Of Course Jerry West Thinks Warriors Fans Are ‘Much Better’ Than Lakers Fans

Jerry West
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The Los Angeles Lakers’ home crowd is one of the most unique in sports. There’s nothing quite like the “seen and be seen” atmosphere at Staples Center, and that’s continued since the purple and gold’s descent to the league cellar over the past two seasons, too.

Madison Square Garden crowds are the closest approximation to the Lakers’, but there’s a key difference between the goings on at New York City’s hallowed hoops ground and Los Angeles’ gleaming arena: Basketball still takes utmost precedence at its mecca. But that’s not always the case at Lakers games, and was even true during the team’s early and late 2000s heydays – they’re social events nearly as much athletic ones.

Considering that completely acceptable reality, it’s no shock that Los Angeles legend Jerry West doesn’t seem too fond of his former team’s home crowd. Even less surprising? On The Jim Rome Show earlier this week, “The Logo” said he far prefers Golden State Warriors fans to Lakers followers.

West, an 8-time NBA champion as a player and executive said on The Jim Rome Show there’s no better fan base than Golden State’s.

“Incredible fans, best fans I’ve ever seen in my life, to be honest with you. I’ve never seen anything like it. It just has been a thrill for me to be a part of it,” West said.

Spending most of his playing and management career with the Los Angeles Lakers, West was asked if Golden State fans were better or just different than Laker fans.

“Oh, much better than L.A. fans. Ok, much better, they don’t ever leave the game,” West said.


West, obviously, isn’t exactly an unbiased party; he’s been a consultant for the Warriors since 2011.

But his opinion passes muster nonetheless. Golden State has the best home court advantage in basketball. Its crowd has been considered one of the league’s most committed and intense for years, and the recent success of owner Joe Lacob’s team has only increased Oracle Arena’s fervor.

Anyone who’s ever had the pleasure of attending a home Warriors game over the past few years fully understands how “Roaracle” got its nickname. Just ask LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers how difficult it was to play in Oakland during June’s NBA Finals.

The truth shouldn’t be incendiary, and West, despite what Lakers fans likely believe, was simply telling it. If Los Angeles ever regains the championship form their Northern California rivals enjoyed in 2014-15, maybe he’ll have legitimate reason to change his mind. But we doubt it.

(Via jimrome.com) (h/t r/nba)

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