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The City Of Oakland Celebrates, The Warriors Win The Title
Cleveland, OH – It only took 40 years to perfect a team that had fallen in the playoffs for three years straight. It took a coaching change that left many speechless, a few teaks in the starting lineup and one point guard to come into the 2014-15 season more hungry than any other player.
LeBron James made a statement after the Cavaliers lost in game 5. He said “that he was the best player in the world.” Last night he watched the best NBA team in the world hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy on his own home court. The Warriors won their first NBA Championship in almost a decade beating Cleveland 105-97 and they did it with great defense followed by a range of three’s.
“It makes it so much more special to have gone through some down years and injuries and transition from a roster standpoint, and to be able to sit here six years later from my rookie year and hold this trophy, this is an unbelievable experience,” said Stephen Curry.
The League’s MVP had been completely outstanding throughout the playoff run, his teammates superb and Andre Iguodala phenomenal in shutting down the league’s best player. You have to tip your hat to James who carried the Cavs on his back despite the injuries, leaving his team short-handed throughout the year. What he did alone should be in the history books.
“Tried as much as we could to try to make up for those guys, but it’s a lot of talent sitting in suits,” James said. “I’ve had a lot of playoff runs, been on both ends, and I know one thing that you’ve got to do during the playoff run, you’ve got to be healthy. You’ve got to be healthy. You’ve got to be playing great at the right time. You’ve got to have a little luck. And we were playing great, but we had no luck and weren’t healthy.”
But last night, the celebration belonged to the city of Oakland who had to take a backseat to teams across the bridge. The San Francisco Giants and the 49ers have tasted the champagne. Both teams have had the pleasure of winning championships for years. Now we cross the bridge over to Oakland, to a city where teams have taken turns looking for a new location.
The momentum has shifted, the curse lifted, Oakland has a new champion and guess what? Maybe more victories can follow the suit because two more professional teams have a chance to make history just like the Warriors did.
One year of dedication, no expectations other than winning every game during the regular season. First year head coach Steve Kerr didn’t know what to expect when he took over the team this year. But he had confidence that his team had the ability to play hard everyday.
“I was well aware of the versatility that the roster had,” said Kerr. “But as I got to know the players, I realized they had what it took spiritually, emotionally. They were united. They wanted to win. They were close.”
The chemistry the team had last season was certainly an accomplishment of former head coach Mark Jackson. He taught them the faith of God can bring victory anywhere. Especially to a young talented team that saw each individual as an equal. Everyone wanted to be good and compete, that’s when one player stepped up as a leader so others can follow. Curry who loves playing basketball, perfected his shooting ability and the entire team took advantage in practice everyday.
“We played hard competing with one another in practice and I think that helped us carry it over to games,” the series MVP Iguodala said. “Starting those games in practice helped me in the Finals.’
“My mind was working so many ways. Like ‘What’s going to happen if you win? What’s going to happen if you lose? How do you approach the game starting? Do you come out firing? Do you let it come to you? For me it was just playing my game and what has helped me in my career so long.”
Iguodala never started a game during the regular season but that changed in the Finals. And it was his defense that shut down James forcing him to shoot only 38.1 percent from the field. He finished the series averaging 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds. In game 6 Iguodala scored 25 points and added 5 rebounds. He was the best player in the playoffs and deserved to be named the Finals MVP.
“He was great the entire series. But he saved this season for us,” said Draymond Green. “I always say Andre’s a pro’s pro. He’s a professional guy, and it showed, and that’s why he’s the MVP of the series, and that’s why we’re champions.”
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024
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Activism
‘Donald Trump Is Not a God:’ Rep. Bennie Thompson Blasts Trump’s Call to Jail Him
“Donald Trump is not a god,” U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.
By Post Staff
U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said he not intimidated by President-elect Donald Trump, who, during an interview on “Meet the Press,” called for the congressman to be jailed for his role as chairman of the special congressional committee investigating Trump’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021, mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.
“Donald Trump is not a god,” Thompson told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.
“He can’t prove it, nor has there been any other proof offered, which tells me that he really doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” said the 76-year-old lawmaker, who maintained that he and the bipartisan Jan. 6 Select Committee – which referred Trump for criminal prosecution – were exercising their constitutional and legislative duties.
“When someone disagrees with you, that doesn’t make it illegal; that doesn’t even make it wrong,” Thompson said, “The greatness of this country is that everyone can have their own opinion about any subject, and so for an incoming president who disagrees with the work of Congress to say ‘because I disagree, I want them jailed,’ is absolutely unbelievable.”
When asked by The Grio if he is concerned about his physical safety amid continued public ridicule from Trump, whose supporters have already proven to be violent, Thompson said, “I think every member of Congress here has to have some degree of concern, because you just never know.”
This story is based on a report from The Grio.
Activism
City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library
“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”
The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades
Special to the Post
The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.
Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.
“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”
“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”
“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”
“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”
“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”
The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.
The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.
The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
About the Oakland Public Library
The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org
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