The Golden State Warriors pulled off their 4th championship win within eight years. But to those at the San Quentin, the GSW are more to them than just NBA Champs.
Incarcerated resident Kelley E. said, “To pull off four national championships in eight seasons is unheard of. And to see Curry pull off a three-pointer from half court excites me.”
Golden State has many loyal fans here at The Q, not only because of their tremendous B-Ball play, but because of their periodic visits to the prison.
A little history for new readers of the SQNews: the Golden State Warriors have been coming to visit San Quentin since 2015. The GSW staff competes against the SQ Warriors team here, and the SQ team actually won once.
“I feel happy we won. People doubted the Warriors were going to win. All I got to say is, ‘What they gonna say now?’” said incarcerated SQ Warrior player M. Vines. “Seeing Bob Myers wearing our jersey, I felt supported on national TV. It made us feel that he is thinking about us. Some of us don’t have family, and that meant a lot to us.” Vines was speaking for many other residents who second that sentiment.
“I look forward to playing against Bob Myers and the coaching staff. Because I know he still has a salty taste in his mouth from the time they came in and left with an L (loss).” Vines said while smiling and reminiscing about the 2017 loss GSW took against the prison team.
Vines eagerly wants the team to come back and visit. It has been a few years since the GSW has come to the prison because of COVID quarantines.
“I look forward to playing against Bob Myers and the coaching staff. I can’t wait for Draymond to come in again and play dominos against us. He hung out with us and made us feel like family. I also look forward to some of the young support team members like Mosey Moody, J.K, and Pool Party.” said Vines.
SQ Warriors player Jamal Green also saw General Manager Bob Meyers representing the SQ Warriors on television.
“I feel that him having our SQ Warrior jersey on that we wear says that they are invested in us. It shows us that it is more than basketball—it’s community. Basketball has changed my life. By him having on our jersey, shows me that I am a part of something and can go into my community and do positive. He is big on that. It shows the world we’re not our crime. It really helps me out for my board date, and him coming into The Q has changed our lives. It’s a Christian ministry that gives us shoes, that starts with community.”
The San Francisco Chronicle recently compared Golden State’s big three—Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Steph Curry—with Los Angeles Lakers legends Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabar and James Worthy. That drew this comment from Green: “Four-time championship with my brothers. None of us are the same.”
