Cast aside, for a moment, San Francisco’s obvious advantages in glamour, site aesthetics, luxury-suite potential and corporate sponsorship. Speaking strictly as a fan, exactly what’s wrong with Oracle? It’s a fabulous place to watch a game. It could not be more accessible, by car or public transit. It harbors all the essential amenities, thanks to the well-conceived reconstruction project. And for some reason, the Warriors always draw.

It doesn’t matter if they’re playing .380 ball, fed up with their coach, bickering among themselves or making all the wrong personnel decisions. You’d think you were at the most happening party in town – every time. It’s not even real, when you think about it. Lousy products are doomed to fail, but this one positively thrives.

I’m not saying the Warriors won’t draw in San Francisco. This is an astonishingly fine location, and the sheer novelty would pack the joint for a couple of years. But say the next five seasons bring a playoff drought, the type we’ve endured forever. There’s no chance that S.F. arena would sell out. It’s a different crowd, a different vibe, lacking that pure Oakland soul.

via Bruce Jenkins of The San Francisco Chronicle