The trouble in playing the Warriors is that they will always set the rules of engagement. Opponents who resist this fact are promptly overwhelmed. Those who accept it are forced into a game or a series that naturally tilts in favor of the defending champs; Golden State's roster is built to play a very specific brand of basketball, and the vast majority of teams don't have the personnel to beat the Warriors at their own game.
This is why the Rockets, who tailored their roster and approach specifically to counter the Warriors, made for such an exceptional challenger.