The Many Odd Homes of the Golden State Warriors

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If you had two hoops, a wood court, and a roof in California, well, chances are San Francisco Warriors owner Franklin Mieuli would let you host at least one NBA home game. Cow towns, high schools, it didn’t matter.
A big reason for that is that no one seemed all that interested in professional basketball in the 1960s. Mieuli had jumped at the chance to buy the Warriors and move them to San Francesco ahead of the 1962-63. He was part of owner of the Giants and 49ers and the got together a bunch of people to take over ownership of the Philadelphia basketball franchise.
That agreement would not last long, and eventually, Mieuli would become the majority owner after buying out co-owners who were concerned about the Warriors’ attendance. It was a valid concern. The first season in the city drew a meager 3,000 or so attendees, which was the worst in the NBA. That was despite having Wilt Chamberlain, the most entertaining basketball player in the world.
There was no singular home venue for those San Francisco Warriors. Cow Palace was sort of the de facto primary arena but the San Francisco Civic Auditorium and War Memorial Gym on the campus of the University of San Francisco. But even three home arenas wasn’t enough to satisfy the team.
That first season, the Warriors took four games to other locations in California. Two were held in Oakland at what is today known as the Kaiser Convention Center, and another was played in the San Jose Civic Auditorium.
But the most curious destination was Bakersfield where Wilt Chamberlain put 58 points and 23 rebounds in the Bakersfield College Gymnasium, a junior college facility.
Then things got even more weird for the Golden State Warriors and the NBA.
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[@chrisguardiano6143]

When it comes to the Cow Palace, it would later serve as the temporary home for two teams with San Jose in their name as the Earthquakes would play their indoor games there for the 1975 & 1976 NASL indoor seasons. Then the Sharks of the NHL would play their first 2 seasons there before moving to the SAP Center in 1993. As for the Oakland Coliseum it also hosted indoor soccer (the Earthquakes would split their indoor games between it & aforementioned Cow Palace) & was also the home of the California Golden Seals for all of their existence in the NHL from 1967-1976 before they disastrously moved to Cleveland (becoming the Barons in the 1976-77 season).

[@cyclingoptions9007]

I attended that Warriors vs Hawks game at the Sacramento High School Pavilion in December of 1963!

[@thetouchback]

That is awesome!

[@orlandogreen512]

It was ice follies and they had a couple of wrestling matches

[@theshape3988]

You would think maybe San Francisco would be apt for them.

[@matthewburris769]

I LOVE the few games at Oracle idea. Seems obvious.

[@David9PM]

Those are way smaller than my high school gym

[@SippyCupAdventures]

Ok, I "thought" I knew this story. Apparently, I got about 20% of it right 🤔I was aware they split time between SF, Oakland, and SD, but thought they also played in LA. But, playing in Richmond, SJ, Bakersfield, and Sac High?? Had no idea. Really fascinating! I had to pause the video at the shot of the SJ Civic Center to reminisce. One of the best concerts I had ever been to was there. 16 years old, and $10 got me in to see Sammy Hagar and Neal Schon and their HSAS collaboration. Smokin!!

[@thetouchback]

Talking about being in the right place at the right time. If I remember correctly, HSAS was around for like a year and basically only performed in California.

[@SippyCupAdventures]

@@thetouchback yeah. Was just a side project with an album. They played 8 benefit concerts in the Bay Area, only. If you’re into rock (I was at one time) listen to the album. My Home Town. Oh my. There is some grainy YT footage of one of the concerts.

[@ynotefil]

Great Video. Didn't Expect To Hear My Birthday Or The City I'm From In This Video. BTW, Shout Out To My City The City Of Richmond, Ca Where Life Is A MuthaFvckin Gamble 💯

[@matthewburris769]

Also, I understood the GS , pan-cali idea, the why..but had no idea they actually played it out in the early years!!! Thank you, San Diego??

[@master-kq3nw]

Cow palace 👍that was good arena

[@slobberkissintl3548]

GS passed on Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady in consecutive drafts. So Garry St Jean? That's the name i should put with those decisions? 😂

[@ynotefil]

Ain't No Saint In That Gene 🧬 IYKYK

[@anthonyrivera4735]

Can they just call themselves the San Francisco warriors since they specifically play in San Francisco?

[@86byrdman]

The Warriors were thinking about changing their name back to San Francisco Warriors with the move to Chase Center, but I think the Warriors decided against it because of backlash probably on social media. Plus the Warriors have become a much bigger brand under the Golden State name since they've won the 4 titles. The Warriors have always been the Bay's team though, but as a San Francisco native, it would be great if the Warriors changed their name back to San Francisco Warriors even though that will piss off East Bay Warrior fans or Warrior fans that aren't as big on San Francisco. We'll see. Maybe the Warriors look into it again later on.

[@master-kq3nw]

Yes they need back sf warriors 62-71

[@master-kq3nw]

It would ld be good that warriors play five games in Oakland other in Frisco what will be with Oakland arena