickets into our budget but could never make it work. I definitely went to my fair share of games, 10 plus per season, but didn’t get to experience the comraderie of season ticket holders. Congrats on the pleasant surprise and lets hope the W’s can close it out, TONIGHT.
My condolences on the passing of your dad but what a nice way to remember him. It is cool that the personnel from that era (Mullin, Richmond, Nellie, et al) are still with the W’s in one capacity or another. Almost has a circle of life sentimentality to it!
The hottest ticket in town for me is the Portland “Jail Blazers”, so I get 2 W’s road games live, and the rest is on NBA League Pass. Jim Barnett for Mayor!!!
Adam: great post. You have summed it up for ALL of us.
It would be great for the W’s to win it on the home court. They should all meet at mid court and hoist up a blow up doll of Charles Barkley wearing a W’s jersey.
That would be great for TNT and the viewers to see.
Chubs: your posting brought a tear to my eyes and I remember the same feelings except they were about attending Giant games at the stick with my dad.
Brian: I am the reverse of you. Bay area born and bred for 35 years. Niners, Warriors, Giants fan. Now I live in blazerland, but I still cheer on the W’s and when they come to town that is the game I mark to attend.
The Warriors will win it tonight for all the fans that stuck with them thru thick and thin for the last 13 years.
ONE “W”- We are united, GO WARRIORS!!!!!!!
Brain:
AdamM,
I am the identical situation to yours. Born at El Camino Hospital in Mtn View, lived in San Jose, Sunnyvale, Mtn View and the City. I relocated to Portland in 2006. I saw the Blazers/Warriors game on Sunday March 11 but missed the last game of the season due to schedule conflict. I am now a resident of Beaverton. You?
Adam,
I check your blog pretty much on a every day basis.
I just wanted to give you props on all the stuff you write, good stuff man.
You guys are making me teary-eyed. Only sports can do something like this to me.
I love you guys!!!
a quote from Remember the Titans:
“this will be the night…they remember..the Warriors!”
“leave no doubt!!!”
I need a tissue.
Yikes, what a melt-down: 9 point lead with 3 min’s to go, 15 un-answered points! many better teams have not recovered from losing a series with 3-1 lead and that kind of collapse. Don’t know people, Sir Charles may be right after all, hope not, good luck tonite - Go west coast!
Adam, I am pumped! Go Warriors! Let’s do this!
as a life long warriors fan, we here in the bay area appreciate the effort put forth by our team. i’ve lived here pretty much all my life and never have i experienced such a beautiful example of unification behind a sports team. from gilroy to marin, the bay is emotionally invested in the warriors. usually there is divide between bay area sports fans (As/Raiders vs. 49ers/Giants), but the Warriors have transcended such bounderies, creating a passion amongst millions of people who share a demographic area but come from diverse backgrounds. BUT…NEVERMIND economic, social, or racial divides. just this past week, i’ve seen .com business execs talk Ws hoops with restaurant employees, a muni bus driver discussing “CLAPGATE” & Charles Barkley with his group of passangers consisting of mid 20s hipsters, a couple of older chinese ladies, and a law student. friends who attended game 3 of the series admitted to getting teary eyed during tip off, sharing hi fives and hugs with strangers sitting in their section. during game time, you can hear the collective cheers of of W’s fans eminating from apartments, restaurants, sports bars, gyms, etc.
the bay area…in a sense…is in a GOLDEN STATE of unity behind our beloved Ws…and whatever the end result… we’re thankful…
to Brian C: I live in Yamhill county, about 45 minutes from Portland, in the heart of wine country. Napa without the money. Go Warriors.