Warriors hold tipoff celebration in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Hard to believe for Golden State Warriors fans, but it is almost basketball season again. The preseason has already started! On Wednesday, the Dubs held a tipoff celebration at San Francisco City Hall with local officials and some very happy kids. The Warriors got a blue carpet welcome from the city preparing to be their new home.

Kenneth Chen won a nifty watch. But the real prize was spending time among champions.

"They really listen to my words and you know, most of what I say is just telling 'em to work hard," said Festus Ezeli said.

The Warriors center taught a clinic at the tipoff for the upcoming season. Though the Warriors still play in Oakland, there they were at San Francisco City Hall.

'Y'all know what blue carpet means, this is Warriors Ground!" said Mayor Ed Lee.

VIDEO: Highlights from the Golden State Warriors' victory parade and rally

Days earlier, the Dubs announced they've bought the land for a new arena near Mission Bay.

"We present to you the highest honor our city has, and that is the key to the city and county of San Francisco," Lee said.

You could almost call Ed Lee the mayor of Dub Nation.

But if you ask the players, they come off as the ultimate diplomats in all this, pointing out this is not a San Francisco 49ers or Oakland Raiders sort of affair. When it comes to NBA basketball, they're the only game in either town.

"You know, we're the only basketball team here," said Ezeli. "There's two football teams, two baseball teams, and so the basketball team gets the whole support of the whole Bay Area."

PHOTOS: Golden State Warriors Victory Parade

And they're gonna need that support, says Draymond Green. Cause this year, the other teams aren't pulling any punches.

"Because everybody wants to beat you just because you're the defending champion," he said.

They'll have MVP Steph Curry. But they're starting the season without their head coach, who is still battling a back injury.

"Our thoughts and prayers are gonna stay with Steve," said Warriors General Manager Bob Meyers.

In the meantime, they'll do what they do best -- play as a team.

"And on this team no one really cares who gets the headlines in the paper or who gets that highlight on ESPN, we all just want to win," said Klay Thompson.

Click here for full coverage on the Warriors.