Every fanbase has its own unique tradition. However, the iconic cowbells of Sacramento Kings fans won’t be welcome in the Warriors’ home arena.
This is the first postseason appearance for the Kings in nearly two decades so a lot of general NBA fans haven’t yet been introduced to their iconic cowbells. Many casual fans their first real glimpse (and listen) to the phenomenon when a viral video circulated Tuesday night of a Kings fan ringing his bell incessantly and aggressively right behind Warriors GM Bob Myers.
Kings fan sitting behind Bob Myers going hard on the cowbell all night pic.twitter.com/jxfe82YNLw
— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) April 18, 2023
Why do Kings fans ring cowbells?
The tradition began with an insult from then-Lakers head coach Phil Jackson, who called Sacramento a “cow town.” The fans turned that shade into a source of pride and began bringing and ringing cowbells at every game.
However, they won’t be ringing them in San Francisco as their first-round series shifts to the Warriors’ home arena.
Warriors will make Kings fans ‘check’ their cowbells at Chase Center gates
Any Kings fan who arrives at the Warriors’ Chase Center with a cowbell will reportedly be directed to deliver it to an outdoor bag check location. They can then retrieve it there after the game is over.
🚨 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫:
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) April 19, 2023
Cowbells will not be permitted at Chase Center. Any fan carrying a cowbell will be directed to the outdoor bag check location, where they can check their cowbell and retrieve at the conclusion of the game.
The Warriors have every right to protect their home arena but this certainly sets the stage for some shenanigans. Keep your ears on tonight’s broadcast of Game 3 to see if any enterprising Kings fans are able to smuggle in a bell and get a few clangs off before they’re kicked out. Surely some obsessed Kings fan is going to figure out a way to circumvent security and do some trolling.
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