Curry was a focal point in the Warriors' third ring ceremony in the last four seasonsNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
The Warriors were presented with their '17-18 NBA championship rings before their home-opener against the Thunder last night, and the "top of each ring is reversible," according to Nick Friedell of ESPN.com. On the "blue" side, 74 sapphires "represent the number of wins (regular season and playoff) by the Warriors last season." On the "white" side are 74 diamonds. The team's mantra, "Strength in Numbers," is "revealed when the ring's top is twisted off." The rings were designed by L.A.-based jeweler Jason of Beverly Hills (ESPN.com, 10/17). The rings contain "several features that symbolize the Warriors' dominance," as explained in the team's video reveal. The video explained that the "bristle texture featured on both sides of the ring represent the series sweep in the NBA Finals." The reversible rings allow players to customize their rings, so if players "want a white-topped ring, they can have it." If they "want blue instead, they can have that too" (NBCSPORTSBAYAREA.com, 10/16). The Warriors also launched the Championship Ring Raffle, giving fans a chance to win an authentic Championship ring, with all proceeds benefiting the Warriors Community Foundation. Fans can buy championship jewelry, including rings, pendants and cuff links that feature elements of the players' custom rings at warriors.com (Warriors).
GET ON WITH IT: USA TODAY's Martin Rogers writes for some reason, the home opener for the defending champions each year, "specifically the bit where the jewelry is doled out and the banner is unfurled, always gets kind of cringy." Warriors G Stephen Curry said it is "honestly the weirdest night of the year." Rogers writes by the time yesterday's game came around, the Warriors winning the title "felt like not just yesterday's news, but early June's." The whole ring presentation is "probably outdated, but it is what it is." The NBA "embraces modernity often enough to be given a pass on this one." Rogers: "The good news for the league is that it got the cheesiest part of its entire season out of the way on night one" (USATODAY.com, 10/17).
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: NBC Sports Bay Area's Monte Poole said of the Warriors' last opening night in Oracle Arena before they move to Chase Center next year, "They realize what this arena has meant to them, what the crowds have meant to them over the years, certainly the past few years when they've won these championships." Poole: "They recognize these huge parades, a million people coming out for this team so they know they'll have some of the same fans coming over to the Chase Center, but not all of them. They know and realize for many people, this will be the last time maybe ever that they see the Warriors in person so they understand that and I think it'd one of the things that's in back of their minds." NBC Sports Bay Area's Kelenna Azubuike said the fans and passion will be "tough to duplicate" at Chase Center. Azubuike said, "The Warriors will still have a huge presence here in the Oakland community so they need to keep that in mind, but it's definitely going to be a special season. ... They want to make it special. They want to go out the right way" ("The Happy Hour," NBC Sports Bay Area, 10/16).
