Basketball fans are in for a treat tonight as Team USA plays another warmup game against Team China in preparation for the Rio Olympics.
This game is uniquely special for supporters of the Golden State Warriors, though. Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson are all members of Team USA, so any typical game for Team USA is brewing with Warriors’ story lines.
The site of this exhibition game is what makes this matchup especially noteworthy, though. Oracle Arena is hosting the festivities.
It will be the first opportunity for Durant to play in Oracle Arena as a member of the Warriors, even though he technically isn’t going to be wearing their uniform.
Draymond Green arrives on familiar territory in Oakland for #USABMNT action vs China! ?? ? https://t.co/7lgeOC9nad
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 27, 2016
Green and Thompson also get a chance to put on a show in front of the same raucous crowd that assisted on the journey towards an NBA championship and a record 73 regular season wins these last 2 years.
Even before the Warriors were the premier team of the NBA, these fans year in and year out made Oracle Arena an electric place to catch a basketball game.
The Bay Area is home to some of the most passionate fans in the world, and Team USA is lucky to have the opportunity to feed off of that energy tonight.
?? vs. ?? tips off in Oakland at 10pm/et on @NBATV! pic.twitter.com/aCbXg4x4cT
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 27, 2016
Team USA previously beat China 106-57 in Los Angeles, and it stands to reason that another blowout will be provided by a clearly superior U.S. squad.
Team China features former lottery pick Yi Jianlian, and a pair of 2016 2nd round draft picks in Zhou Qi and Wang Zhelin.
Team USA has been playing the brand of dominating basketball that fans have become accustomed to in the lead-up to the Rio Olympics. This game has a tad more significance attached to it for the Warriors trio, though, particularly Durant. He’ll look to make a positive first impression in his new home.