SAN FRANCISCO — The New Orleans Pelicans know they’re not in Louisiana anymore when they play the Warriors at Oracle Arena in front of a raucous crowd that only grows louder during the playoffs.
“I’m not so sure that the decibel level is legal there, and I’m serious,” Williams said before Game 2 of the first-round series Monday. “They’ve done studies on that. Being on the competition committee, there’s got to be something to that because it does get a little out of hand.
“I’ve talked about it for years, they’ve got some of the best fans in the league here, and they show up early. The music before the game, they’re playing old school music, and it’s right above your locker room. And you’re like, ‘These people are crazy, man. This is pretty cool.’ So I’m sure it has an effect, but after a few minutes, it’s just basketball.”
The Pelicans’ Ryan Anderson also said the atmosphere at Oracle Arena in Game 1 on Sunday featured a “crazy crowd.” He would know, having played at Cal and occasionally attended Warriors game during his college days.
“It’s just a diehard group,” said Anderson, who grew up in Sacramento.
“It’s a cool experience to be here in the playoffs. Obviously with the team’s success, the crowd is just even more into it this year, which is fun.”
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