A Kings’ Fan’s Perspective On The Golden State Warriors
May 12, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; General view of inside Oracle Arena during team introductions before the start of the game between the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs in game four of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
The Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors are Northern California rivals, but they share one common trait: they both lack a prolonged history of winning. Sharing this common thread means there isn’t a great rivalry between the two franchises, but one-upmanship always exists between sports fans.
The Sacramento Kings fanbase has experienced brilliance on the court in the Chris Webber era. The Warriors, unfortunately, have very little playoff elation. A Kings fan can relate to a Warriors’ fan’s misery and misfortune. The same cannot be said in reverse. A Warriors fan couldn’t relate to having a championship-caliber team in town.
Last season, the Warriors had a great year by their standards, while the Kings had another miserable year. The Kings aren’t expected to be much better this season while the Warriors are excited about their prospects.
A Kings fan looking west will notice a team on the ascension, a team that will be moving further west by 2017 to a beautiful new waterfront arena. Looking at their own team, that same fan will see potential. For a sports fan, potential is a dirty yet hope inducing word at the same time. A Kings fan will await the decisions regarding their star player. They will be merrily awaiting their own arena, an arena that almost lost them their franchise.
A Kings fan and a Warriors fan are not entirely dissimilar. They each hail from a blue collar town. They each have remained loyal to their team through very rough times. They each await the light at the end of the tunnel–to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy one day.
The greatest bond a Warriors and a Kings fan will ever share is their common hate of the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s no secret that Northern California and their southern brethren are rivals. The Kings-Lakers and the Stanford-USC rivalries are well documented but the Warriors also share a rivalry with the Lakers. Friend of a friend is a friend but the enemy of an enemy can be a friend.
Truth is until both franchises run into each other’s way, there won’t be a huge rivalry. One day in the future, both these franchises will contemporaneously field great teams that will have to defeat the other, on the way to glory. That day will change Northern California basketball forever.
Today a Kings fan looks on as the Warriors enjoy the jubilation of wining. Tomorrow will bring different fortunes. In the life of a sports fan a little jubilation lasts a lifetime. Just ask the 73′ New York Knicks.