Warriors celebrate with parade

STEPHEN Curry, daughter Riley and wife Ayesha were all smiles during the Golden State Warriors’ victory parade in Oakland, California, Friday. The Warriors ended their 40-year NBA title drought by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-2, in the finals. AFP

OAKLAND—Thousands of Bay Area basketball fans gathered on the streets of Oakland for Friday’s Golden State Warriors victory parade in celebration of their first NBA title in 40 years.

The Warriors beat Cleveland, 105-97, in game six, Tuesday at Cleveland to capture their first crown since 1975, with the march ending at the city’s convention center so players could thank loyal long-suffering fans for their support and show off the championship trophy.

“Thank you all for supporting us all these years,” said NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Andre Iguodala. “I appreciate  you all. We finally did it.”    Steph Curry, the Warriors top scorer who set a record for 3-pointers made in a single playoff run, won NBA regular season Most Valuable Player honors and sparked Golden State to an NBA-best 67 wins this season.  AFP