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OAKLAND – Well before he became a three-time NBA All-Star and one of the league’s most dynamic point guards, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard strolled through Oracle Arena and met almost any Warriors player he wanted to see.

Nearly 18 years ago, the Oakland native attended Warriors games at Oracle Arena with either his dad, brother or cousins without emptying much of their wallet. At halftime, they enjoyed free food and drinks in the media’s work room. Then they breezed through the arena’s hallways and collected autographs from any Warriors player they saw.

“I’m pretty sure we weren’t supposed to be back there,” Lillard said, laughing. “But security was so whatever. We literally did the same thing every game.”

Much has changed since then. Since Lillard’s rookie season in 2012-13, the Warriors have won three NBA championships out of four Finals appearances and have made the playoffs in six of the past seven years. Security monitors the arena hallway with tighter scrutiny for Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. And Lillard has spent that time attending Oracle Arena as a player instead of a fan.

Lillard downplayed any sentimental feelings for when the Warriors (23-12) host the Portland Trail Blazers (19-15) on Thursday for the final time at Oracle Arena. But with the Warriors planning to play in Chase Center in San Francisco beginning in the 2019-20 season, Lillard’s association with the Warriors’ home arena will change.

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“I don’t really think about it. The building really is more significant to my childhood than me playing there,” Lillard said. “When I come here, I’m playing in my hometown. When they start to come to San Francisco, my family is still going to come there either way. But the memories of it and what it used to be is going to be different.”

Lillard’s words did not just reflect his upbringing in East Oakland. Lillard also has unique perspective about the Warriors’ pending move to Chase Center amid frequent conversations with his hometown friends and family members. He has heard from those at his alma mater when he returns to Oakland High School, which both hosts his retired jersey and refurbished gym that he funded. Lillard also has listened to Oakland residents when he has hosted his annual summer barbecue at Brookfield Park that features free food and live music.

“They’re upset about it. It’s one of those things where success comes and you’re going to up and move,” Lillard said. “A lot of the real Warriors fans, a lot of times they can’t go to the games. They can’t afford it. At that time, we were able to go to the games. Nowadays, a really good ticket is way more expensive to do everything. The people who are real Warriors fans aren’t able to get into the games.”

That was not the case for Lillard as a young child.

Then, Lillard’s father had season tickets during the 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons for about 10 rows up directly across from the visitor’s beach. Lillard recalled the tickets were “pretty cheap” for an obvious reason. Those Warriors teams finished with a combined 57-189 record.

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That did not dampen Lillard’s fun. He walked with his dad, older brother and cousin to Oracle Arena. They watched some basketball. They snuck into the media work room at halftime to consume free hot dogs, Sprites and waters. They watched more basketball, many of them ending in blowouts. Once those ended, Lillard and his family members raced to either the arena’s hallway near the locker room or by the loading dock to meet the players.

Then, Lillard collected “multiple autographs” from Gilbert Arenas, Adonal Foyle, Mookie Blaylock, Larry Hughes, Bob Sura, John Starks, Tony Farmer, among others. One time, Lillard had snuck near the locker room and picked up a sweaty Troy Murphy jersey before putting it back in the laundry bin.

“It was like anything goes,” Lillard said, chuckling. “That’s what I remember the most.” Related Articles Warriors’ Kevon Looney played last season ‘scared to move’

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Nothing compared to 2000 NBA All-Star weekend, though. Then, Lillard attended the league’s jam session fan events by the parking lot outside of Oracle Arena. Lillard attended the NBA dunk contest that Vince Carter won partly by performing two reverse 360 degree windmill dunks. Lillard then watched the All-Star game that ended with Tim Duncan and Shaquille O’Neal winning the MVP award.

“I didn’t go to school that whole week,” Lillard said.

Perhaps Lillard produces another memory at the Warriors’ expense during his last visit at Oracle Arena. Or perhaps the Warriors rectify their recent Christmas Day loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Either way, Lillard admittedly will struggle with the finality.

“The Warriors are going to San Francisco; it’s just crazy to think about it,” Lillard said. “That’s such a big part of my childhood.”

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