Warriors Fever Reaches Boiling Point For Season Opener
OAKLAND (CBS SF) – Months of anticipation and penned up frustrations left over from last year's NBA Finals meltdown fueled a growing frenzy Tuesday among Golden State Warriors fans as the clock ticked down to the regular season opener.
With scalpers charging upwards to $150 for nosebleed seats and $5,400 for courtside VIP seating, the contest against the San Antonio Spurs may be the most anticipated sports opening game in Bay Area history.
The reason for the excitement is a rarity – a NBA superstar joining a team already laced with superstars.
Kevin Durant will be starting his first game for Golden State since deciding in July that he would join a roster that already had two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry and All-Stars Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
Last season, the Warriors set the all-time record for regular season wins and looked to be on the verge of clinching back-to-back league titles when they melted down and saw a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals evaporate under an onslaught from Cleveland's LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.
If anyone needs to know how Curry fells about the short-fall last season, they only need to watch his latest shoe commercial.
The expectation for this season has risen to the point where there are 33,000 people on the team's waiting list for season tickets.
Sales of Curry and Durant jerseys have also risen to all-time highs.
Head Coach Steve Kerr said the expectations have placed pressure on the team, but it's a pressure the Warriors will embrace.
"We all have pressure. That's a good thing," Kerr said. "The alternative is, `Maybe we can win 30 this year instead of 25.' Who wants that? Unfortunately, a lot of the teams in the league have that, teams that are going through rebuilding stuff, and they're trying to get where we are. So we're in a really enviable position."
"We know how lucky we are to be together with this group. We understand the responsibility that comes with it, and that's fine. It's a good position to be in."
Even before tip-off Tuesday night, the Warriors fans at Oracle will be in for a treat.
To honor legendary television sidelines reporter Craig Sager, fans at the game will be given a special Sager Strong t-shirt. Sager, known for his flashy style of dress, is battling leukemia
