Saturday, March 16, 2019

So Long, Oracle

While the NBA does not promote its history in quite the manner that the NFL or MLB
do, it is time that Oracle Arena gets its due respect. Built in 1966, "Roaracle" as it is
commonly known to Golden State Warriors fans is the oldest arena in the NBA--but
not for long. At the end of the 2018-19 NBA season, the structure adjacent to the
Oakland Coliseum will have seen its final regular season games, with a handful of
postseason games to follow. After that, the Dubs will move back across the Bay
Bridge to San Francisco, finding refuge not in the old Cow Palace, but the newly built
Chase Center.

As a fan, Oracle never quite did it for me. I've seen countless games at the Coliseum,
Candlestick before it was torn down, and Cal's Memorial Stadium prior to its
renovation (thanks, I guess, Sandy Barbour). All these structures were critically
panned for their poor sight lines, uncomfortable seats, and narrow corridors. These
complaints, and countless others, are all quite deserving. However, these stadiums all
have something in common: charm.

The roar of the crowd that was common at Candlestick Park during the Montana era
has been hard to replicate at Levi's Stadium. While this can be attributed to a
diminishing product under such fantastic head coaches as Jim Tomsula, there is no
denying that the spacious and luxurious Levi's has not recreated that same sound. The
Coliseum still rocks with a packed house whenever the A's are as good as they are
now, while the Tedford-led Bears seem a thing of the past when PAC-12 after dark
begins on a November night against Arizona State.

Yes, some Bay Area structures have received their deserving notice, but not Oracle.
Why, you may ask? Quite frankly, it's about the team's history. Yes, Candlestick was
horrendous, and the Coliseum is terrible, but both these structures have seen amazing
feats. Candlestick saw "The Catch" parts one, two and three. The Coliseum has seen
the "Sea of Hands" and the A's three-peat in the 70's. What did Oracle see prior to
2015? Sleepy Floyd go off in the fourth quarter of a meaningless playoff series against
the Lakers in the late 80's?

The reality is, yes, the Warriors are now a global brand. With the boom of Silicon
Valley and the luck of drafting Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, the team with the
worst beginning to its name in sports (Golden State-seriously? They only called
themselves that for the 1971-72 season because they played six "home" games in San
Diego to try promoting themselves as a state-wide brand) has become easily the most
popular, for better or worse. However, this team does not have nearly the history that
franchises such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics have had. When the
Lakers moved out of the Forum and the Celtics out of the Garden, much greater focus
was placed on these structures becoming obsolete. Coincidence? I think not.

For this Bay Area sports fan, I will admit: for as much as the Warriors win, they will
never surpass the Giants, A's, Sharks, 49ers. I love the game of basketball and played
it all my life. Yet, between the Baron Davis and Steph Curry eras, Oracle Arena was a
place you didn't want to be spotted at wearing anything but gear of the opposing team.
My friends? Lakers fans. My Dad's friends? College basketball fans.

The Bay Area has never been known for its love of professional basketball. Unless a
run like what we are currently experiencing happens once more, it’s hard to envision
my peers keeping their Lakers jerseys in the closet much longer. Oracle Arena was the
source of childhood memories for many--cheering on Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol,
that is.

Many residents of the Bay Area have seen countless games at what was formerly
known as the Oakland County Coliseum Arena. There is no question that there are
those who will be saddened by the loss of the arena. However, there's a reason that
this number will be exponentially smaller than the Candlestick idolizers. The Warriors
following is new: people are excited about a new arena, and rightfully so. The Chase
Center should meet all expectations with flying colors, putting Oracle to dust. After
53 years, you'd think a community of eight million people would be more bittersweet
over losing its arena. This surely isn't the case, and that's a damn shame.

Thank you, Oracle Arena. You helped usher in a love of basketball into my life. The
Bay may not miss you as other stadiums but know that you'll always have a place in
my heart. Thank you.