Coming off their worst loss of the season–a defeat at the hands of the Phoenix Suns at home–the Golden State Warriors showed championship resolve for really the first time during the 2018-19 campaign. With Kevin Durant sidelined by an ankle injury, the Warriors went on the road to take on the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder, the two Western Conference teams many are projected to give the defending champs trouble. Missing the two-time Finals MVP, Golden State came away with two statement wins.
The discourse surrounding the NBA has become increasingly reactionary with the rise of social media, prioritizing hot takes over nuanced analysis.