John F. Kennedy observed that “leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” The Warriors sit on the cusp of their first Finals appearance in 40 years because they’ve benefitted all season from strong leadership. That leadership has been well-covered. What is still underrated is just how open to learning and adapting those leaders have been. Steve Kerr and his staff have guided the Warriors to this point not because they have unshakeable views on how the Warriors should play, but because they’re constantly questioning it.
At shoot-around, before the Warriors try to sweep the second-best team in the Western Conference, Kerr summed up the secret to his coaching staff’s success with his typical succinctness: “Each series presents a totally different set of problems, and you just have to adapt.