The general perception of the Warriors throughout this oscillating season has been transparent: They’re still the best team in the NBA, but a wave of injuries and three extended postseason runs has corroded their tip-to-buzzer vitality.
That the team that spent the previous three regular seasons setting a record for most wins in such a span has nothing to prove in regular-season No. 4.
That changed to a seismic degree Thursday night, when Steve Kerr took a flamethrower to his team’s performance in Indianapolis and Kevin Durant casually pushed back.
The Warriors now have something to prove in the regular season.