OAKLAND — Steve Kerr believes the Warriors have the best homecourt advantage in the NBA. And he’s got the numbers to back it up.
The Warriors are 19-6 the last two seasons in the playoffs at Oracle Arena — although two of those losses came in Game 5 and 7 of the last NBA Finals. One more win Wednesday against the Lakers would move Golden State’s home record to 36-5 this season.
Kerr was broadcasting the deciding Game 6 during the ‘We Believe’ Warriors run in 2007. Priors to tip-off, the coach was asked if the crowd is as loud now as it was back then. Kerr gave a thoughtful answer praising the current Oracle crowd, but also mentioning they’ve changed.
“Well, that was the loudest game I’ve heard broadcaster or coach,” Kerr began. “I’ve never heard a louder game than that. Was it 2006? 2007. That was amazing. That was an incredible night. I think in general this atmosphere at Oracle is the best in the league, and I’ve felt that way for awhile.
“I do think that our success the last few years has changed things a little bit. The expectations are higher. But let’s face it, part of that crowd in ’07, there was 20 years of frustration that went into that. We’ve had a lot to cheer about the last two years. So maybe the noise isn’t quite as loud, but I know that this arena provides the best homecourt there is in the league. When our fans are incredibly into it and loud, it makes a huge difference for us.
“I expect when the playoffs start, I expect this place to be as loud as ever. We need it that way, frankly. It helps us.”
Murmurs are that the postseason will start Saturday afternoon against the Portland Trail Blazers. The NBA will officially release the schedule likely Wednesday night.