Why a Texas native and San Antonio citizen is a Warriors fan.

I first started watching the Warriors during their 2012-2013 season. I'd decided I was gonna get back into NBA after having moderate interest as a kid. I'm a Texas native, but I'm from El Paso which is about as about as far away from Texas as you can get, both in terms of geographical distance from the heart of Texas as well in terms of culture. So naturally, even though I appreciated the Spurs, I didn't feel connected with them. So I decided to watch a game for the first time in years and by chance or maybe fate it was the Golden State Warriors. I still remember it was a regular season game against the Nuggets, before the Dubs would go on to play them again in the 1st round. After Lee went down with the injury in the series, Steph was still the driving force behind the Warriors fueling them through most of it. Warriors went on to play Spurs in the semis. I remember thinking that if things went our way in that double OT in the very first game, that whole series might've gone differently. Warriors eventually fell 4-2 in valiant effort and it was then that I began thinking the Warriors looked like a team on the rise. That same offseason, we acquired Andre who was HUGE for the Nuggets in the first round and I said to myself, "The Warriors can actually compete for a Championship with this core." From that moment on, I was a locked in as a Warriors fan. (Funny side note, McGee was on that Nuggets squad. So I guess if a team wants to build a solid squad, swiping anyone from that old Denver squad is a good plan! )

After that, I'd watch Dubs games whenever I could, and when I finally did move to San Antonio for school the Warriors were still my team. All respect to the Spurs, but my NBA loyalty belonged to Oakland. When I started attending university, I met some friends who had as much interest in the NBA as I had developed. We'd talk basketball all the time. When the 2014 playoffs came and the Clippers were the opponent, I refused to miss any of the games. I still remember being on the top floor of our university's library with my friends, completely forgetting I was there to study and instead watching that final Game 7. Seven hard fought games, all without our Aussie enforcer to back them up. My friends actually had to shush me quite a few times while we were up there haha. I was sad about the loss, but couldn't help but feel pride at what they had done and excitement for whatever came next.

God, I barely remembered the Klay Thompson for Kevin Love trade scenario that was gaining traction and hated every second of it. I was absolutely against it. It still gets me fired up just thinking about it. GSoM, don't ever make me remember that was almost a thing, ever again.

That same offseason, LeBron went back to Cleveland and I started living with those same friends. Before the season started, I remember passionately arguing for Steph as the best PG in the NBA. I refused to listen when they said Chris Paul or Kyrie or even freakin' John Wall was better. My friend even confidently made a $50 bet in which I said the Warriors would win it all that year. I can say without hesitation that seeing Steph go on to win MVP and watching the Warriors take down the LeBron and the Cavs in 6 was worth far more to me and brought me more joy than $50 ever could. No "bandwagon" comments I got from strangers in real life or on the internet could take away the happiness I got from seeing a team I'd been rooting for years before actually win it all.

And we all know what happened that next season. I'm not so sure everyone felt the same way I did watching Curry rain nuclear fire on the NBA during their 73-9 run. Maybe they did, but it didn't mean quite the same thing. He'd been the very first NBA star I'd ever truly watched on that fateful day on January 13, 2013. I'd always believed he'd be one of the best in the League, but even I didn't think he'd be a person that would transcend Jordan and all the other all time basketball greats. But that's exactly what he did. It's not really fair to compare Steph to Jordan or LeBron or anyone else. He became great in a way that no one else had ever done before. And what was most surprising of all, was that everyone else seemed to realize it too. First ever "Unanimous MVP." He deserved it. No freak slip on a court in Houston could ever change that. No Finals loss could ever lessen everything he'd done in my eyes. No amount of mouth guards thrown at Nate Forbes could convince me he wasn't the greatest player on the planet.

And now we're here. Don't get me wrong I love watching KD. I'm still in awe every time I see him in the Blue & Gold. He's become an important part of the Warriors and I'm sure I'll enjoy him being on the team as much as I've enjoyed the years he wasn't.

But Stephen Curry IS the Warriors. He always will be in my eyes.

I grew as a human being with Stephen Curry and these Warriors. As they've matured, so have I. I've been with them through a move, a major breakup, a life epiphany, a second and third move, and even a Presidential election. And even if I never get to meet Steph, or Klay, or Andre, or Draymond, or KD, I'll still always feel emotionally connected with them. I'm not worried about winning a contest. I don't really care too much about it in all honesty. I'm just happy to be given a chance to share the history of Curry and the Warriors as it was seen through my eyes, with people who can genuinely appreciate it. I read every post on here, including comments even if I rarely comment myself and I try to listen to the podcasts when I can. From San Antonio, Texas, you guys have at least one true Warriors fan with you. You guys always will.

Thanks everyone.