The Warriors last night hosted their "final regular-season game at Oracle Arena" before moving to the new Chase Center in S.F., and after the win over the Clippers, coach Steve Kerr "spoke to the crowd, thanking them for their support over the years in the building." After Kerr's speech, he unveiled a banner that will hang in the new arena, reading, "Oakland, California 47 seasons." Kerr: "It was a really nice moment. All of the fans stuck around, which was great, but we're coming right back and playing Game 1 Saturday or Sunday. Hopefully, we'll have another send-off in grander manner." The team "celebrated the occasion by wearing jerseys from the 'We Believe' era" (ESPN.com, 4/8). Warriors alumni Sleepy Ford, Rick Barry, Adonal Foyle and Marreese Speights were "honored at halftime" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/8).
The night "wasn't a funeral -- it was a celebration" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 4/8). The Oakland farewell "felt more than merely ceremonial," it felt "very sentimental, very emotional" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 4/8). The S.F. CHRONICLE goes with the header, "Oracle Arena: A Lifetime Of Memories. Genesis Of A Career."
