Warriors: a catalyst for pride

By Chris Furnari

The Warriors won't be moving on to the Western Conference Finals.

Who Cares?

For the past two weeks, Bay Area hoops fans got to experience something they haven't in 13 years: the playoffs.

The Warriors, who clinched a playoff berth in their final game of the regular season, became the first No. 8 seed to upset a No. 1 seed in a best-of-seven series. They also brought emotional intensity, seldom seen in the NBA today..

The fans? They became one of the best stories in the entire NBA. Yellow shirts packed Oracle Arena with the phrase "We Believe" across the front. Bay Area rappers have made songs about the Warriors' post-season success.

For the past two weeks, every basketball fan in Northern California felt something that's been missing for a long time -- pride.

The Warriors Cinderella story came to a close on Tuesday night, but its impact will leave a lasting mark on nearly every sports fan, regardless of whether or not they reside in California.

A team with no effective bigman or inside presence to speak of stopped league MVP Dirk Nowitzki. That same team also competed with a Utah Jazz squad that won 51 of 82 games during the regular season.

Baron Davis played through numerous injuries and provided us all with a highlight reel filled with cross-overs, dunks and dimes.

If anything, the Warriors have taught us that there is nothing like a healthy dose of optimism to carry both teams and fans.

Nobody can deny the fact that Oracle Arena was a factor in the series win over Dallas.

Nobody can deny that both of the Warriors' series were the most exciting to watch in the playoffs to date.

And nobody, not even TNT analyst Charles Barkley, can deny that for the past two weeks, the Warriors were champions, even if they didn't earn the trophy. I can only hope that the Sharks, Giants, Athletics, Niners and Raiders fans will take some notes.

It's time Bay Area fans step up to the plate and show some pride in their teams at home. I am not just a Giants fan or an A's fan. I am not just a Niners fan or a Raiders fan.

I don't forget that we have an NHL and an AFL team that play in HP Pavillion.

I can honestly say that after watching the warriors over-achieve, I am proud to be from the Bay Area and proud to be a Bay Area sports fan.

I for one will support all of these teams. All I want to know is: Who's coming with me?