NBA champion Warriors and their fans get ready to rally

Jun 19, 2015, 8:24 AM

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, center, walks past cheering team employees as he carries the Larry O'Brien championship trophy in front of forward Andre Iguodala, lifting the NBA Finals MVP trophy, after the team landed in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 17, 2015. The Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers to win their first NBA championship since 1975. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — In a rare moment of glory, Oakland will shine in the national spotlight as the Golden State Warriors parade through the city with their NBA championship trophy.

Oakland usually makes news for crime, corruption, protests and violence. But on Friday, thousands of blue-and-gold-clad fans will flood downtown to see Warriors players, fresh from beating LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers, aloft six floats heading down a 2-mile parade route.

They started lining up before dawn for a spot to glimpse the gold award that star Stephen Curry lifted over his head Wednesday as he stepped off an airplane from Ohio and into the California sun.

Warriors fans and city leaders alike have stood behind their team through the season, and now they are basking in the glory of the team’s first NBA title in 40 years.

“The success of the Golden State Warriors, who are headquartered and play in Oakland, have provided a golden spotlight on this city. The resilience and tremendous potential of Oakland are emblematic of the Warriors’ victory,” said Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley, who represents east Oakland and other East Bay cities and has been a Warriors fan since 1976.

The team won 105-97 in the Game 6 clincher Tuesday night.

“We’re so proud of the job that the entire city of Oakland did as these great ambassadors for these finals,” Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said Thursday. “Like the Warriors themselves, we put together a great team of businesses, fans and city workers that hosted the finals in world-class style.”

The procession of floats will wind through the city, leading to some public transit delays and road closures.

The rally comes in a city that has been plagued by a number of problems. Violent protests over police shootings thrust Oakland into the national spotlight late last year. It been ranked as one of the nation’s most dangerous cities for many years, and the police department has been under a 13-year court-mandated police reform drive.

Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut greets team employees after the team's flight landed in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 17, 2015. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers to win their first NBA championship since 1975. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, foreground, yells as he carries the Larry O'Brien NBA championship trophy in front of center Andrew Bogut after the team's flight landed in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 17, 2015. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers to win their first NBA championship since 1975. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr speaks to reporters at the team's practice facility in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, June 18, 2015. The Warriors believe their first title in 40 years could be the first of many more. With their young core signed long-term and MVP Stephen Curry just entering his prime, the Warriors are certainly set up to make several championship runs. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry yells as he lifts the Larry O'Brien championship trophy after the team landed in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 17, 2015. The Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers to win their first NBA championship since 1975. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, center, walks past cheering team employees as he carries the Larry O'Brien championship trophy in front of forward Andre Iguodala, lifting the NBA Finals MVP trophy, after the team landed in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 17, 2015. The Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers to win their first NBA championship since 1975. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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