We're a little spoiled with the victory parades around here, but this is a good question: If the Warriors succeed in winning their first NBA championship in 40 years, which "home" city gets to host the parade? The team which was known as the San Francisco Warriors after moving here from Philadelphia (1962-1971) but changed their name after relocating to Oakland in 1972 to begin playing in the arena now known as Oracle Arena, and they've been there ever since. Now that there's a plan for them to move back to San Francisco in a few years into a shiny new arena, Mayor Ed Lee and the city likely don't want to miss out on this opportunity to celebrate the team's potentially championship season (knock on wood), but Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf will want to share in that glory too.
As SFGate reports, the two mayors have apparently already discussed the possibility of a parade and what it might look like. And an idea that's been floated would include a parade through downtown Oakland after which the team would get on a barge and come across the Bay for a second phase of parading in SF.
The Mercury-News asked Warrior MVP Steph Curry this question a little too early, last week, and his response was, "That's a great question. Ask me in a month and a half and I'll have the perfect answer for you." Team president and CEO Rick Welts has also avoided answering the question, saying that even to talk about it is "an industry jinx."
And though the Warriors are a favorite to make it through the playoffs and take it all, they were put to the test last night against the Memphis Grizzlies, losing 97-90.
So long as that shadowy alliance doesn't delay or kill the project, the Warriors Arena is set to break ground soon and open for the 2018-19 season.
