Fans harness superstitions and lucky socks to help Warriors win

It was the lucky socks.

The Golden State Warriors won the NBA championship - their second in three seasons - and Goose Orozco, 35, of Santa Rosa is sure the pair of socks he waved around his head is the reason why.

It also could have been Brian Shield’s beard, thick and red since the 26-year-old electrician let it grow at the start of the playoffs about two months ago.

Luck flowed Monday at Sprenger’s Tap Room on B Street in downtown Santa Rosa with people doing what they could to help their team close out the Cleveland Cavaliers. They held their breaths, they stood up, they put down the cheeseburgers when it was important to do so. They brought rituals, charms and talismans to herald an auspicious night for their team.

“It was everything I wanted it to be, and more - and I stood right there,” said Mark Flowers, 34, pointing to the spot by the door where he was sure to stand when the game heated up.

Sebastopol retirees Dave Murphy, 72, and Mike Bell, 66, sat at the second table from the window. That’s where they watched the Warriors win the first three games of the NBA Finals. They were seated outside at the patio Friday, when their team lost in Cleveland and broke their hearts. The two made sure to avoid that mistake Monday.

“I came here an hour early to get this table,” said Murphy, laughing and noting he also called ahead to make sure it was available.

Seated at a patio table, Francis Mach, 40, was back in his hometown, visiting from Dubai where he wears the No. 11 jersey as a point guard with the Fly Emirates team. Mach - who hooped at both Montgomery High and Rancho Cotate High - always feels more secure the Warriors will play to their ability when he’s on American soil.

“This is it,” said Greg Goben, who clapped his hands with an authoritative faith with the Warriors up 103-95. “My confidence is building every second.”

Goben, 53 of Rohnert Park, also felt sure of the power of the blue Warriors cap he inherited from a dear friend who died, and which he wore Monday.

Santa Rosa resident Jennifer Pobor, 38, remembered to dress her miniature poodle in Steph Curry’s No. 30 jersey, which she neglected to do Friday, the day the Warriors lost 137-116 at Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena. Nicholas May, 28, of Santa Rosa, was in Cleveland for the game, and nothing felt right that night. He got a beer dumped over his head. He said some Cavs fans tried to pick fights. He had traveled with Bruce Chin, 49, of Santa Rosa, to watch the game, and they were relieved to be back at Sprenger’s for Monday’s game.

“We were so eager to get back,” Chin said.

“I’d rather be here surrounded by fans, my people,” May said.

It all paid off, a collective fan-driven effort to fuel the team with whatever magic helped Kevin Durant to score 39 points, Stephen Curry 34, and all the assists, rebounds and teamwork needed for the night to turn out as it should.

On cue, pub owner Kevin Springer played Queen’s “We Are The Champions.” He climbed onto the bar and threw up his arms.

The fans went wild.