OAKLAND — After the official festivities were done, after the team selfies with the Larry O’Brien trophy, after Justin Holiday danced on stage to “I’m in love with the Coco” and … Stephen Curry had one last wish.

He wanted another photo with the trophy. But for this one, he wanted his wife, Ayesha, with him. And he wanted The Essex, the apartments towering over Lake Merritt, in the background. That’s where he first lived as a Warrior.

“Where it all started,” Curry said, taking a moment to stare out one last time into the sea of blue and gold. “In Oakland.”

Friday’s parade and rally was a coronation of the 2015 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors. But it was also a celebration of Oakland. From the gorgeous weather and picturesque backdrops, to the fervent crowds and the ever-present spirit of “The Town,” to MC Hammer and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf riding on top of a snail float.

It was right to have this in Oakland. Especially because this particular edition of the Warriors and this particular city have a certified connection.

And while the plans are for the team to move into a fancy new arena in San Francisco, and while they are regarded as the Bay Area’s team, this day was about the current hosts of the beloved Warriors.

“This was a beautiful day in The Town,” said Kim Bardakian, director of public relations for Visit Oakland, who worked with ABC to get more footage of Oakland in the NBA Finals broadcasts. “The world was able to see the beauty and diversity of Oakland, which is something Oaklanders already know and love. The Warriors’ championship run highlighted the best of Oakland.”

The very players who were being honored went out of their way to honor Oakland right back.

Klay Thompson pointed to the apartments in which he once lived. Andre Iguodala called Oakland the place he loved and posed backstage with Oakland police officers. Draymond Green had Oakland native Marshawn Lynch tag along with him.

It makes sense these cast of Warriors would have an affinity for this city. The similarities are obvious, especially to the players who’ve been here awhile.

These Warriors are flashy and stylish in presentation, the way they play on the court. Yet at their core, why they’re successful, is because of their willingness to grind. Just like Oakland.

These Warriors are underappreciated on a national scale, where mostly perception replaces reality. But by those who are around them, who’ve experienced them, they are unapologetically adored, flaws and all. Just like Oakland.

“Our mentality embodies what Oakland is about,” Green said after using his speech to needle coach Steve Kerr and later dancing with the trophy on stage. “The Town has embraced us like no other. Some people only see the negatives in Oakland. But there is so much good here. It was the same with us. People doubted us, said what we couldn’t do. And look where we are.”

According to a Warriors official, an estimated 1.1 million people turned out for the parade and rally. And the love was epic. Walking around the festivities, it felt as if this was indeed the first championship parade in Oakland since before the Raiders left for Los Angeles.

It was crazy. How loud it became when the parade whisked by. How crammed together people were. Kerr said it was the best of the six parades he has been part of, three coming in Chicago and two in San Antonio.

More than once, Curry got caught up in the emotion of it all. As the bus with him and Iguodala turned the corner near the Cathedral of Christ the Light, Curry leaned forward with both arms raised screaming to the audience. He was so animated that he lost his balance a bit.

“I almost fell off the bus twice,” Curry said. “I was just thinking, ‘Grab the trophy.’ I don’t mind if I fall. Just make sure the trophy doesn’t.”

This is not an indictment of San Francisco, or a slight to the surrounding cities that support the Warriors. The entire East Bay has long been rabid in its support of the Warriors, and the team likes to point out it has a substantial ticket base in the West Bay.

If nothing else, this past season proved their fan base is vast and passionate.

But Friday wasn’t about the entire fan base but about Oakland, its culture and passion and role in the Warriors becoming champions. It was about a city poppin’ its collar as a legitimate sports town with fans any team would love.

If the Warriors get their wish, they will take the team away from Oakland. But no one will be able to take away the reputation of maniacal support this city has established. And no one will be able to take away the day when that was properly celebrated.

Read Marcus Thompson II’s blog at blogs.mercurynews.com/thompson. Contact him at mthomps2@bayareanewsgroup.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ThompsonScribe.