It was a Curry Show. Not an Indian classical cooking show. Rather a game of basketball dominated by a guy named Steve Curry. Of the Golden State Warriors.
At their home turf in Oakland. The Oracle Arena. Regular season game betwixt the local boys and the team from Dallas, TX. The visitors were called Mavericks.
It was a first for me. To attend a match in person. High up in the stands where the cheap seats are but still gives the viewer a good perspective of the game. The object of the match - the Ball - is visible. As are the players and their coach.
Some observations -
The arena is an indoor facility currently sponsored by a large software company called Oracle. Hence Oracle Arena. It is accessible by local train but there is a half mile walk to get to the gate once you exit the train.
And it is funky. To reach Oracle you walk half a circle around a baseball stadium that sits smack in the middle. This is the facility where the Oakland A's play.
You get scanned like at an airport to enter the arena outskirts and they charge you to leave your backpack behind. I had none so that part was easy.
Once at the arena you find your way into the stadium based on the zone your seat is in. Mine was section 220 - way up top with a view at an angle to the court. So lot of people navigating and side stepping open beer cups that ardent fans might be carrying while simultaneously balancing a stinky cheese topped carton of fries that left the frier a few minutes ago. Costly to purchase but also olfactory overload given the confines of the space and thousands of sweaty humans breathing in unison.
Lots of smoke and indoor fireworks get the show going - Score is ZERO ZERO - the game made of four quarters each of 12 min duration.
It is a production. The game is only part of the overall visual extravaganza. The energy of the people is palpable. I must admit - this is not for everyone. But like Vegas you have to see it once.
First is the dimming of the lights to kick off the national anthem. Usually it is some famous or popular figure with a voice that can carry a note or octave to belt it out. Not sure what the anthem and the ball game have in common but it is a national tradition to sing it to start any game.
I do not know the words and am not big on creeds, pledges and anthems or poetry in general but to add to that the way it is sung makes it nigh impossible to know what is being said save for - the home of the brave. Not sure what that means either since the country is also home to 'not so brave' people. I find that discriminating.
Finally you get to see the game of ball being played by some amazing athletes. In above pic the shirt number 30 is Steve Curry - the famous local player along with Durant in 35. I left at half time when the energy of the women sitting behind me radiated on to the row I was in and it appeared that they might lose control of some of their cheetos and beverages in the process.
Good thing too since I did not want to be crushed in the sea of humanity on the way out.
.
At their home turf in Oakland. The Oracle Arena. Regular season game betwixt the local boys and the team from Dallas, TX. The visitors were called Mavericks.
It was a first for me. To attend a match in person. High up in the stands where the cheap seats are but still gives the viewer a good perspective of the game. The object of the match - the Ball - is visible. As are the players and their coach.
Some observations -
The arena is an indoor facility currently sponsored by a large software company called Oracle. Hence Oracle Arena. It is accessible by local train but there is a half mile walk to get to the gate once you exit the train.
 |
| Obstacle course - getting to the basketball stadium requires walking around this building |
 |
| A relative newcomer to GSW - Durant pictured in an ad for the team |
And it is funky. To reach Oracle you walk half a circle around a baseball stadium that sits smack in the middle. This is the facility where the Oakland A's play.
You get scanned like at an airport to enter the arena outskirts and they charge you to leave your backpack behind. I had none so that part was easy.
Once at the arena you find your way into the stadium based on the zone your seat is in. Mine was section 220 - way up top with a view at an angle to the court. So lot of people navigating and side stepping open beer cups that ardent fans might be carrying while simultaneously balancing a stinky cheese topped carton of fries that left the frier a few minutes ago. Costly to purchase but also olfactory overload given the confines of the space and thousands of sweaty humans breathing in unison.
 |
| A lit decal of the home team |
Lots of smoke and indoor fireworks get the show going - Score is ZERO ZERO - the game made of four quarters each of 12 min duration.
It is a production. The game is only part of the overall visual extravaganza. The energy of the people is palpable. I must admit - this is not for everyone. But like Vegas you have to see it once.
First is the dimming of the lights to kick off the national anthem. Usually it is some famous or popular figure with a voice that can carry a note or octave to belt it out. Not sure what the anthem and the ball game have in common but it is a national tradition to sing it to start any game.
 |
| Singing of the national anthem and unfurling the flag |
I do not know the words and am not big on creeds, pledges and anthems or poetry in general but to add to that the way it is sung makes it nigh impossible to know what is being said save for - the home of the brave. Not sure what that means either since the country is also home to 'not so brave' people. I find that discriminating.
 |
| Vegas like sound and music fills the hall |
 |
| Warriors Won this match in the end |
Finally you get to see the game of ball being played by some amazing athletes. In above pic the shirt number 30 is Steve Curry - the famous local player along with Durant in 35. I left at half time when the energy of the women sitting behind me radiated on to the row I was in and it appeared that they might lose control of some of their cheetos and beverages in the process.
Good thing too since I did not want to be crushed in the sea of humanity on the way out.
.
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