Joining the fundraising effort personally and commemorating those lost in the Oakland Ghost Ship fire of December 2, Warriors guard Steph Curry sported a special pair of custom shoes as his Bay Area team took on the Knicks at Oracle Arena in Oakland last night. The shoes, Curry wrote, would be auctioned off for the relief effort.
Tonight's shoes to honor #GhostShip victims. Auctioning off for Oakland Fire Relief. Together we're #OaklandStrong https://t.co/UkVziP5jK6 pic.twitter.com/rwuTlooi5J
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) December 16, 2016
To briefly make light of a generous act, the shoes are likely to be a bit more popular than Curry's previous kicks: His Under Armour brand Curry 3s, which weren't selling so hot as of November, and his Curry 2s, which were met with meme mockery for their dad-chic or dentist-wear vibe.
The Warriors initially joined the Oakland A's and Raiders in their fire relief effort to each pledge $50,000 in matching funds for a total of $150,000, and on the donation website YouCaring they're nearing their $500,000 overall goal. Now, the Warriors have doubled down on their pledge, and then some, offering up an additional $75,000 in relief funds.
“As a team that calls the Bay Area our home, we are all devastated by this tragedy that took place right in our community,” said Warriors forward Draymond Green. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those that have lost their lives, and our sincere condolences go out to their loved ones. We invite anyone that would like to help those who have been affected by this tragedy to join us in supporting our neighbors that have lost so much.”
Warriors players & coaches have pledged to donate $75K to the ongoing relief efforts surrounding the #OaklandFire » https://t.co/gFwXmap2N0 pic.twitter.com/LUMt0QiN4w
— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) December 7, 2016
According to the YouCaring page, funds raised will be distributed by the Oakland Athletics Community Fund in conjunction with the Oakland mayor's office and the Red Cross "to ensure that funds are fairly distributed to the families of those who lost their lives and individuals who experienced serious medical trauma escaping the fire."
Returning to last night's game, not only was the event a powerful expression of Bay Area solidarity, it marked a solid win on home turf: The Warriors beat the Knicks 103-90.
See how the Dubs took down the Knicks on #WarriorsGround! pic.twitter.com/ZPnzaar7eT
— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) December 16, 2016
And, one final note about another honoree of the evening: The late, legendary sports reporter Craig Sager was also given a special tribute.
"While we considered a moment of silence, we thought it would be more appropriate...to have a moment of joy instead." 👔 #SagerStrong pic.twitter.com/HzoFtoETNl
— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) December 16, 2016
