OAKLAND, Calif. — There are times at this ugly concrete complex next to the freeway when you wonder why anyone would rather be anywhere else.

It happens during Raiders games when the costumed inhabitants of the Black Hole lustily cheer, or when the denizens of Section 149 in the outfield bleachers are in full throat during another October rush for the underdog A’s.

And it happens on nights like Thursday when the Warriors are raining 3-pointers from the rafters of Oracle Arena, and the opponent and the referee’s whistle are no match for the roar of 20,000 hysterical fans wearing matching yellow T-shirts.

As the faithful congregate again for Game 2 of the N.B.A. finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday evening, you cannot help thinking: Is this mighty Oakland’s last hurrah as one of America’s great professional sports cities?