The Golden State Warriors celebrated their latest NBA championship Thursday, waving to the crowd from atop double-decker buses as their victory parade weaved through the streets of downtown Oakland. The jubilant players hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy and gave high fives to their fans as confetti filled the air. The parade ended on the shores of Lake Merritt where coach Steve Kerr and the players addressed the crowd during an 80-minute rally. "We need to enjoy this to the fullest," star guard Stephen Curry said. "This whole day, this whole atmosphere, is unbelievable." The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games to win the title, capping a brilliant 15-1 post-season run. It was the second parade in three seasons for the Warriors. "There is nobody having more fun than me," Warriors owner Joe Lacob said. "This is the best job in the world." The championship was the first of forward Kevin Durant's career, and the NBA Finals MVP took in the moment. Durant's decision to depart the Oklahoma City Thunder and join the Warriors was criticized by many, but winning the title provided redemption for the NBA star. "It means the world for me to win the championship," Durant told the crowd. "Hopefully we can keep it going. Thank you for the support. "It has been a crazy year for me. Going through this year was so much fun. You come into work each day and it is more like fun." Golden State went 40 years between titles after winning the crown in 1975. Three of the franchise's five titles were secured after the team moved to the Bay Area from Philadelphia. Warriors forward Draymond Green appeared to take some shots at the Cavs. Green wore a T-shirt that read, "Quickie," with the "Q'' styled to mimic the logo on the Cavs' Quicken Loans Arena, which is referred to as The Q. Green told NBC Bay Area that the shirt reflected the Warriors' quick win over the Cavaliers. At the rally, Green mocked James' contention that James had never played for a super team. Green said James had started the super team concept. James teamed up with All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat to win his first championship in 2012. The Warriors have been dubbed a super team with the addition of Durant. The Warriors are headed to San Francisco, where they broke ground this year on a new arena slated to open in 2019. Oakland is also losing one of its other beloved teams, the Raiders, to Las Vegas, and the city is still reeling from a police scandal and mourning a deadly warehouse fire. So Thursday was a rare chance for the city to celebrate. — Agencies
