The Golden State Warriors are playing great basketball. Although they find themselves down in a game, the Warriors have continuously fought back to win games. This team is talented enough to take over the game down the stretch, but their chemistry on and off the court is also very helpful when they are not playing their best game.
The Richmond Oilers basketball team is close, but unfortunately they just suffered a horrific tragedy. Rodney Frazier was a 16-year-old point guard who was a great basketball player for the Oilers, but was killed in a drive-by shooting on November 7th. According to Scott Ostler of the SF Gate, the Warriors attended one of their games to show their support during this tragic time:
Since that Friday night, his teammates have been hurting. On Wednesday, less than a month after Rodney was killed, the Oilers got a high-profile lift — from the Golden State Warriors.
Coach Steve Kerr dropped in before the game against Concord High. He brought assistant coach Alvin Gentry and players Marreese Speights, Shaun Livingston and Festus Ezeli. It seemed to be a welcome relief to the sadness hanging over the team.
Rodney was described as a basketball fanatic and was really talented. He was the starting point guard and his head coach was aware of his talents since the fifth grade. His loss has greatly affected his family, community and team. Not only did these kids lose their starting PG, but more importantly they lost a great human being.
Losing a loved one can be an extremely difficult situation, one that Steve Kerr can relate to. Kerr’s father was shot and killed when he was at Arizona and he spoke to the team before they took the floor. (via: Scott Ostler/SF Gate)
“We’re all part of a big group, and when we lose someone in that group, it’s devastating, especially in the manner in which Rodney was lost,” Kerr told the players. “So I just wanted to say on behalf of all the Warriors, our whole organization, our whole community, we’re devastated, we’re here to support you guys tonight.”
Classy move by Kerr and the Warriors. On a day before they have to prepare for Anthony Davis and the Pelicans, they took time out of their day to support a team that was grieving. These kids do not deserve this, hopefully the visit from the players and Kerr was enough to comfort them and distract them just enough to enjoy basketball once again.
Class. Pure class. Warriors have had the luxury of the two best rookie coaches ever. On and off the court, this game should be about both. Respect to the Warriors!