“One day”, are some of the words that is on a mind of a dreaming individuals. Stories, pictures, videos, and even now virtual realities made us people see what it is in there in the world to offer. Some people try to live off those dream vicariously through others. Some try to manifest it for themselves.

Bucket lists. Almost everyone has them. Mine just started and in progress. A plan to finally go to Japan and watch a live Summer Olympic games was scratched out in 2020, as all other bucket lists was scratched out that year. With a possibility to do the said plan the next year, only to be near impossible to do with the restrictions. But in 2021, I was still able to scratch of some of my Bucket Lists and let me tell you what it is.

Growing up I am a big fan of the sport Basketball. I grew up in the Philippines and if you asked Filipinos or even a foreigner that have lived in the archipelago that we Filipinos loved the game of basketball. We have basketball courts almost any subdivisions you go. May it be a full court or a makeshift basketball rim in a piece of wood, Filipinos will play in them. May it be in basketball shoes, running shoes, flip-flop, or barefoot, as long as there is a ball, a rim, and fellow basketball enthusiast, Filipinos will play. And if there were no ball or a rim, we go to the media and root for our team and be an “expert” analyst on breaking down the game because we are the best basketball player in the world. While watching a basketball game on the Internet or television featuring your favorite team hype you up, what if you can support them on the same place they are playing at.

Hence, here is one of my Bucket List. Visit an NBA Arena and watch an NBA game. I achieved this when I visited the American Airlines Arena, home of the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Texas. Even though the Dallas Mavericks is not the NBA team I root for, I just love to watch a really good competition, plus I liked watching Luka Doncic playstyle. This day was also special for Dallas Mavericks fans as this is their first playoff home game after a couple of years. Also, this is the day when they allow almost max capacity in a sports event since pre-pandemic. While this is a story of its own, I would like to tell my experience on watching one of the most exciting team to watch. It is beautiful to watch this team play in TV and what if witnessing them play live, within the atmosphere of the arena, with their fans cheering them on. I am not a bandwagon, but as a fan of the sport, you would not be able to be amazed of the teamwork that this team display for almost a decade.

“Strength in Numbers”. The slogan that the Golden State Warriors adopted during their 2015 NBA Championship run. And it was a perfect way to describe the team. Led by a budding Superstar and MVP Stephen Curry with his All-Star teammates Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the Warriors added another Championship banner to the franchise after 40 years and made the “Roaracle” fans proud. They would made them proud two more times and established themselves a championship contender in the next 4 years. They might have a roadblock on being a contender in the past 2 seasons after losing a superstar in Kevin Durant, the other half of the “Splash Brothers” in Klay Thompson in injuries and free agency, also depleting their deep bench trying to keep afloat the “Super Team” they built in the 4-year run. Now they are back and slowly regaining back their losses and getting back to the slogan on their 2015 championship run and that is “Strength in Numbers”

With Klay Thompson nearing his return to the team after two major injuries that caused him to sit out two NBA season and the team winning ways is back, what a great time to watch this team live in their new home arena, the Chase Center, and sitting along with the “Dub Nation” in the first game of the new year of 2022.

If you follow the NBA Instagram or the Warriors Instagram you will always see Steph Curry’s pre-game routine. Whether it is the two-ball dribbling skills, or the half-court/logo practice shots, you have got to see this when you are going to watch a Warriors game. Of course knowing Steph Curry is going to play that game.

The January 3, 2022 game between Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat is the second NBA game that I have watched live. The Chase Center is the second NBA arena that I have been inside and watched an NBA game. Even though I am a huge fan of the Golden State Warriors brand of basketball. My favorite NBA teams are the Chicago Bulls, because of the Michael Jordan-era team, and the Portland Trail Blazers, because Brandon Roy was my favorite player when he was playing. Also, these were the teams playing that I could remember that I watched as a kid where I saw Michael Jordan play. It was during the NBA Finals series between them.

#KlayDay. This day was on January 9, 2022 where Klay Thompson returned and play in the NBA after more than two years. He last played in the Game 6 NBA Finals against the Kawhi Leonard-led Toronto Raptors. The game where his first injury happened. This was also the day where the Big 3 of the Warriors started and played together. Unfortunately, Draymond Green had to leave the game seconds after it started due to an injury he sustained during shootaround. It was months after when the Big 3 played together again and actually all 3 of them finished without anyone leaving the game with an injury.

I am glad the Golden State Warriors won the two home games because I would feel bad as the very first NBA game I watched live, the home team loss and it was a playoff game. Sorry Dallas Mavericks fan. #MFFL

Starting Line-Up Introduction On Klay’s Comeback Game

“Strength in Numbers”. It really showed in the two nights I watched the Warriors play. Both of the games they had a back-to-back 39 assists for the whole team. It was a great experience to watch a championship contender team play live, where I was just admiring their game on the Internet a couple of months ago. This won’t be the last to watch this team as I plan to move in the Bay Area depending on my work.

So, if you are wondering what my Bucket List is? It was to go watch an NBA game live. It checks one in the list. But now I would like to watch an NBA game in all 30 NBA arenas.

Meaning, I’m sorry if that home team lose.

I promise I am not a bad omen.

28 more to go…

Follow my Instagram as I have more pictures and videos on my Chase Center Adventures.

#KlayDay #ChaseCenter #GoldenStateWarriors #NBA