“Worth its weight in gold,” read a sign made from a newspaper article about the Golden State Warriors’ 2015 NBA Championship. It was attached to the fence surrounding San Quentin’s Lower Yard, which was packed with hundreds of prisoners eagerly awaiting the arrival of the champion organization for the annual community basketball game.
The game had been postponed since its original date in September. After news reports of Head Coach Steve Kerr’s injury and back surgery, it wasn’t clear if the game would happen at all. Later, the whole team was cleared to come in Oct. 23. Word spread like wildfire on the yard.
San Quentin Warriors Montrell Vines and Brad Shells were shooting jump shots at 9 a.m. Point guard Joshua Burton swept the surface of the blue-green basketball court, equipped with uneven opposite rims. San Quentin’s play-by-play announcer, Aaron “Harun” Taylor, scrambled to get the PA system working with the help of Ben Ford.
At around 11 a.m., Bob Myers, the Golden State Warriors general manager, led his team onto the Lower Yard with a glint of determination in his eyes. After losing last year’s game by four points, this year was his. By the end of the game, Myers had dropped 43 points and subbed out with six minutes still on the clock.
The Golden State team had just returned to the Bay Area at 1:30 a.m. from a week-long pre-season road trip. Still, many of them showed up.
“We love coming in. So, we made it work. I think for us to show up lets everyone here know you are important, no matter where you are in life,” said Myers pre-game.
The San Quentin Warriors lost 99-76 to Golden State, the team that has won everything this year including the D-League Championship and NBA Championship.
Additionally, player Stephen Curry won League MVP, Myers won NBA Executive of the Year and Andre Iguodala won the Finals MVP.
“We were ready. We were hungry,” said Kirk Lacob, the Golden State assistant general manager. “We wanted the Triple Crown—the NBA title, the D-League title and the San Quentin title.”
Before the game, San Quentin Warrior Head Coach Daniel Wright welcomed Golden State’s crew, including former NBA players turned coaches Luke Walton and Jarron Collins, Marreese “Mo Buckets” Speights, Kent and Kirk Lacob, Julian Mills, James Laughlin, Nick Uren and Chris Demarco. Collins coached the game.
“Their biggest accomplishment is letting everybody know who the real Warriors are,” joked Wright.
San Quentin started off strong with the support of over 300 inmates and about 20 staff members. They won the opening tip and Harry “ATL” Smith made their first two baskets as turnovers.
Then Myers picked up his game. He nailed six three-pointers against the zone defense and scored inside. Myers also had 5 blocks and 2 steals on defense.
However, Myers had help. Kirk Lacob made 4 three-pointers and finished with 13 points and 4 assists. Kent finished with 11 total points. Demarco added 23 points and 11 rebounds.
San Quentin’s Allan McIntosh answered with back-to-back long-range shots. He made 6 threes, finishing with 25 points. Teammate Jason Jones added 12 points with 8 assists and 4 steals.
At halftime, Myers addressed the crowd.
“(Iguodala) was selfless and humble and ready when called and became the MVP of the Championship. I have a saying now ‘Beware of the fury of the patient man.’ So be ready when your time comes.”
Then Myers, Walton, Speights and the others chatted with fans like old friends, signed autographs and posed for photos.
“Just having this day and game shows that anything in life is possible,” said Vines
While the game was in full swing, Fresno City College basketball Head Coach Ed Madec was touring with his team. They watched for a few minutes.
They saw Walton miss a 10-foot shot, get his own rebound and then miss again.
“Non-shooter!” they heckled.
Walton finished with only 2 points from free throws and 7 assists.
The Fresno team got to see professionals play against incarcerated men, which proved to be a very humbling experience.
“It goes to show how one bad move could land you here,” said Jaffery Stillman, a Fresno City forward.
Brittany Owens, a secretary who works on Death Row, said, “It gives incarcerated men hope. It creates a positive vibe, gives them something to look forward to.”
Walton shared this sentiment.
“It’s great. People in here are locked up but it’s great for the mind and heart to do some regular stuff,” said Walton.